Britannica
Sources used in this answer
When did James Watt apply the centrifugal governor to his engine?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
James Watt
James Watt, oil painting by H. Howard; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
James Watt applied the centrifugal governor to his steam engine in 1788, at the suggestion of his business partner, Matthew Boulton. This component was used for the automatic control of the engine's speed, helping to regulate the flow of steam.12