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"A waterwheel which the water enters and leaves at all points on its circumference." -Foster, 1921

Turbine Wheel

"A waterwheel which the water enters and leaves at all points on its circumference." -Foster, 1921

Royal Mail Packet Company Stamp (10 cents) from 1875

Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Ten Cents Stamp, 1875

Royal Mail Packet Company Stamp (10 cents) from 1875

Standard hand reel for a weather kite used to study meteorology.

Kite Hand Reel

Standard hand reel for a weather kite used to study meteorology.

"The automatic hand or steam kite reel...is seen as it appears completely housed and not in use." -Department of Agriculture, 1899

Steam Kite Reel

"The automatic hand or steam kite reel...is seen as it appears completely housed and not in use." -Department…

"George Stephenson is emphatically the engineer to whose intelligence and perseverance we owe the introduction of railroads into England, and consequently into the United States. It was at Killingworth Colliery that he constructed his first locomotive." -Lupton

George Stephenson's First Locomotive

"George Stephenson is emphatically the engineer to whose intelligence and perseverance we owe the introduction…

"An instrument of the pump kind for raising water, especially when that liquid is mixed with solid matter. It acts by the condensation of waste steam sent into a reservoir, the water rushing up into the vacuum formed by the condensation." -Marshall

Water Pulsometer

"An instrument of the pump kind for raising water, especially when that liquid is mixed with solid matter.…

"The force-pump differs from others in having its piston solid, or without a valve, and also in having a side pipe with a valve opening outwards, through which the water is forced to any height required, or against any pressure that may oppose it." -Marshall

Steam-engine Force Pump

"The force-pump differs from others in having its piston solid, or without a valve, and also in having…

George Stephenson's locomotive, 'the rocket' was a great innovation towards the development of railroad engines.

The Rocket

George Stephenson's locomotive, 'the rocket' was a great innovation towards the development of railroad…

An apparatus which, being fitted to ships and driven by steam, propels them through the water.

Screw-propeller

An apparatus which, being fitted to ships and driven by steam, propels them through the water.

Apparatus used for distillation, separating liquid from the impurities contained in it. A, reservoir; B, light for heating; C, connecting tube; D, steam passes into; E, pipe where cold water is supplied; F, discharged liquid; H, pure water.

Distillation

Apparatus used for distillation, separating liquid from the impurities contained in it. A, reservoir;…

"They sometimes take a position near some steam and remain for hours immovable. When a fish comes within reach, they will dart upon it with great rapidity."

Kingfisher

"They sometimes take a position near some steam and remain for hours immovable. When a fish comes within…

"This term is applied indiscriminately to evaporators with steam-pipe, whether arranged in the form of a coil, or, as more commonly used, in a rectangular series, In some the steam is admitted through a main pipe, from which others lead off at right angles, terminating in a similar main, which receives and carries off the condensed water of all...Still another, and the most convenient plan, thought not without some objectives, consists in admitting the steam at one end of the coil allowing it to ass progressively through the whole, driving the condensed water, which it will do, though imperfectly, before it." -Commissioner, 1865

Steam-Coil Evaporator

"This term is applied indiscriminately to evaporators with steam-pipe, whether arranged in the form…

"In this mode of evaporating a variety of plans and arrangements for connivence are employed. The pans are made in the form of a shallow box, with a common sheet-iron, galvanized iron, or copper bottom, frequently with flaring sides or shores, on which the scum collects and remains until removed at the convenience of the operator. These pans are frequently made with partitions, which divide them into two or more compartments, into which the juice, as it becomes defecated and partly concentrated in one, is successively transferred to the next." -Commissioner, 1865

Intermittent evaporation process

"In this mode of evaporating a variety of plans and arrangements for connivence are employed. The pans…

An illustration of the Great Republic, a steam power river boat.

Riverboat

An illustration of the Great Republic, a steam power river boat.

An illustration of the pilot house on the Great Republic, a steam power river boat.

Pilot House

An illustration of the pilot house on the Great Republic, a steam power river boat.

The first recorded steam powered ship in the United States built by John Fitch.

Fitch's Steamboat

The first recorded steam powered ship in the United States built by John Fitch.

USS <em>Fulton</em>, a 2455-ton center-wheel steam battery, was built at New York City to a design prepared by Robert Fulton, who called her "Demologos".

Section of the Floating Battery Fulton

USS Fulton, a 2455-ton center-wheel steam battery, was built at New York City to a design prepared…

USS <em>Fulton</em>, a 2455-ton center-wheel steam battery, was built at New York City to a design prepared by Robert Fulton, who called her "Demologos".

Floating Battery Fulton the First

USS Fulton, a 2455-ton center-wheel steam battery, was built at New York City to a design prepared…

Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 &ndash; February 24, 1815) was a U.S. engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat.

Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was a U.S. engineer and inventor who is…

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Steam engines have a long history, going back almost two thousand years. Early devices were not practical power producers, but more advanced designs became a major source of mechanical power during the industrial revolution. Modern steam turbines generate about half of the electric power in the world.

Steam Engine

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Steam…

James Watt (19 January 1736 &ndash; 25 August 1819) was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both Britain and the world.

James Watts

James Watt (19 January 1736 – 25 August 1819) was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer…

A trip hammer resembles a hand-hammer held in a horizontal position. The hammer is placed at the end of a heavy beam pivoted near the opposite end. By means of simple machinery the handle was raised and then "tripped" or let fall, when the hammer-head delivered its blow upon the anvil. They were at first operated by water power, but later by steam power.

Horizontal Steam Power Hammer

A trip hammer resembles a hand-hammer held in a horizontal position. The hammer is placed at the end…

In 1838, Nasmyth, of England, planned his really great invention &mdash; the steam-hammer. His idea was to use the piston-rod of an upright steam-engine as the handle of a hammer that could move up and down between vertical guides. So perfect is the operation of one of these Titan hammers that the engineer can crack an egg with it, or deliver terrific, smashing blows that will mold a ton of iron into any shape he wishes.

Vertical Steam Hammer

In 1838, Nasmyth, of England, planned his really great invention — the steam-hammer. His idea…

"A midship view of the Great Eastern, showing one of the paddle-wheels and the launching gear." -Gordy, 1916

Great Eastern

"A midship view of the Great Eastern, showing one of the paddle-wheels and the launching gear." -Gordy,…

It consists of a steam cylinder and piston and its rod, and to the rod is firmly secured a steel rock-drill. The cylinder is supported upon a heavy tripod that may stand in any position and present the point of the drill in any direction. The steam or compressed air is conveyed to the cylinder through a hose, and when ready for work it delivers its tremendous thundering blows upon the rock in rapid succession.

Pneumatic Rock Drill

It consists of a steam cylinder and piston and its rod, and to the rod is firmly secured a steel rock-drill.…

The steam-vessels were protected by torpedo-nets formed of ropes weighted with iron or lead, and furnished with hooks to catch the little submarine mines. These nets were hung from spars placed athwart the bowsprit in front of the vessel, and sometimes in like manner along its sides.

Torpedo Net

The steam-vessels were protected by torpedo-nets formed of ropes weighted with iron or lead, and furnished…

An illustration of a locomotive broiler.

Locomotive Broiler

An illustration of a locomotive broiler.

An illustration of a brew kettle which shows he liquid gauge, steam jacket, and steam connections.

Brew Kettle

An illustration of a brew kettle which shows he liquid gauge, steam jacket, and steam connections.

"Hydraulic Scroll. a, case, inclosing center-discharge turbine water-wheel; b, openings for inflow of water; c, c', gates for admitting water to central wheel-space d (the wheel is not shown); e, e', gate-shafts; f, shaft by which the two gates are operated simultaneously and equally from worm-gearing at the top of the gate-shafts." -Whitney, 1911

Hydraulic Scroll

"Hydraulic Scroll. a, case, inclosing center-discharge turbine water-wheel; b, openings for inflow of…

Rear Admiral John Ancrum Winslow (1811 &ndash; 29 September 1873) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. He was in command of the steam sloop of war USS Kearsarge during her historic 1864 action with the Confederate ship Alabama.

John Ancrum Winslow

Rear Admiral John Ancrum Winslow (1811 – 29 September 1873) was an officer in the United States…

Peter Cooper manufactured the first steam powered railroad locomotive made in America, which was called <em>Tom Thumb</em>.

Peter Cooper's Train

Peter Cooper manufactured the first steam powered railroad locomotive made in America, which was called…

An illustration of Heron's fountain. Heron's fountain is a hydraulic machine invented by the first century inventor, mathematician, and physicist Heron, also known as Hero of Alexandria. Heron studied the pressure of air and steam, and built the first steam engine as well as toys that would spurt water, one of them known as Heron's fountain. Various versions of Heron's Fountain are used today in physics classes as a demonstration of principles of hydraulics and pneumatics

Heron's Fountain

An illustration of Heron's fountain. Heron's fountain is a hydraulic machine invented by the first century…

"In the "Hercules" turbine...the flow is what is called mixed, that is, it is partly a radial inward and partly an axial flow machine. On entering, the water flows at first in a radial direction, and the gradually, as it passes through the wheel, it receives a downward component which becomes more and more important" (Britannica, 383).

Hercules Turbine

"In the "Hercules" turbine...the flow is what is called mixed, that is, it is partly a radial inward…

"This turbine was designed to give 1250 H.P. with a fall of 25 ft. and an efficiency of 77%. It is fitted with a suction pope and a circular balanced sluice for admitting and cutting off the water-siupply" (Britannica, 384).

Jonval Turbine

"This turbine was designed to give 1250 H.P. with a fall of 25 ft. and an efficiency of 77%. It is fitted…

John Fitch (January 21, 1743 &ndash; July 2, 1798) was an American inventor, clockmaker, and bronzesmith who built the first recorded steam powered ship in the United States.

Fitch's Steamboat

John Fitch (January 21, 1743 – July 2, 1798) was an American inventor, clockmaker, and bronzesmith…

The Fairbairn steam crane is a type of harbourside crane of an 'improved design', patented in 1850 by Sir William Fairbairn. The crane's innovation was in the use of a curved jib, made of riveted wrought iron platework to form a square-section box girder. This could reach further into the hold of a ship, clear of the deep gunwales alongside the quay. A typical size for these cranes would be able to lift 35 tons at a radius of 35 feet (11 m). They were powered by self-contained steam engines, with both boiler and engine mounted on-board the crane.

Fairbairn Steam Crane

The Fairbairn steam crane is a type of harbourside crane of an 'improved design', patented in 1850 by…

"In railroad construction and canal- or road-work, a large scooping bucket armed with teeth and used with a steam-shovel or operated by power by means of chains that drag the bucket over or through loose material, causing it to scoop up a load." -Whitney, 1911

Shovel Bucket

"In railroad construction and canal- or road-work, a large scooping bucket armed with teeth and used…

"A valve for opening and closing the induction and eduction passages of a steam-engine cylinder: so called from its plan resembling the letter D. The usual form of the D-valve is shown in fig. 1, where it is seen detached." -Whitney, 1911

D Valve

"A valve for opening and closing the induction and eduction passages of a steam-engine cylinder: so…

"A valve for opening and closing the induction and eduction passages of a steam-engine cylinder: so called from its plan resembling the letter D. fig. 2 ... represents a section of a steam-cylinder and nozles." -Whitney, 1911

D Valve

"A valve for opening and closing the induction and eduction passages of a steam-engine cylinder: so…

An illustration of a lever safety valve. "Suppose the valve A is just suppose to open when the steam pressure under it is 120 lb. per square inch, that mean area of the valve exposed to steam pressure is 4 square inches, the weight of the valve 4ln., the distance C D being 3 inches the centre of gravity of the lever 7 inches from D, and its weight 6 lb.; where must the weight E - which is 50 lb. - be placed on the lever? The total upward force on the valve is 120 &times; 4 - 4 = 476 lb., and the moment of this force about D is 476 &times; 3 = 1428. This is the only negative moment, all other forces tending to turn the lever the opposite way." -New, 1891

Lever Safety Valve

An illustration of a lever safety valve. "Suppose the valve A is just suppose to open when the steam…

A modern crinoid showing steam with root or hold-fast attachment, and a crown composed of the calyx and branching arms.

Crinoid

A modern crinoid showing steam with root or hold-fast attachment, and a crown composed of the calyx…

"A horse- or steam-power machine for digging, moving, or transporting loose gravel, sand, or soil." -Whitney, 1911

Excavator

"A horse- or steam-power machine for digging, moving, or transporting loose gravel, sand, or soil."…

"An engine designed to throw a continuous stream of water through a hose upon a conflagration, for the purpose of extinguishing it." -Whitney, 1911

Steam Engine

"An engine designed to throw a continuous stream of water through a hose upon a conflagration, for the…

"An automatic device employed with low-pressure steam-heating furnaces to maintain a uniform temperature." -Whitney, 1911

Fire Regulator

"An automatic device employed with low-pressure steam-heating furnaces to maintain a uniform temperature."…

An illustration of a steam-powered ship (un vapor barco) with steam billowing out of its smoke shafts.

Steam-Powered Ship

An illustration of a steam-powered ship (un vapor barco) with steam billowing out of its smoke shafts.

An illustration of a steam train engine.

Steam Train

An illustration of a steam train engine.

An illustration of a tug boat in fog.

Tugboat in Fog

An illustration of a tug boat in fog.

"Steam is admitted under pressure for a boiler into a metal cylinder behind a piston, as represented in figure 14. Its pressure drives the piston forward, doing useful work. When the piston has moved through a part of its stroke the steam supply is cut off, the stroke is completed by the expansion of the steam confined in the cylinder. By the first law of thermodynamics this expansion cools the steam, since work is done in the process; but the expansion is not adiabatic, since the cylinder and piston give up some heat to the steam within. At the end of the stroke the exhaust valve opens and the cooled steam escapes into the atmosphere or condenser through exhaust pipe A. The operation is then repeated on the other side of the piston." Louis Derr, 1911

Mechanical Drawing of a Metal Cylinder

"Steam is admitted under pressure for a boiler into a metal cylinder behind a piston, as represented…

"Governor of a Steam-engine. GOVERNOR. In machinery, a self-acting regulator which controls a supply of steam, gas, or water; especially, any device for automatically regulating the amount of power developed in a machine, as in a steam-engine." -Whitney, 1911

Electric Governor

"Governor of a Steam-engine. GOVERNOR. In machinery, a self-acting regulator which controls a supply…

"Grasshopper-beam. a, rocking pillar; b, radius-bar of the parallel motion which secures verticality to the piston-rod. GRASSHOPPER-BEAM. A form of working-beam used in some steam-engines." -Whitney, 1911

Grasshopper-Beam

"Grasshopper-beam. a, rocking pillar; b, radius-bar of the parallel motion which secures verticality…

"Longitudinal section of hopper dredger, employed on the River Clyde. The vessel steams to place of working and is moored by the Steam Winches A A at bow and stern to buoys, the Bucket Ladder B is then lowered by steam power, and thereafter Buckets set in motion by gearing C C. The depth of water at which the Bucket Ladder dredges is regulated by the Hoisting Shears and Chain Barrel D D, driven by shafting E E from the Engines. The Buckets discharge the material by the shoot F into the Hopper G. The dredged material is discharged by the doors of the Hopper being opened by the Lifting Chains H H. These doors are hinged on to the side of Vessel, and suspended at centre by the Lifting Chains, which are connected to geared Crab Winches I I." -Hill, 1921

Hopper Dredger

"Longitudinal section of hopper dredger, employed on the River Clyde. The vessel steams to place of…

"Sectional view of diving bell and barge, employed on the River Clyde. All the appliances are worked by steam, rendering manual labour unnecessary. A is the Bell, which is raised and lowered by means of the Chain and Steam Winch B. c c are Seats within the Bell; d d, Footboards. E, Air-pipe entering the Bell at f, the air being supplied by Air-pump G driven by the Engine H. J is a Steam Crane for raising or lowering material. K K, Steam Winches for working moorings and shifting position of the barge." -Hill, 1921

Barge with Diving Bell

"Sectional view of diving bell and barge, employed on the River Clyde. All the appliances are worked…

Robert Fulton, an American engineer and inventor, was the first to establish steam navigation. In 1800 he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, the first practical submarine in history. In 1806, Fulton married Chancellor Livingston's niece Harriet (who was the daughter of Walter Livingston), and they later had four children: Robert, Julia, Mary and Cornelia. In 1807, Fulton and Livingston together built the first commercial steamboat, the North River Steamboat (later known as the Clermont), which carried passengers between New York City and Albany, New York. The Clermont was able to make the 300 mile trip in 62 hours. From 1811 until his death in 1815, Fulton was a member of the Erie Canal Commission. He is buried in the Trinity Church Cemetery in New York City, alongside other famous Americans such as Alexander Hamilton.

Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton, an American engineer and inventor, was the first to establish steam navigation. In 1800…

A Polar Spiral French curve, or irregular curve, is used to draw engineering diagrams and steam curves, and is plotted by using the polar equation.

Polar Curve French Curves

A Polar Spiral French curve, or irregular curve, is used to draw engineering diagrams and steam curves,…

This is a vaporizing apparatus with an attached boiler. A steam generator is a device used to boil water to create steam.

Boiler Combination Steam Generator

This is a vaporizing apparatus with an attached boiler. A steam generator is a device used to boil water…

This windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind to rotational motion by means of adjustable sails. The main use is as a grinding mill powered by the wind, reducing a solid or coarse substance into pump or minute grains, by crushing, grinding, or pressing. Windmills have also provided energy for obtaining fresh water from underground or drainage.

The Renewable Energy Source of Windmills

This windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind to rotational motion by means of adjustable…

A slow cooker is a countertop steam cooking appliance that maintains a relatively low temperature compared to other cooking methods, for hours. This allows unattended cooking of pot roast, stew and other dishes.

Steam Feed Cooker and Evaporator

A slow cooker is a countertop steam cooking appliance that maintains a relatively low temperature compared…

Ironing is the work of using a heated tool to remove wrinkles from fabric. The heating is commonly done to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long chain polymer molecules.

Sad Iron

Ironing is the work of using a heated tool to remove wrinkles from fabric. The heating is commonly done…

A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials. The cutting edge of a saw is either a serrated blade or an abrasive. This tool may be worked by hand, or powered by steam, water, or electric power.

Abrasive Saw Blade

A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials.…

A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access ground water in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a vertical turbine pump, a hand pump or a mechanical pump.

Water Elevating Device

A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling…