One of the first steam engines — dubbed the Newcomen engine after its creator Thomas Newcomen — was also formidable at 9.5 meters long and tall.

The steam engine's story involves ingenuity and collaboration. Hero of Alexandria's early device showed steam's potential. Thomas Savery's engine pumped water from mines. James Watt improved ...

Pioneers like Thomas Newcomen and James Watt created ever-improving steam engines. Over time, horses fell by the wayside as people took to this new mode of transportation.