Description:General Section of atmospheric pumping engine at Chelsea Water Works, London, 1770s.
This engine was replaced by the Boulton & Watt engine in the previous illustration. It was built to the basic design developed by Thomas Newcomen. Note that unlike the Watt engine, the cylinder is open at the top and mounted directly over the boiler. The Boulton & Watt Archive is an incredibly rich source of illustrations of industrial power sources in the 18th century, for Boulton & Watt often made drawings of what their engines were replacing. These included atmospheric steam engines, water wheels, horse gins and wind mills.
This drawing is part of the Archives of Soho collection, which is held by Birmingham City Archives [Ref. MS3147/Portfolio/5/1103]