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The business model was for Boulton & Watt to provide the engine for free while the mine owner paid them fees based on the tonnage of coal saved. A more sophist
by varjag 6y ago
The business model was for Boulton & Watt to provide the engine for free while the mine owner paid them fees based on the tonnage of coal saved.
A more sophisticated business model than a good chunk of 21st century tech startups!
- mannykannot 6y agoThe mine owners were not at all pleased with this arrangement, as they were well aware that they ended up paying much more than the cost of building the engine. I believe this business model only lasted as long as Boulton and Watt could enforce their monopoly on engine construction through patents (principally on the separate condenser.) As for the 21st century, you may have noticed an enthusiasm for burdening simple products with subscriptions.