What factor led to the initial clustering of Newcomen engines in regions like Cornwall?
Answer
The need for specialized ironwork and a constant, local supply of fuel (coal).
The initial deployment of Newcomen engines was highly localized near key mining districts such as Cornwall and the North East of England. This clustering was due to practical infrastructural requirements. Building these massive machines demanded significant initial capital outlay and required specialized expertise in large-scale iron casting and construction to produce the enormous cylinders and beams. Furthermore, because the engines were so thermally inefficient, they required a continuous and reliable local supply of coal to operate successfully; areas lacking cheap, accessible fuel could not sustain their operation, regardless of the mining needs.
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