Fundementally its quite simple, and over engineering was the philosiphy of victorian engineers.
James Watt.
thomas savery in 1698
The first practical steam-powered 'engine' was a water pump, developed in 1698 by Thomas Savery.
Thomas Newcommen's invention was further developed by James Watt.
The obvious reason was to pull railroad cars. Why steam? Steam engines were the first type of reliable engine. The steam could be generated by wood or coal, both readily available. Steam engines were powerful and the steam pressure was controllable.
Steam engines provided a reliable source of power for industry.steam enignes had to work 24 hours a day which meant that people
Before the steam engine, the best one could hope for machines in work was wind- or water-mills. The steam engine generated much greater power, allowing not only more reliable results, but longer distances on which that energy could be used.
A steam engine is an external combustion engine. As the steam engine combusts outside of the engine itself.
A rotary steam engine was a fire engine basically
Steam is created in a steam engine by heating water in a boiler until it turns into steam. The steam then builds up pressure, which is used to power the engine and drive machinery.
noun: an engine worked by steam, typically one in which a sliding piston in a cylinder is moved by the expansive action of the steam generated in a boiler.A steam engine is an external combustion engine. As the steam engine combusts outside of the engine itself.
the steam engine was improved in 1769.