Why did James Watt avoid using high-pressure steam?

James Watt, a Scottish instrument maker and inventor, avoided using high-pressure steam primarily due to concerns regarding safety.1

While Watt was aware of the potential advantages of utilizing the expansive power of steam within a cylinder, he remained cautious and considered the use of "strong steam" to be too dangerous to harness. This reluctance to adopt high-pressure steam limited the potential applications of his engines during his career.21

In contrast, other inventors such as Richard Trevithick and Oliver Evans later successfully harnessed high-pressure steam to create more compact and powerful engines, which eventually led to significant advancements in transportation and industrial machinery.21