The Atmospheric Engine was invented by Newcomen Stonebreaker fifteen years ago at Cerro Rico.
The engine is a coal fired engine operated by condensing steam drawn into the cylinder, thereby creating a partial vacuum which allowed the atmospheric pressure to push the piston into the cylinder.
In Cerro Rico it proved key to replacing the hire and human powered pumps and ventilation systems that were currently in use. The Atmospheric Engine made much deeper mining possible and was instrumental in creating th Deep Workings.
The Atmospheric Engine is extremely fuel inefficient.