James Watt patented a sun and planet gear system, a crucial invention that converted the reciprocating motion of his steam engine into continuous rotary motion. This innovation, developed in Birmingham, England, in partnership with Matthew Boulton, allowed steam engines to drive factory machinery directly, opening the door for steam power in manufacturing. The Soho Manufactory became the first site to use this new engine.

The sun and planet gear is a symbol of the machine's ability to mimic and surpass human and animal motion. This mechanical 'perfection' was a source of both inspiration and fear for poets, who saw in such devices the potential for both liberation and alienation, a central theme in the industrial literature of the 19th century.