What was Watt's most important invention?
While the separate condenser was, I believe, the cornerstone of my improvements, it was the application of this principle that truly elevated the steam engine. By achieving a more consistent and powerful vacuum, and by ensuring a steady, rotary motion through mechanisms like the parallel motion, we unlocked the engine's potential. The centrifugal governor, a rather elegant application of centrifugal force, allowed for precise regulation of the engine's speed, making it suitable for the delicate operations of textile mills, for instance. These were not isolated inventions, but a system designed to improve the 'economy' of the engine – in fuel, in motion, and in overall utility.
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