Engine pioneer Philippe LeBon died in Paris, France aged just 37
Saturday 1st December 1804 Engine pioneer Philippe LeBon died in Paris, France aged just 37. In 1801, LeBon invented an engine that improved on earlier designs by others. It used coal gas ignited by an electric spark. This is believed to be the first internal combustion engine. Although, very inefficient it would be later improved […]
British inventor Richard Trevithick took seven of his friends for a test ride on his “Puffing Devil,” or “Puffer,” the first steam-powered passenger vehicle, on this day in 1801
Thursday 24th December 1801 British inventor Richard Trevithick took seven of his friends for a test ride on his “Puffing Devil,” or “Puffer,” the first steam-powered passenger vehicle, on this day in 1801. Unlike the steam engine pioneered by the Scotsman James Watt, Trevithick’s used “strong steam”–that is, steam at a very high pressure (145 […]
Charles Goodyear, who patented a process to vulcanize rubber in 1842, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, US
Monday 29th December 1800 Charles Goodyear, who patented a process to vulcanize rubber in 1842, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, US. Goodyear began his career as a partner in his father’s hardware business, which went bankrupt in 1830. He then became interested in discovering a method of treating india rubber so that it would […]
Born on this day, Charles Goodyear, inventor of vulcanized rubber
Monday 29th December 1800 Born on this day, Charles Goodyear, inventor of vulcanized rubber. The industrial use of rubber is possible only because of vulcanization. Goodyear’s process made millions of dollars, but not for him. Widespread infringements on his patents, together with poor luck in business, left him deep in debt at his death in […]
English inventor George Medhurst was issued with a British patent for his ‘Aeolian’ engine which used compressed air to power vehicles
Saturday 2nd August 1800 English inventor George Medhurst was issued with a British patent for his ‘Aeolian’ engine which used compressed air to power vehicles. In his pamphlet ‘On the properties, power, & application of the Aeolian engine, with a plan and particulars for carrying it into execution’, Medhurst proposed the establishment of Aeolian coach […]
Philippe Lebon d’Humbersin was issued with a French patent for his two-stroke internal combustion coal-gas motor featuring many principles of the modern two-stroke engine
Saturday 28th September 1799 Philippe Lebon d’Humbersin was issued with a French patent for his two-stroke internal combustion coal-gas motor featuring many principles of the modern two-stroke engine.
George Washington granted U
Friday 25th April 1794 George Washington granted U.S. letters patent to John J. Staples, Jr., of New York, for what the inventor described as a “Carriage to be Propelled by the Mechanic Powers” (not steam power); text of the patent shows that the specifications were vague, invention wholly impractical.
Goldsworthy Gurney
Thursday 14th February 1793 Born on this day, Goldsworthy Gurney. Amongst many accomplishments, the Cornishman developed the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, and later applied its principles to a novel form of illumination, the Bude light. He also developed a series of early steam-powered road vehicles; and laid claim, still discussed and disputed today, to the blastpipe, a […]
A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go in one direction only, or “One Way,” as the signs said
Saturday 17th December 1791 A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go in one direction only, or “One Way,” as the signs said.
The Maryland House of Delegates (US) issued a patent to Oliver Evans for his high pressure steam engine
Saturday 19th May 1787 The Maryland House of Delegates (US) issued a patent to Oliver Evans for his high pressure steam engine. He continued to work on this for the next several years, envisioning both a stationary engine for industrial purposes and an engine for land and water transport. In 1801 he built in Philadelphia […]
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