| Brief Description | Model of Watt's beam engine for pumping water. The steam engine that fired the industrial revolution. Dated by Science Museum (London) from photographic evidence as first half of 19th century. Restored to working condition in 1976 by Department of Natural Philosophy mechanical workshop. Body painted green and black. All parts that were replaced, including wooden base plate, kept. Model includes Watt's parallel motion on beam, driven centrifugal governor (though with no feedback) and working water pump. Flywheel driven by a crank (not sun and planet gear). Model works with steam or compressed air. Attached pulley wheel is modern addition. As found, the model could be turned by hand (using the wooden wheel and handle , a recent crude addition) but the governor did nothing and the machine did not work. The chambers leaked, the valves did not function and the pistons leaked. The metal work was pitted and poorly painted. The wooden base was cracked. William Knight purchased a model of Maudslay's steam engine second hand in 1829 and it is likely that this is it. |
| Object History Note | Department of Natural Philosophy |