Author: Damon N. Beverly

Steam engine is a more fuel-efficient steam engine design that kept the working cylinder hot while condensing steam in a separate chamber.

Electric light arc lamp is a lamp that creates intense light from an electric arc between two separated electrodes. Its later development is traced.

Electric tram is a rail-guided urban passenger vehicle powered by electricity. The surviving record and later development are also considered.

Elevator (Otis safety brake) was designed to stop a hoist or elevator platform if the lifting rope failed. Its later development is traced.

Automobile (Benz Patent-Motorwagen) is a three-wheeled, gasoline-powered motor vehicle designed as an integrated self-propelled automobile.

Internal combustion engine burns fuel inside the engine so expanding gases can produce mechanical work. Its historical setting is also noted.

Refrigeration machine moves heat from a colder space or liquid to a warmer surroundings by using mechanical work, a refrigerant, or another cooling cycle.

Gramophone is a mechanical sound recording and playback system based on a laterally cut disc record and an acoustic reproducer.

Linotype machine cast a complete line of type as one metal slug. The record follows its origins, use, surviving evidence, and later development.

Rotary press prints by passing paper between rotating cylinders carrying inked printing surfaces. Early evidence and later changes are traced.

Type casting machine was used to cast metal printing type from a mold or matrix for letterpress printing. Its later development is also traced.

Morse code is a signal code that represents letters, numbers, and signs through short and long signals. Its later development is also traced.

Babbage’s Analytical Engine proposed programmable mechanical computing with memory, arithmetic processing, punched-card control, and output.

Mechanical calculator was designed to perform the four basic arithmetic operations through a geared mechanism. Its later development is traced.

Steelmaking — industrial process that converts molten pig iron into steel by forcing air through it. Its historical setting is also noted.

Reinforced Concrete — concrete strengthened with embedded steel, iron, mesh, bars, or tendons so the two materials share structural loads.

Cement Mixer combines cement, aggregates, water, and sometimes admixtures into workable concrete or mortar. Its later development is traced.

Hydraulic Press — machine that uses pressurized liquid and pistons to produce controlled compressive force. Its later development is traced.

Mechanical Press uses a screw, lever, crank, flywheel, ram, platen, or slide to print, cut, form, press, or assemble material.

Metal Lathe — machine tool that rotates a metal workpiece while a cutting tool removes material into a controlled round form.

Gas Lighting — artificial light produced by burning manufactured gas in controlled lamps, burners, or mantles. Its later development is traced.

Parachute is a fabric aerodynamic safety device that slows descent by creating drag, lift, or both. Its historical setting is also noted.

Hot Air Balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft that rises when heated air inside a large envelope becomes less dense than the cooler air around it.

Safety Lamp (Davy lamp) — flame safety lamp for coal mines with a protected flame. The surviving record and later development are also considered.