Final answer:
James Watt's steam engine patent expired in 1800, following a parliamentary act that extended the original grant. The expiration of the Watt patent allowed open manufacturing, further accelerating the Industrial Revolution as industries could freely utilize the steam engine technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expiration of James Watt's Steam Engine Patent
James Watt (1736-1819), a renowned Scottish engineer and inventor, significantly improved the efficiency of the steam engine. His first patent, for a method of reducing the consumption of steam and consequently fuel in fire engines, was granted in 1769. Watt followed this by securing an additional patent 9 years later for a steam engine that could produce rotary motion. Due to his partnership with Matthew Boulton, Watt was able to extend his original patent by an Act of Parliament until 1800. After securing the patent rights, their first commercial steam engine was installed in 1776, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of the Industrial Revolution. Their enhanced design, which provided rotary motion, was crucial in evolving the engine's applications, transforming it from primarily pumping water to powering factory machinery. The expiration of Watt's patent in 1800 allowed his engine design to be manufactured openly by others, stimulating further innovation and competition in the rapidly industrializing world.
The Watt steam engine was a cornerstone in the history of the Industrial Revolution, and the expiration of Watt's patent was a significant event that freed up the market for various industries to utilize steam power without the constraints of patent licensing.