James Watt was a Scottish engineer and inventor who is known for his work on the development of the steam engine. Some synonyms for James Watt include the father of the steam engine, the pioneer of the industrial revolution, and the inventor of the double-acting steam engine. He was also known as the creator of the Watt's linkage, a mechanical linkage invented in 1784 that was used in steam engines to convert reciprocating motion to rotary motion. James Watt's inventions and improvements to the steam engine made it possible for machines to replace human and animal labor, leading to significant changes in the way people worked and lived.