Isaac Potter Builds the First Atmospheric (Newcomen) Engine in Central Europe

Between 1721 and 1722 English engineer Isaac Potter constructed the first atmospheric steam Engine in Königsberg bei Schemnitz (now Banska Štiavnica, central Slovakia). Potter was recruited by Joseph Emanuel Fischer to travel to Austria to construct Newcomen engines. The silver mines of the Austrian Monarchy were constrained by flooding. Their waterwheels had reached their technical limits, and water supply was limited. The successful transfer of steam enginetechnology saved the Habsburg state from bankruptcy when the steam engine replaced waterwheels in the battle against mining pit water.