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{{stub}}'''Steam power''' is one of the first methods developed for powering machines, and sparked the [[industrial revolution]]. It was developed early, because precision machining and tight-fitting pistons are not required for building effective steam engines.

'''Steam power''' is one of the first methods developed for powering machines, and sparked the [[industrial revolution]]. It was developed early, because precision machining and tight-fitting pistons are not required for building effective steam engines.

Steam has been superseded by [[electricity]] and [[internal combustion]] for some classes of machines, but remains important in others. Large stationery power plants, such as those used to drive generators in electric power plants, are often steam-driven, and, in fact in most nuclear power plants, the nuclear reactor boil water into superheated steam, which in turn drives the steam turbines which drive the generators.

Steam has been superseded by [[electricity]] and [[internal combustion]] for some classes of machines, but remains important in others. Large stationery power plants, such as those used to drive generators in electric power plants, are often steam-driven, and, in fact in most nuclear power plants, the nuclear reactor boil water into superheated steam, which in turn drives the steam turbines which drive the generators.