1780s Double-acting Pumping Engine at River Head Works replaced this Atmospheric Engine Designed by John Smeaton in the 1760s

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Date:1767

Description:Upright section of atmospheric engine, at New River Head Water Works, London.

Until the installation of the Boulton & Watt 32 inch engine in 1785, this engine was used to pump water at the New River Head Water Works. It was designed by the renowned engineer John Smeaton in 1767; Smeaton is credited with having made atmospheric engines as efficient and powerful as they could possibly become. This engine was removed not long after the installation of the Boulton & Watt engine in 1785.

This drawing is part of the Archives of Soho collection, which is held by Birmingham City Archives [Ref. MS3147/Portfolio/5/1090]

Related themes:

Watt, James Mechanical Engineering Drawings Boulton, Matthew 1766 - 1800 (Mid-Georgian period & the Industrial Revolution

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