864433 John Smeaton\'s adaptation of Newcome\'s steam engine, 1812 Engraving; (add.info.: John Smeaton\'s (1724-92) English civil engineer, adaptation of Thomas Newcomen\'s (1663-1729) steam engine. From "The Cyclopaedia: or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Science and Literature" edited by Abraham Rees (London, 1820). Responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthouses. He was also a capable mechanical engineer and an eminent physicist. Smeaton was the first self-proclaimed civil engineer, and often regarded as the "father of civil engineering".); Universal History Archive/UIG; out of copyright.