A beam engine is a type of steam engine that uses a pivoted overhead beam to transmit power from the vertical piston to the crankshaft. It is also known by several other names, including a walking beam engine, reciprocating beam engine, and overhead beam engine. The beam engine was a popular form of steam engine during the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily used in stationary factories, textile mills, and other industrial applications. Although the beam engine has been largely replaced by more efficient machines like the internal combustion engine, it remains an important symbol of the industrial revolution and the technological advancements that accompanied it.