German Toy Steam Engine

Description (Brief):

This horizontal toy steam engine was manufactured by an unknown German company during the early 20th century. The horizontal brass boiler with chimney sits on an iron metal firebox. The slide-valve engine is attached to a crankshaft and linked to a gearing that is connected to the flywheel. The engine has a decorative flyball governor.

Description (Brief)

Live steam toys enjoyed a period of popularity from the 1880s until the 1930s. The miniature steam engines were marketed as both toys and instructive devices that mimicked full-scale steam-powered machines and allowed every boy and girl to be their own engineer. In toy steam engines, a heating source is introduced into the firebox below the boiler (early toys used lit wicks fueled by denatured alcohol, later toys used electricity) which heated the water to produce the steam pressure that ran the engine. A variety of accessories could be powered by the engine; attachments included windmills, pumps, grinders, and electric lights.

Date Made: 20th century

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: Germany

See more items in: Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Family & Social Life, Engineering, Building, and Architecture, Engineering Steam Toys and Models

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Mr. August Mencken

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MC.322910Catalog Number: 322910Accession Number: 220719

Object Name: toy, steam engine and boiler

Physical Description: brass (overall material)tinplate (castings material)iron (castings material)chrome plated (fittings material)Measurements: boiler, externally fired - from catalog card: 11 1/2 in x 4 in; x 29.21 cm x 10.16 cmcast iron flywheel - from catalog card: 4 in; x 10.16 cmoverall - from catalog card: 14 in; 35.56 cmcylinder, top of boiler - from catalog card: 3/4 in x 1/2 in; 1.905 cm x 1.27 cmoverall: 13 7/8 in x 5 7/8 in x 12 3/8 in; 35.2425 cm x 14.9225 cm x 31.4325 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-9f9b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_847220

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