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A spindle is a cone shaped weigh that hooked the thread to one end and would allow the person to spin the wool to create thread. The distaff is a tool to keep the thread untangled in the spinning process.

Distaff and spindle

A spindle is a cone shaped weigh that hooked the thread to one end and would allow the person to spin…

"The accompanying engraving is an illustration of a new style vertical mill in which an attempt is made to embody all the improvements which have been suggested by experience, and to furnish a complete vertical cane mill. In this machine the hearing is placed between the rolls, giving access to the boxes; the small wheels are lapped, bringing the minor rolls close together, and dispensing with the guide plate or 'dumb returner;' the main roll has a wide flange; the sweep cap has a square eye fitted to the squared end of the main shaft removable by hand; the weight of the rolls is supported upon the ends of the shafts in adjustable oil-tight boxes; the feed roll is fluted to facilitate the entrance of the cane to the mill; the top and bottom plates are diagonally braced as represent, and the construction of the whole machine is such that the mill may be taken entirely apart by simply unscrewing the corner bolts, no keys being used in any part of the machine." -Commissioner, 1865

Vertical Cane Mill

"The accompanying engraving is an illustration of a new style vertical mill in which an attempt is made…

"Decorticator for ramie, jute, hemp, flax, and other textiles in green stalks. The machine is quadruple in its action. It consists in four feeders and four cleaners, inside of which revolves, horizontally, a large cogged wheel acting as a circular carrier. It brings the crushed plant in, and draws from it, the revolving cleaners, as follows: A, crushing rollers, through which the green stalks are passed, and placed on the rim of the large cogged wheel or circular carrier. B,rim of the carrier, on which hangs the flattened plant coming from the rollers. C, revolving cleaners, furnished with knives attracting the plant while it is drawn by the circular motion of the carrier. D, small cog-wheels in contact with the large wheels, and keeping the plant under pressure. F, projecting bar to direct the fiber into the cleaners. G, opening to take off the cleaned fiber." -Watts, 1874

Decorticator

"Decorticator for ramie, jute, hemp, flax, and other textiles in green stalks. The machine is quadruple…

Atwood's machine illustrates the effects of force in producing motion.

Atwood's Machine

Atwood's machine illustrates the effects of force in producing motion.

A machine designed to suppress the dead space which limits the efficiency of ordinary air-pumps.

Kravogl's Air-pump

A machine designed to suppress the dead space which limits the efficiency of ordinary air-pumps.

An illustration of mine workers refining iron ore.

Iron Workers

An illustration of mine workers refining iron ore.

An illustration of two men sewing sails for a sailboat.

Sail-Making

An illustration of two men sewing sails for a sailboat.

Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling (September 12, 1818 - February 26, 1903) was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun.

Richard Jordan Gatling

Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling (September 12, 1818 - February 26, 1903) was an American inventor best known…

An illustration of a perforating machine of the automatic telegraph.

Perforating Machine

An illustration of a perforating machine of the automatic telegraph.

An illustration of a small perforating machine used in telegraphing.

Perforating Machine (small)

An illustration of a small perforating machine used in telegraphing.

An illustration of a man using a loom. A loom is a machine or device for weaving thread or yarn into textiles. Looms can range from very small hand-held frames, to large free-standing hand looms, to huge automatic mechanical devices. A loom can also refer to an electrical cable assembly or harness such as a wiring loom.

Man and Loom

An illustration of a man using a loom. A loom is a machine or device for weaving thread or yarn into…

A Cotton Gin (short for cotton engine) is a machine that quickly and easily separates the cotton fibers from the seedpods and the sometimes sticky seeds, a job previously done by workers. These seeds are either used again to grow more cotton or, if badly damaged, are disposed of. It uses a combination of a wire screen and small wire hooks to pull the cotton through the screen, while brushes continuously remove the loose cotton lint to prevent jams. The term "gin" is an abbreviation for engine, and means "machine".

Cotton Gin

A Cotton Gin (short for cotton engine) is a machine that quickly and easily separates the cotton fibers…

This pile driver is powered by a horse. The horse will pull a cord that raises the weight. When the weight reaches the top of the device, it is released. After being released it will fall a distance before striking an object below with great force causing it to pressed into the ground.

Pile Driver

This pile driver is powered by a horse. The horse will pull a cord that raises the weight. When the…

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 — 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 lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.

Foot-power Wood-working Lathe

A lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material to perform various operations such as cutting,…

A lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.

Large Power Lathe

A lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material to perform various operations such as cutting,…

A planer is a type of metalworking machine tool that is analogous to a shaper, but larger, and with the entire workpiece moving beneath the cutter, instead of the cutter moving above a stationary workpiece. The work table is moved back and forth on the bed beneath the cutting head either by mechanical means, such as a rack and pinion gear, or by a hydraulic cylinder.

Iron Planer

A planer is a type of metalworking machine tool that is analogous to a shaper, but larger, and with…

Tammany Hall was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably the Irish) rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s. It usually controlled Democratic Party nominations and patronage in Manhattan from the mayoral victory of Fernando Wood in 1854 up to (but not including) the election of Fiorello La Guardia in 1934, whereupon it weakened and collapsed.

Tammany Hall

Tammany Hall was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New…

William M. Tweed (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878), sometimes informally called Boss Tweed, was an American politician who was convicted for stealing between 40 million and 200 million dollars from New York City taxpayers through political corruption. Tweed was head of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York. He died in jail.

William Marcy Tweed

William M. Tweed (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878), sometimes informally called Boss Tweed, was an…

Protected cruisers were a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because their deck armour offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above.

A United States protected Cruiser at Sea

Protected cruisers were a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because their deck…

"The cutting-tool in a screw-cutting machine; a screw-plate." -Whitney, 1911

Screw Cutting Die

"The cutting-tool in a screw-cutting machine; a screw-plate." -Whitney, 1911

A section of a screw-cutting die.

Screw Die Section

A section of a screw-cutting die.

"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…

"a, scroll-wheel, intermeshing with the pinion b, which, sliding by a feather on the shaft, c, imparts a gradually decreasing velocity to the latter as b is moved toward the center of a." -Whitney, 1911

Scroll Wheel

"a, scroll-wheel, intermeshing with the pinion b, which, sliding by a feather on the shaft, c, imparts…

"Scutching-machine or Scutcher for Flax. a, feed-table on which the flax is fed to the fluted rollers b, b', which seize it and present it to the scutches or beaters c, fastened by supports d to the rotating drum e. The latter revolves in a case f, with a grating at the bottom. The feed-rolls are driven by gearing i." -Whitney, 1911

Scutcher

"Scutching-machine or Scutcher for Flax. a, feed-table on which the flax is fed to the fluted rollers…

"Seaming-Maching. (a), vertical shaft and support, horizontally adjustable, and carrying at the top (a) former (f); (b), (a) counterpart former working at right angles with (f) on the support (c); (d), screw with crank by which (b) can be set toward or away from (f); (e), crank keyed to the shaft of (b). The edge of the metal is passed under (b) and over (f) which the crank (e) is turned." -Whitney, 1911

Seaming Machine

"Seaming-Maching. (a), vertical shaft and support, horizontally adjustable, and carrying at the top…

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…

Originally the Jacquard machines were mechanical, and the fabric design was punched in pattern cards which were joined together to form a continuous chain. The Jacquards often were small and only independently controlled a relatively few warp ends. This required a number of repeats across the loom width. Larger capacity machines, or the use of multiple machines, allowed greater control, with fewer repeats, and hence larger designs to be woven across the loom width.

Jacquard Machine and Harness

Originally the Jacquard machines were mechanical, and the fabric design was punched in pattern cards…

An illustration of a price computing spring weighing machine.

Spring Weighing Machine

An illustration of a price computing spring weighing machine.

An illustration of a price computing weighing machine.

Price Computing Weighing Machine

An illustration of a price computing weighing machine.

An illustration of a price computing weighing machine using an even even balance and pendulum.

Price Computing Weighing Machine

An illustration of a price computing weighing machine using an even even balance and pendulum.

An illustration of an automatic coal weighing machine.

Automatic Coal Weighing Machine

An illustration of an automatic coal weighing machine.

An illustration of an automatic coal weighing machine.

Automatic Coal Weighing Machine

An illustration of an automatic coal weighing machine.

A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind. It is designed to convert the energy of the wind into more useful forms using rotating blades or sails. The term also refers to the structure it is commonly built on. In much of Europe, windmills served originally to grind grain, though later applications included pumping water and, more recently, generation of electricity.

Windmill

A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind. It is designed to convert the energy…

A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind. It is designed to convert the energy of the wind into more useful forms using rotating blades or sails. The term also refers to the structure it is commonly built on. In much of Europe, windmills served originally to grind grain, though later applications included pumping water and, more recently, generation of electricity.

Windmill

A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind. It is designed to convert the energy…

An sectional illustration of a carding machine. Carding is the processing of brushing raw or washed fibers to prepare them as textiles. A large variety of fibers can be carded, anything from dog hair, to llama, to soy fiber (a fiber made from soy beans), to polyester. Cotton and wool are probably the most common fibers to be carded. Not all fibers are carded; Flax and bast, for example, is retted then threshed.

Sectional View of a Carder

An sectional illustration of a carding machine. Carding is the processing of brushing raw or washed…

"Seismoscope. a, heavy mass supported by loop at point near center of gravity; b, point on which upper side of loop rests; c, long needle projecting from upper side of loop; d, conducting-wire; e, binding-post; f, long arm of lever pivoted at k; g, point where end of lever rests on end of needle; h, mercury-cup." -Whitney, 1911

Seismoscope

"Seismoscope. a, heavy mass supported by loop at point near center of gravity; b, point on which upper…

An illustration of a jute opener.

Jute Opener

An illustration of a jute opener.

An illustration of a jute softening machine.

Jute Softening Machine

An illustration of a jute softening machine.

A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a machine used to measure torque and rotational speed (rpm) from which power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be calculated.

Dynamometer

A dynamometer or "dyno" for short, is a machine used to measure torque and rotational speed (rpm) from…

"Sewing-horse. In saddlery, a sewing-clamp with its supports. a, seat; b, legs; c, c', clamping-jaws, c' hinged to c at d; e, strap fastened to c' passing through c, and attached by chain f to the foot-lever g, the latter pivoted at h; i, spring which opens the jaws when not pulled together by e; k, ratch which g engages to hold he jaws together." -Whitney, 1911

Sewing Horse

"Sewing-horse. In saddlery, a sewing-clamp with its supports. a, seat; b, legs; c, c', clamping-jaws,…

"Singer sewing-machine. a is the frame and cloth-plate or bed-plate; b, arm; c, treadle; e, pitman; d, main driving-wheel; f, band; g, small driving-wheel attached to shaft ... j, take-up lever with roller and stud; k, presser-bar carrying presser-foot; l, needle-bar; m, spool-pin; ... t, drawers." -Whitney, 1911

Singer Sewing Machine

"Singer sewing-machine. a is the frame and cloth-plate or bed-plate; b, arm; c, treadle; e, pitman;…

"Singer sewing-machine. a is the frame and cloth-plate or bed-plate; b, arm; ... g, small driving-wheel attached to shaft h; i, take-up cam with set-screw; j, take-up lever with roller and stud; ... m, spool-pin; n, shuttle-pitman taking motion from crank o; p, shuttle bell-crank; q, shuttle-carrier and shuttle; r, thread-guide; s, tension-disk ..." -Whitney, 1911

Singer Sewing Machine

"Singer sewing-machine. a is the frame and cloth-plate or bed-plate; b, arm; ... g, small driving-wheel…

Used in bookbinding. "Sewing-press. a, table with slot b, through which the cords c pass; d, staples by which the lower ends of the cords are held from passing through the slot when stretched; e, adjustable bar around which the upper ends of the cords are looped; f, screw-threaded rods upon which the nuts g are turned, to adjust the bar e; h, h', book-sections to be stitched to the cords; i, grooves cut in the backs of the sections for reception of the cords; j, needle and thread, illustrating method of stitching." -Whitney, 1911

Sewing Press

Used in bookbinding. "Sewing-press. a, table with slot b, through which the cords c pass; d, staples…

A sounding machine on a cable steamer.

Sounding Machine

A sounding machine on a cable steamer.

In a sugarcane mill, sugarcane is washed, chopped, and shredded by revolving knives.

A Sugarcane Mill

In a sugarcane mill, sugarcane is washed, chopped, and shredded by revolving knives.

An illustration of a section of the interior of a large house clock.

House Clock

An illustration of a section of the interior of a large house clock.

A girl sitting politely as her mother sews.

A Girl Being Polite

A girl sitting politely as her mother sews.

"A and B...are two corks, into each of which r inserted four wing feathers from any bird, so as to be slightly inclined like the sails of a windmill, but in opposite directions in each set. A round shaft is fixed in the cork a, which ends in a sharp point. At the upper part of the cork b is fixed a whalebone bow, having a small pivot hole in its centre to receive the point of the shaft. The bow is then to be strung equally on each side to the upper portion of the shaft, and the little machine is completed. Wind up the string by turning the flyers different ways, so that the spring of the bow may unwind them with their anterior edges ascending." -Britannica, 1910

Cayley's Flying Model

"A and B...are two corks, into each of which r inserted four wing feathers from any bird, so as to be…

An illustration of Langley's flying machine. A, Large airplane; b, small airplane; c, propelling screws.

Langley's Flying Machine

An illustration of Langley's flying machine. A, Large airplane; b, small airplane; c, propelling screws.

An illustration of Sir H. Maxim's Flying Machine.

Sir H. Maxim's Flying Machine

An illustration of Sir H. Maxim's Flying Machine.

An illustration of Chanute's multiple gliding machine.

Chanute's Multiple Gliding Machine

An illustration of Chanute's multiple gliding machine.

An illustration of Chanute's biplane gliding machine.

Biplane Gliding Machine

An illustration of Chanute's biplane gliding machine.

An illustration of Santos Dumont's flying machine.

Santos Dumont's Flying Machine

An illustration of Santos Dumont's flying machine.

"Side-delivery rake, a horse-rake in which the rake is suspended between the axle of the pair of wheels and a third or caster-wheel trailing at the end of the rake, and placed in a position diagonal to the direction in which the machine moves. By means of suitable mechanism, operated through gearing on the axle, the hay, as fast as it is gathered, is delivered at the side of the rake and deposited on the ground in the form of a windrow." -Whitney, 1911

Side Delivery Rake

"Side-delivery rake, a horse-rake in which the rake is suspended between the axle of the pair of wheels…

An illustration of an early flour mill conveyor.

Early Flour Mill Conveyor

An illustration of an early flour mill conveyor.

An illustration of a paddle worm conveyor.

Paddle Worm Conveyor

An illustration of a paddle worm conveyor.