Boiler Case, Stringfellow Steam Engine
Physical Description: Metal casing that surrounds the boiler of the engine. Metal, black. Has two pieces, the main body which surrounds the boiler and the cover on the top. Physic
Source record notes
Physical Description: Metal casing that surrounds the boiler of the engine. Metal, black. Has two pieces, the main body which surrounds the boiler and the cover on the top. Physical Description: Type: Reciprocating, steam, single cylinder, alcohol fuel Physical Description: Power rating: 0.813 kW (1.1 hp) at 445 N (100 lb) boiler pressure, 300 rpm Physical Description: Displacement: 0.15 L (9.42 cu in.) Physical Description: Bore and Stroke: 5.1 cm (2 in.) x 7.6 cm (3 in.) Physical Description: Weight: 5.9 kg (13 lb) Summary: Like the Wright brothers, who followed, John Stringfellow and his associate William Henson are an important link to early aeronautical researchers. At an exposition in 1868 in London's Crystal Palace, where it powered a triplane model along a cable, the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain awarded a prize of £100 to Stringfellow’s engine as the lightest in proportion to its power, producing 0.75 kW (one horsepower) for the weight of 5.9 kg (13 pounds). Summary: In 1889, Smithsonian Secretary Samuel P. Langley purchased the engine, along with a "car" designed to carry an engine and a pair of propellers, for £25. Langley held on to the engine briefly, sending it to L.D. Copeland of Smithville, N.J., for experimental work. Upon return of the engine to Langley, he turned it over to the museum section of the Smithsonian for public display, also in 1889. Materials: Metal, Copper alloy, Steel, Paint, Clear coating Country of Origin: United Kingdom Manufacturer: John Stringfellow Type: PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
- Period
- 1868
- Institution
- National Air and Space Museum
- Category
- Space & Aviation
Verified Smithsonian source · Original museum record · Image rights: CC0
Object ID: nasm_A18890001001
Media ID: media:NASM-8FAB4405ADC42_001
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