Oliver Evans
Oliver Evans (1755-1819): High Pressure Steam Engine
Oliver Evans made significant contributions to the advancement of the industrial revolution in America. In 1784, at the age of 29, Evans designed and built a factory, using custom-modified machinery, conveyors, elevators and scales to grind grain into finished flour. His production cost-saving (estimated to be around 50%) designs were widely adopted throughout the American flour milling industry. Evans also successfully patented his high-pressure steam engine in 1790. He envisioned many applications for his innovative steam engines including motorized land transportation, sowing grain, sawmill operation, boring and drilling machines as well as the processing of cotton, tobacco and paper.
The appendix contains a concise account of the invention and improvement of steam engines.