Which power sources did factories depend on before Watt’s steam engine became widespread?

Before the widespread adoption of James Watt’s steam engine, factories and industrial operations primarily relied on the following power sources:

• Waterpower: Waterwheels were the primary means of mechanical power production for centuries, used to grind grain, drive sawmills, operate bellows for furnaces, and power textile mills.123
• Wind power: Windmills served as a significant source of inanimate energy, often rivaling waterpower in certain regions.123
• Animate energy: This included both human and animal labor. Horses were frequently used to turn windlasses for mining operations, while human labor was employed for various manual tasks and to operate simpler machinery.23

These traditional sources were often unpredictable and geographically constrained, as they relied on specific environmental conditions like flowing water or wind. While atmospheric steam engines existed prior to Watt's improvements, their use was largely exceptional and restricted primarily to pumping water out of coal mines.453