One significant invention made during the Age of Enlightenment was the steam engine, which played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution. Invented and improved upon by figures such as James Watt in the late 18th century, the steam engine harnessed steam power for mechanical work. This invention revolutionized transportation, leading to the development of steam locomotives and vessels, as well as powering factories. The steam engine catalyzed a shift from agrarian economies to industrialized societies, drastically increasing productivity and transforming the way people lived and worked. Its impact is still felt today in various technologies and industries.