Editing Newcomen atmospheric engine (section)

{{Short description|Early steam engine invented by Thomas Newcomen}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
[[File:Newcomen atmospheric engine animation.gif|thumb|Schematic Newcomen engine.<br>&ndash; Steam (pink), water (blue)<br>&ndash; Valves open (green), valves closed (red)]] 
The '''atmospheric engine''' was invented by [[Thomas Newcomen]] in 1712, and is sometimes referred to as the '''Newcomen fire engine''' (see below) or '''Newcomen engine'''. The engine was operated by condensing steam being drawn into the cylinder, thereby creating a partial vacuum which allowed atmospheric pressure to push the piston into the cylinder. It is significant as the first practical device to harness [[steam]] to produce [[mechanical work]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=Charles R. Morris; illustrations by J.E.|title=The dawn of innovation the first American Industrial Revolution|date=2012|publisher=PublicAffairs|location=New York|isbn=978-1-61039-049-1|page=42|edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n97K02J6eQgC&q=newcomen+in+1712}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  |url=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/motive_power/1920-124.aspx
  |title=Science Museum – Home – Atmospheric engine by Francis Thompson, 1791
  |publisher=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
  |access-date=6 July 2009
}}</ref>  Newcomen engines were used throughout Britain and Europe, principally to pump water out of [[mining|mines]]. Hundreds were constructed during the 18th century. [[James Watt]]'s [[Watt steam engine|later engine design]] was an improved version of the Newcomen engine that roughly doubled [[fuel efficiency]]. Many atmospheric engines were converted to the Watt design. As a result, Watt is today better known than Newcomen in relation to the origin of the [[steam engine]].