Steam-driven reciprocating beam

The original steam condensers were barometric condensers, which were used to increase the efficiency of the steam-driven reciprocating beam engines by a factor of 10. The barometric condenser was invented by James Watt (the steam engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen). Exhaust steam is mixed directly with cold water. As this creates a vacuum, the barometric condenser must be elevated about 30 ft above grade. The mixed condensate and cooling water drains through a pipe called a barometric leg—hence the name barometric condenser. 

The central idea of our industrialized society is to have machines do the work formerly done by humans or animals. The technical problem that kicked off the industrial revolution was flooding in the tin mines of Cornwall, a region in southern Britain. To work the mines and extract the valuable tin ore, steam-driven reciprocating pumps had been constructed. These plunger-type pumps were moved up and down by the famous beam engines, and these reciprocating engines were powered by steam, thanks to the efforts of Thomas Newcomen, in 1712. 

---