The Steam Engine: A Brief History of the Reciprocating Engine by R J Law 1972

The Science Museum

ISBN 10: 011290016X / ISBN 13: 9780112900160

Editore: Stationery Office Books, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, 1972

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## The Steam Engine: A Brief History of the Reciprocating Engine by R J Law 1972 ## ## THIS BOOK: Classified FINE: This Book is the 1972 edition. Originally published in 1965. A unique catalogue of The Steam Engine at The Science Museum. Photos and drawings of the various steam engines and information on each one,## ## INTRODUCTION: With the disappearance of steam locomotives from railways at home and abroad, it is thought that the day of steam power is past, but not so. In countries like ours, where thermal energy forms the basis of electric power supplies, steam is still the medium for converting heat into mechanical energy to drive electric generators. In industrialised countries, electric power alone represents the equivalent of several enslaved people for every man, woman and child of the population. It is, therefore, not easy to appreciate the sheer drudgery that has persisted until quite recently and persists in undeveloped areas of the world. When the only prime movers were windmills and water wheels, most physical work was undertaken by men whom animals supplemented.## ## The steam engine was the agent which began the liberation of humanity from toil. It also made power available on a scale unknown before, leading to an unprecedented industry expansion. Therefore, the importance of its history transcends its purely technical aspects, interesting though these are.## ## By the seventeenth century, mines had become sufficiently deep for pumping to be a serious problem. Where water power could not be used, the pumps were worked by horses or men but at great cost. In the same century, the discovery of the atmosphere's pressure suggested a new power source if only a vacuum could be obtained. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first successful cylinder and piston steam engine were made. Its use became general in British coalfields, but throughout the century, it remained entirely dependent upon the vacuum formed by the condensation of steam. In the nineteenth century, the introduction of high pressure steam made mechanical transport possible on land as well as at sea. As the century progressed, steam became pre-eminent and supplied the power for every conceivable purpose, from cotton mills to lawn mowers.## ## In the 20th century, the reciprocating steam engine was almost eclipsed by the internal combustion engine and the steam turbine, which can utilise much higher steam pressures and develop far larger powers. However for small powers where the exhaust steam is required for heating or process work, the reciprocating steam engine is still to be found.## ### INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Please Note FREE SHIPPING IS UK ONLY. Please get in touch with me for a shipping quotation. ###.

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• Titolo: The Steam Engine: A Brief History of the Reciprocating Engine by R J Law 1972
• Editore: Stationery Office Books, Sawbridgeworth, Herts
• Data di pubblicazione: 1972
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 011290016X
• ISBN 13: 9780112900160
• Rilegatura: Softcover Satin Finish
• Edizione: quarta edizione
• Condizione: As New
• Condizione della sovraccoperta: No Jacket
• Peso: 0,12 grammi
• Firmato: No Author signature
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