[jackb4040]

They improved the efficiency of coal?

[Ekaros]

Massively. Extracting more useful energy from coal has always been a goal.

Very much unlike with software. Where the goal for long while is to burn as many resources as possible on end user devices.

[TheCoelacanth]

Absolutely. Early engines were so inefficient that they could basically only be used in coal mines.

[reverius42]

I'm no expert, but burning coal inside a coal mine sounds like a really bad idea for several reasons.

[TheCoelacanth]

Most aspects of 18th century coal mining probably sound like really bad ideas. It's a notoriously dangerous job.

The engine would also typically be at the top of the mine, not deep inside it.

[technothrasher]

I assume the reference was to the Jevons paradox, as described in Jevons' 1865 book, "The Coal Question". Watt's steam engine massively increased the efficiency of coal in steam engines, which increased the use of coal fired steam engines, which increased coal consumption.

[goda90]

Of coal use, yes. That's what inspired this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox