The steam engine was invented in 1763. It is a faster way to move around. There are a couple of people who invented it. These two are James Watt and Robert Folten. Before the steam engine, people traveled by train and horses. It took them a long time to get where they were going. Before the invention of the steam engine it was hard to travel and it was a lot slower.
Sources
“Steam engine” New Book of knowledge encyclopedia 2005 volume 17
“Steam engine” The Golden age of the steam boat 2009 pg. 2/5/ 9