Thomas Newcomen (1664-1729), English engineer, with a diagram of his atmospheric engine of 1712. Newcomen was an ironmonger from Dartmouth, and also a
Thomas Newcomen (1664-1729), English engineer, with a diagram of his atmospheric engine of 1712. Newcomen was an ironmonger from Dartmouth, and also a Baptist lay preacher. The Newcomen atmospheric engine was the first to have a 'walking beam' pivoted arm (top) to transfer power between the piston and the rod. It was used to pump water out of coal mines. The piston was driven down by the pressure of a partial vacuum in the cylinder, causing the rod to be drawn upwards. As steam in the cylinder condensed the piston was forced up, and the rod forced down. This was the first true steam engine, widely used over the next 75 years.
Size: 2550px × 3507px
Photo credit: © GARY BROWN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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