James Watt — "Every inefficiency in machinery is an insult to the engineer."

"I had gone to take a walk on a fine Sabbath afternoon, early in 1765... I was thinking upon the engine at the time... when the idea came into my mind that as steam was an elastic body it would rush in…"

"The power of steam is like a wild horse; it must be harnessed with precision."

"Dr Priestly (sic) was once very ill with gall stones & was cured by abstinence from Butcher meat. ... fish & vegetables & butter or fat did not hurt him when taken in moderation, but his Doctors must …"

"About 6 or 8 years ago My Ingenious friend Mr John Robinson having [contrived] conceived that a fire engine might be made without a Lever—by Inverting the Cylinder & placing it above the mouth of the …"

"I had gone on a walk on a fine Sabbath afternoon. I had entered the Green [of Glasgow] by the gate at the foot of Charlotte Street—had passed the old washing-house. I was thinking upon the engine at t…"