To put it simply, the invention of the steam engine is one of the greatest achievements of the Industrial Revolution. How important is the steam engine? Well, no industry has undertaken any sort of production without relying on it. Some credit James Watt for the invention of the steam engine, while some claim that Thomas Newcomen was the original inventor. However, the concept of using steam as a power source has been around practically since the beginning of time, although the use of steam as a vehicle propellant did not emerge until the 17th century.