The Search for 'Uniform and Equable Motion': A Study of the Early Methods of the Control of the Steam Engine.

During the 18th century the steam engine-@the philosophical engine'1 of the late 17th century-became a reality. The scientific-philosophical experiments and speculations of Della Porta, Robert Boyle, Denis Papin, Salmon de Caus, David Ramsay and Edward Somerset (the second Marquis of Worcester) were given economic and industrial importance, first by Savery who in 1702 set up a workshop for the production of his engines and gave"....notice to all proprietors of Mine and Collieries which are encumbered with Water", that they must be furnished with Engines to drain the same............