January 19th 1736: the birth of James Watt (1736-1819), who made significant developments to the steam engine which changed the world, helping to bring in the Industrial Revolution. He was born and educated in Greenock, and although he did not go on to university, he was given a workshop in Glasgow University by two famous professors, the physicist Joseph Black and the economist Adam Smith.
The Steamboat is an old tune. It's found as a French song called Bon Voyage, Monsieur Dumollet! in the early 19th century, but many sources have it as a Scottish jig. In Ireland it's known as The Kilfenora Jig, with the parts reversed.
The Anchor Steam Reel was composed by Brian McNeill and named after a brand of beer.
