Timeline of motor and engine technology 1698 - Thomas Savery builds a steam-powered water pump for pumping water out of mines 1712 - Thomas Newcomen builds a piston-and-cylinder steam-powered water pump for pumping water out of mines 1769 - James Watt patents his first improved steam engine 1821 - Michael Faraday builds an electricity-powered motor 1876 - Nikolaus Otto designs a four-stroke internal combustion engine 1892 - Rudolf Diesel patents the Diesel engine 1888 - Nikola Tesla patents the induction motor