Engraving depicting Thomas Newcomens atmospheric steam engine; 1705. The boiler is at A); and the piston H); is pushed by steam up the open cylinder C): it descends due to atmospheric pressure when steam in the cylinder is cooled and condensed by water from cistern; G). Thomas Newcomen (1664-1729) an English inventor who created the first practical steam engine in 1712. Dated 19th century.