| 62 |
Aeolipile devised: a pure-reaction machine that can be called the first steam engine. (Hero, Alexandria, Egypt) |
64 |
| 300 - 1399 |
Waterwheel recognized as a prime mover for diverse applications. (Western Europe) |
63 |
| 315 ca. |
Large cornmill uses series of waterwheels: built to grind corn for 50,000 people. (Barbegal, France) |
63 |
| 400 ca. |
Wind-driven prayer wheels used in China. (China) |
62 |
| 400 - 644 |
Windmills appear in Chinese writings and in Islam for Caliph Omar I. (Middle East) |
62 |
| 400 ca. |
Roman edict protects watermills. (Romans, Europe) |
63 |
| 400 ca. |
Double-piston bellows for continuous blast used. (China) |
63 |
| 438 - 441 |
SENCHUS MOR written, followed by BOOK OF AICILL: describes Irish code on mills, including horizontal waterwheels. (Ireland) |
63 |
| 833 |
Windmills introduced into Germany. (Germany) |
62 |
| 900 - 999 |
Horizontal windmills described in Arab countries: possibly in use since 600s. (Arabs, Europe) |
62 |
| 1086 |
Domesday Book lists 5,624 mills: probably driven by primitive horizontal watermills. (Britain) |
63 |
| 1105 |
Windmills introduced into France. (France) |
62 |
| 1150 ca. |
Floating mills on the Siene in Paris depicted. (Paris) |
63 |
| 1170 ca. |
Tide mill reported at Woodbridge, Suffolk. (Britain) |
63 |
| 1180 ca. |
Earliest mention of western windmill, abbey of St Sauvere de Vicomte. (Normandy) |
62 |
| 1200 ca. |
Post windmill appears in Europe. (Europe) |
62 |
| 1350 ca. |
Windmill-driven scoop wheel. (France) |
62 |
| 1430 |
Early water turbine invented for St Georgenberg (Inn valley) mill: Pelton type. (a pope, Italy) |
63 |
| 1500 - 1599 |
Tower windmill used in Europe. (Europe) |
62 |
| 1500 Early 1599 |
Large undershot waterwheels used to drive pumps for water supply: later erected in Paris and London. (Germany) |
63 |
1510
|
Leonardo da Vinci designs horizontal waterwheel: demonstrates water turbine principle. (Leonardo da Vinci) |
63 |
| 1588 |
Internal workings of western windmill depicted: includes chain-pump in tower mill. (Agostino Ramelli, Lyons) |
62 |
| 1590 ca. |
ON MILLS published: gives mathematical theory to scoop wheel improvements to raise water. (Simon Stevin, Holland) |
63 |
| 1592 |
Windmills built to drive mechanical saws. (C Cornelisz, Uitgeest, Holland) |
62 |
| 1600 - 1699 |
Sawmills and gristmills used in early American settlements. (US) |
63 |
| 1606 |
Water moved by vacuum created when steam condenses: concept proved in laboratory. (Giambattista della Porta) |
64 |
| 1663 |
Direct-steam 'water commanding' engine devised by Marquis of Worcester. (Worcester, Britain) |
64 |
| 1677 |
Abbe Jean de Hautefeuille ignited gunpowder to create vacuum: pumps water. (Hautefeuille) |
65 |
| 1678 |
Gunpowder engine using piston and cylinder proposed. (Christiaan Huygens, Netherlands) |
65 |
| 1680 |
Lever safety valve devised for steam engine: applied to digester (1679). (Denis Papin) |
64 |
| 1690 |
First demonstration of raising a piston using steam: considered early atmospheric engine. (Denis Papin, England) |
64 |
| 1690 - 1698 |
Master patent received 7/28/1698 for practical steam pump: 'fire engine' demonstrated in 1699. (Capt Thomas Savery, Britain) |
64 |
| 1707 |
Centrifugal blowers and pumps developed. (Denis Papin, Britain) |
64 |
| 1712 |
Newcomen's (1663-1729) first atmospheric steam engine built: self-acting steam pumping engine, originally for coal mines of Black Country. (Thomas Newcomen, Dudley Castle) |
64 |
| 1738 |
Bernoulli's HYDRODYNAMICA published: laws of fluid flow (theories of fluid motion). (Daniel Bernoulli) |
63 |
| 1739 - 1753 |
ARCHITECTURE HYDRAULIQUE describes tub wheels; pioneers applied science. (Forest de Belidor, France) |
63 |
| 1740 |
Cast-iron cylinders for steam engine can be bored. (Britain) |
64 |
| 1753 |
First US steam engine assembled. (J Hornblower, US) |
64 |
| 1754 - 1790 |
Specific and latent heat measured; taught Watt; works published posthumously 1803. (Joseph Black, Glasgow) |
61 |
| 1756 - 1759 |
Principles developed for waterwheel energy output, fundamental in thermodynamics: includes first scale-model engineering experiments. (John Smeaton, Britain) |
61 |
| 1759 |
Windmill and waterwheel experiments presented to Royal Society and published. (John Smeaton, Scotland) |
62 |
| 1767 |
Stream-tube analysis and study of ideal waterwheels introduced. (Jean Charles Borda) |
63 |
| 1769 |
Patent granted for condenser: Watt's first for steam engine, halved fuel consumption, invented in 1765 after repairing Newcomen model engine. (James Watt 1736-1819, Glasgow) |
64 |
| 1770 - 1779 |
Pneumatic accumulators and flywheels come into use as energy-storage devices.
|
62 |
| 1775 |
Electrophoros invented for storing electrical charge. (A Volta, Italy) |
62 |
| 1775 |
Reciprocating engine with flywheel. |
64 |
| 1776 |
Boulton and Watt produce their first commercial steam engine, for John Wilkinson. (Matthew Boulton and James Watt, Birmingham, Britain) |
64 |
| 1781 |
team engine patent granted for improvements: rotary motion enables application of steam engine to ordinary machinery, includes epicyclic or sun-and-planet gearing (Wm Murdoch). (James Watt, Scotland) |
64 |
| 1781 |
Single-acting compound (double-cylinder) engine patented: Radstock Colliery (Watt won in litigation). (Joseph Hornblower, Britain) |
64 |
| 1782 |
Patent for improvements to steam engine granted: Watt's third steam-engine patent, includes double-acting engine and used expansion concept. (James Watt, Scotland) |
64 |
| 1783 - 1784 |
Watt introduces horsepower as unit of work. (James Watt, Britain) |
64 |
| 1783 - 1791 |
Steam-powered flour mill, Albion Mills, built (1783) and operated (1786) by John Rennie: fire destroys mill in 1791. (Boulton and Watt, London) |
64 |
| 1784 |
Parallel motion of the rotative beam engine patented: Watt's fourth patent on the steam engine; used three-bar, straight-line motion. (James Watt, Birmingham) |
64 |
| 1789 |
Caloric heat theory described; experiments end phlogiston; modern combustion theory established. (A L Lavoisier, France) |
61 |
| 1791 |
Gas turbine patented in Britain but never built. (John Barber, Britain) |
66 |
| 1794 |
Internal combustion engine using piston and system of levers patented: raised water. (Robert Street, Britain) |
65 |
| 1798 |
Mechanical energy converted to heat establishes heat as form of motion, not fluid. (Benj Thompson (Count Rumford), Bavaria (British)) |
61 |
|
19th Century |
|
1800 ca.
|
Volta's galvanic cell perfected: results in first working battery. (Alessandro Volta, Italy) |
62 |
| 1800 - 1899 |
First water turbines developed: reaction (Barker), impulse (flutter wheel), and tub wheel. |
63 |
| 1801 |
First major US water works established. (Benj H Latrobe, Philadelphia) |
63 |
| 1801 |
High-pressure steam engine operates. (Oliver Evans, US) |
64 |
| 1801 |
Compression of charge before burning in internal combustion engine proposed: no engine built. (Philippe Lebon, France) |
65 |
| 1803 |
Marine multitubular boiler patented (also claimed by Nathan Read 8/26/1791--A2). (John Stevens, New Jersey) |
64 |
| 1805 ca. |
Undershot waterwheel modified with curved paddles to increase efficiency. (Jean V Poncelet, France) |
63 |
| 1807 |
Pure-reaction wheel introduced. (Marquis d'Ectot) |
63 |
| 1807 |
Early version of piston-and-cylinder (internal combustion) engine invented: powered boat. (brothers Joseph and Claude Niepce, France) |
65 |
| 1808 - 1809 |
Gay-Lussac establishes law: ratios of volumes of gases. (Joseph Gay-Lussac, France) |
61 |
| 1810 - 1819 |
Steam engines spur machine-shop growth. (US) |
64 |
| 1811 |
Double-expansion (compound) engineering developed: with half the fuel of Watt's engine, produced in France after 1815. (Arthur Woolf, London) |
64 |
| 1812 |
First Cornish (noncondensing, 1.4 bar, high-pressure, 5 psig) engine at Wheal Prosper Mine: replaces Watt engine. (R Trevithick, Cornwall, England) |
64 |
| 1816 |
Regenerator using hot-air engine invented. (Robt Stirling, Scotland) |
62 |
| 1817 |
High-pressure engine and boilers designed and built for Fairmount Water Works*. (Oliver Evans, Philadelphia) |
64 |
| 1818 |
Law of specific (molecular) heat developed. (Dulong and Petit, Britain) |
61 |
| 1820 |
Gas engine tested. (W Ceck, Britain) |
65 |
| 1821 |
Seebeck effect discovered: basis for all thermoelectric work. (Thomas Seebeck, Germany) |
62 |
| 1822 |
Mathematical theory of heat conduction in solids established. (Jean Fourier, Paris) |
61 |
| 1822 - 1824 |
Word 'turbine' (Latin TURBO-TURBINIS) describes fluid-driven vane wheel (Ecole des Mines). (Claude Burdin, St Etienne, France) |
64 |
| 1823 |
Gas engine built, produced, and sold. (Samuel Brown) |
65 |
| 1824 |
Foundation of thermodynamics laid out in 'Motive Power Heat': includes diesel and internal combustion engine. (Sadi Carnot, Paris) |
61 |
| 1824 |
Undershot waterwheel with curved blades designed: uses Carnot's principles. (Jean V Poncelot, France) |
64 |
| 1826 - 1845 |
Viscous fluid flow equations formulated. (S C Poisson and C L M H Navier, France) |
61 |
| 1826 - 1860 |
Open-cycle hot-air engine patented 1826: basis of most his experimental engines. (John Ericcson, US) |
62 |
| 1826 |
Radial in-flow hydraulic turbine proposed 1826, later built. (Jean V Poncelet, France) |
63 |
| 1827 |
Radial-outflow wafer turbine built: with Barker's mill and Prony brake. (Benoit Fourneyron, France) |
63 |
| 1828 |
Design of waterwheel improved. (Wm Fairbairn) |
63 |
| 1831 ca |
Commercial steam (Hero-type) turbines built in US to drive machinery: not developed. (Wm Avery, US) |
64 |
| 1831 - 1836 |
Experiments on steam-boiler explosions by Franklin Institute published: begins 1830. (Boston, US) |
64 |
| 1831 - 1835 |
Fundamentals of electromagnetic rotation demonstrated: principles established in 1821, leads to electric generator. (Michael Faraday, Britain) |
69 |
| 1832 - 1833 |
Three water turbines patented, 1832: useful for industry, presented to the Societe d'Encouragement (first water turbine based on Charles Burdin -- W7). (Benoit Fourneyron, France) |
63 |
| 1833 |
Internal combustion engine using pressure from combustion, rather than vacuum from cooling, built. (W L Wright) |
65 |
| 1834 |
Peltier effect discovered: opposite of Seebeck effect, involving refrigeration, leads to thermocouple. (Jean C A Peltier, France) |
62 |
| 1835 |
Steam engines of glass industry in Pittsburgh establish industrial base in city. (Pittsburgh) |
64 |
| 1836 |
First steam-supply engine system with variable expansion uses governor patent. (Joseph Farcot) |
64 |
| 1837 |
First axial-flow turbine designed. (Jonval, France) |
63 |
| 1837 |
Aeolipiles produced to drive machines. (Avery, Syracuse, NY) |
64 |
| 1838 |
Inward-flow water turbine patented. (Samuel Howd, Geneva, NY) |
63 |
| 1838 |
Barnett's gasoline engine: first to compress charge before burning. (William Barnett) |
65 |
| 1839 |
Fuel cell demonstrated thermal dissociation of water. (Wm Grove, Britain) |
62 |
| 1839 |
Early photovoltaic developed: 1893, cell invented by Julius Elster and Hans Geiter, Germany. (Henri Becquerel, Paris) |
62 |
| 1841 |
Axial-flow reaction turbine with a draft-tube diffuser: increased efficiency (1843--E1). (Jonval) |
63 |
| 1842 |
Mechanical equivalent of heat calculated; energy conservation law (first law). (Robert Mayer, Germany) |
61 |
| 1842 |
First US steam-heating system installed in the counting house of Middlesex County. (Walworth and Nason, Lowell, Mass) |
64 |
| 1843 - 1845 |
Mechanical equivalent of heat measured by Joule: Rankine confirms later (1842 Mayer). (James P Joule, Britain) |
61 |
| 1843 |
Hot plug introduced: used to ignite internal combustion engines. (Alfred Drake) |
65 |
| 1844 - 1846 |
Boyden turbine designed: diffuser, Fourneyron water turbine, scroll penstock, hook gauge, etc. (Uriah A Boyden, Boston) |
63 |
| 1844 |
First US noncompression gas engine patented. (Stuart Perry, New York) |
65 |
| 1845 - 1848 |
Beam engine converted to compound engine by adding cylinder: patented 1845. (John McNaught, Bury, Lancashire) |
64 |
| 1847 |
Regnault's calorimetric researches published. (Henri Regnault, France) |
61 |
| 1847 |
First law of thermodynamics formulated: laws of conservation of energy. (Hermann Helmholtz, Germany) |
61 |
| 1847 - 1855 |
Francis radial inward-flow reaction turbine* extensively tested. (James B Francis, Lowell, Mass) |
63 |
| 1847 - 1892 |
Holyoke water power system* and canal built: industrial center established. (Holyoke, Mass) |
63 |
| 1848 |
Steam turbines, including radial inflow type, patented (no evidence of influence). (Robt Wilson, Greenock, Scotland) |
64 |
| 1849 |
Corliss designed (1848) and patented (1849) automatic cut-off valve gear: exported 1859. (George H Corliss, US (RI or Ma)) |
64 |
| 1850 - 1851 |
Carnot's theory of heat reconciled with second law of thermodynamics: theoretical maximum of efficiency of any heat engine exists. (Rudolf J E Clausius and Lord Kelvin, Britain) |
61 |
| 1850 |
Vortex turbine patented: a radial-inflow turbine produced through 1920. (James Thomson, Britain) |
63 |
| 1850 ca. |
Reaction-type hydraulic (Scotch) turbine* installed (may be first). (Stewartsville, NJ) |
63 |
| 1850 |
Partial-admission impulse turbine built. (Girard) |
63 |
| 1850 - 1851 |
Hydraulic accumulator invented to power machinery: eventually led to power storage and transmission. (Wm Geo Armstrong, Britain) |
63 |
| 1851 - 1855 |
Science of energetics developed: behavior of heat engines examined, distinguishing between action (sensible) and potential (latent) energy. (Wm J McQuorn Rankine, Scotland) |
61 |
| 1852 |
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal scoopwheel and engines* tested. (Merrick and Sons, Chesapeake, Md) |
63 |
| 1853 |
Differential equation for circuits established; 1848, Kelvin concept of absolute temperature (B9). (Kelvin (Wm Thomas), Britain) |
61 |
| 1855 |
LOWELL HYDRAULIC EXPERIMENTS published: establishes scientific testing of turbines. (James B Francis, Lowell, Mass) |
63 |
| 1859 |
THE STEAM ENGINE AND OTHER PRIME MOVERS published: details basic science involved. (Wm J McQuorn Rankine, Scotland) |
64 |
| 1859 - 1860 |
Internal combustion engine designed (high-pressure piston steam engine): like horizontal double-acting steam engine. (J J Etienne Lenoir, Paris) |
65 |
| 1860 |
Marine compound engines introduced for ships: pressures rise and surface condensers used more. |
64 |
| 1861 |
Solar pump patented. (Augustine Mouchot, France) |
62 |
| 1862 ca. |
Steam-engine indicator for high-speed engines developed. (Charles Richards, Hartford, Conn) |
64 |
| 1862 |
Principles of 4-stroke cycle demonstrated, used for motor vehicles. (A Beau de Rochas, Paris) |
65 |
| 1863 |
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES IN STEAM ENGINES published (revised 1865). (Benj F Isherwood, US) |
64 |
| 1867 |
Compound beam engine* advances pumping engines: introduces hydraulic forging. (Erasmus D Leavitt, Lynn, Mass) |
63 |
| 1867 |
Water-tube boiler patented: avoided explosions, based on Wilcox safety boiler of 1856. (Babcock and Wilcox, Rhode Island) |
64 |
| 1867 |
Free-piston interal combustion engine produced (superior to Barsanti and Mateucci type, 1854) by firm of Otto and Langen. (Otto and Langen, Deutz, Germany) |
65 |
| 1870 - 1879 |
Compounding (double, triple, and quadruple expansion) engines established: Steam's golden age. (US) |
64 |
| 1870 - 1910 |
At least 10,000 boiler explosions occur with regularity: results in litigation and congressional inquiry. (US, Canada, and Mexico) |
64 |
| 1870 ca. |
Generator, later known as first dynamo, invented. (Zenobe T Gramme, Paris)
69 |
|
| 1871 - 1919 |
Dimensional analysis develops: introduced 1892 (John Wm Strutt). (Lord Rayleigh, Britain) |
61 |
| 1871 - 1873 |
Boyden hydraulic turbine* installed: most powerful in US at time. (Cohoes, NY) |
63 |
| 1871 - 1877 |
Achilles and Hercules water turbine* developed in early 1870s: produced in 1877 in Holyoke, by Jolly in 1889. (John B McCormick, Holyoke, Mass) |
63 |
| 1872 |
Hurdy-gurdy wooden waterwheel buckets replaced by curved, cast-iron buckets. (S N Knight, California) |
63 |
| 1872 |
Gas turbine with axial-flow compressor and multistage reaction turbine patented: built 1902-04. (F Stolze, Germany) |
66 |
| 1873 |
Kinetic theory of gases formulated. (James C Maxwell, Britain) |
61 |
| 1873 ca. |
Oil engine. (Geo Brayton) |
66 |
| 1874 |
First solar motor: half-hp engine, leads to pump at Universal Exposition in Paris 1878. (Augustine Mouchot, Tours, France) |
62 |
| 1875 |
Turbine pump patented: includes centrifugal impeller with vaned diffuser. (Osborne Reynolds, Manchester Univ) |
64 |
| 1876 |
Small hot-air engine invented: 1/4, 1/2, and 1 hp built, license sold to Britain 1877. (Rider, US) |
62 |
| 1876 - 1878 |
Reynolds-Corliss engine* developed: for pumping, mining machines, air compressors, etc. (Edwin Reynolds, Milwaukee, Wis) |
64 |
| 1876 |
Otto Silent Engine manufactured: patented in US in 1877 and then manufactured in US also. (Otto and Langen, Germany) |
65 |
| 1877 |
Single steam-heating plant* introduced: adopted in 1955 for Detroit District Heating. (Birdsill Holly, Lockport, NY) |
64 |
| 1877 |
Modern two-stroke cycle patented: commonly used in motorcycle engines and other small engines. (Karl Benz) |
65 |
| 1878 ca. |
Alternator invented with Fontaine. (Zenobe T Gramme, Paris) |
69 |
| 1879 |
G and J Weir's patent improves air removal system in steam condenser for turbines. (Weir, Britain) |
64 |
| 1879 - 1881 |
Two-stroke Clerk-cycle engine patented: first application of supercharger. (Dugald Clerk, Britain) |
65 |
| 1880 |
Direct-connected tangential waterwheel on air compressor invented: at iron works. (Edward A Rix, San Francisco) |
63 |
| 1880 |
Pelton waterwheel patented (impulse wheel): characterized by curved split buckets, high heads. (Lester A Pelton, California) |
63 |
| 1880 - 1889 |
High-head, impulse, and reactor-type water turbines developed by many. |
63 |
| 1880 |
Edison Electric Illuminating Company of NY founded to preside over first demonstration central station. (Thomas Edison, New York) |
69 |
| 1880 - 1889 |
Holly plans electrical distribution system after Edison's discovery. (Birdsill Holly, Lockport, NY) |
69 |
| 1881 |
First electric generation station in US. (Brush Electric) |
69 |
| 1881 |
Edison Machine Works founded to manufacture generators. (Thomas Edison, US) |
69 |
| 1881 |
First commercial supply of electricity becomes available from a central power station, with Siemens dynamo. (Godalming, UK) |
69 |
| 1882 - 1883 |
Single-wheel steam turbine invented: rotating at high speeds with helical gears in oil spray. (Karl G P de Laval, Sweden) |
64 |
| 1882 |
Pearl Street Station with Edison's dynamo* begins operating: becomes prototype. (Thomas Edison, New York City) |
69 |
| 1883 - 1884 |
Solar engine invented using parabolic trough; large solar pyrometer with polygonal reflector erected. (John Ericsson, US) |
62 |
| 1883 - 1885 |
Light-oil, moderate speed internal combustion engine patented: with surface carburettor, enclosed crankcase, and splash lubrication. (Gottlieb Daimler, Wurttemberg, Germany) |
65 |
| 1884 |
Stefan-Dolzman law in kinetic phenomena of gases formulated: Josef Stefan. (L Boltzmann, Austria-Hungary) |
61 |
| 1884 |
Central-valve high-speed steam engine patented. (P W Willans, Britain) |
64 |
| 1884 |
Code for the conduct of trials of steam boilers formulated: first Performance Test Codes. (ASME, Wm Kent, US) |
64 |
| 1884 |
Steam turbine invented: multistage axial-flow reaction turbine. (Charles Parsons, Britain) |
64 |
| 1884 |
High-speed direct-current generator and early turbo-alternator patents granted. (Charles Parsons, Britain) |
64 |
| 1885 |
Solar pumping system uses low boiling-point liquid and flat-plate collector. (Charles Tellier, Auteuil, France) |
62 |
| 1885 |
Convergent-divergent nozzle for steam turbine described. (Osborne Reynolds, Manchester Univ) |
64 |
| 1886 - 1903 |
Niagara Falls' hydroelectric (opens 1903): dynamos designed 1890 (McCormick turbine installed 1901). (Coleman Sellers, Canada, NY) |
63 |
| 1886 - 1889 |
Engine using the vapor of heavy oil patented 1886. (Dent and Priestman, Britain) |
65 |
| 1887 |
Reciprocating steam engines for power generation installed at Pratt Institute of Brooklyn*. (New York) |
64 |
| 1887 |
Compound reaction turbine built: includes high- and low-pressure stages. (Charles Parsons, Britain) |
64 |
| 1888 |
Largest windmill in world built: compound field dynamo, 108 storage batteries. (Charles F Brush, Cleveland, Ohio) |
62 |
| 1888 |
First turbine-driven generating set installed in public power station (turbo-alternators). (Charles Parsons, Newcastle, Britain) |
63 |
| 1889 - 1899 |
Steel windmills and steel towers manufactured: Aeromotor Company, founded 1889. (La Verne Noyes, Chicago) |
62 |
| 1889 |
Impulse turbine developed with nozzle; single-wheel turbine with reduction gearing for high speeds. (Karl G P deLaval, Stockholm, Sweden) |
64 |
| 1889 |
V-type twin cylinder petrol engine patented: used in cars, stationary engine, and motor launches. (Gottlieb Daimler, Wurttemberg, Germany) |
65 |
| 1890 ca. |
Enclosed high-speed steam engine, by Bellis and Morcom, invented. (A C Pain) |
64 |
| 1890 |
Oil engine using compression ignition principle patented: locomotive built 1896 by Hornsby. (Akroyd Stuart, Britain) |
65 |
| 1892 - 1895 |
Diesel engine patented 1892: Compression-ignition internal combustion engine using petrol oil achieves high thermal efficiency, his second engine was more practical, he published a book in 1893. (Rudolf Diesel, Augsburg, Germany and US) |
65 |
| 1893 - 1895 |
Superheated steam experiments to adapt small motor engines to power stations. (W H Patchell, Britain) |
62 |
| 1895 |
Folsom Power House 1* marks successful use of hydro power and power transmission. (GE and Folsom, Folsom, Calif) |
63 |
| 1895 |
Bucket-cutting machine for large steam turbines. (John Riddell (GE), Schenectady, NY) |
64 |
| 1895 |
Light high-speed petrol engine fit to motor-tricycle: precursor of single-cylinder air-cooled engine. (de Dion and Bouton, Puteaux, France) |
65 |
| 1896 |
Multistage impulse steam turbine patented (not in J6, pressure staged impulse turbine by 1900--Z6). (Auguste Rateau, France) |
64 |
| 1899 |
First US gas turbine patented: impulse turbine developed 1895-96 adopting velocity compounding instead of pressurecompounding. (Charles G Curtis, New York) |
64 |
|
20th Century |
|
1900 - 1901
|
Quantum theory of heat radiation introduces beginning of quantum mechanics: Planck awarded Nobel prize for physics in 1918. (Max Planck, Berlin) |
61 |
| 1900 ca. |
Bifurcated bucket impulse turbine (Pelton) developed: improves nozzle. (Abner Doble, US) |
66 |
| 1901 - 1904 |
Theory of boundary layers introduced: presented at Gottingen University (1918). (Ludwig Prandtl, Hanover, Germany) |
61 |
| 1901 - 1906 |
W H Nernst postulates third law of thermodynamics. (W H Nernst, Germany) |
61 |
| 1901 |
Constant-pressure (Brayton or Joule) cycle on a gas turbine patented. (Charles Lemale, France) |
66 |
| 1902 - 1903 |
Velocity-compounded steam turbine (patented 1896, rights sold to General Electric 1901). (Charles G Curtis, US) |
64 |
| 1902 - 1903 |
First radial engine fit into aircraft (for Langley): specific power output 4.24 kW/kg. (Charles Manly, US) |
66 |
| 1903 |
Hot-box flat-plate solar collector system patented: improvement on Tellier design (John Boyle). (H Willsie and Boyle, Needles, Calif) |
62 |
| 1903 |
Wright brothers fly: 4-cylinder in-line water-cooled petrol engine, get 12 hp at 900 rpm. (Wright brothers, Kitty Hawk) |
65 |
| 1903 - 1905 |
First (constant-pressure) gas turbine designed and operates: built 1905 by Rateau for Societe Anonyme des Turbomoteurs. (Charles Lemale, Rene Armengaud, Paris) |
66 |
| 1903 |
First (US) large control-station turbine installed at Fisk Street Station. (Frederick Sargent, Chicago) |
69 |
| 1904 |
Boston Edison adopts steam turbine as large-capacity prime mover. (Charles L Edgar, Boston) |
64 |
| 1905 - 1950 |
First development of electrical generation from geothermal source at Larderello: named for French engineer F de Larderel who conducted experiments in 1818. (Tuscany Valley, Italy) |
62 |
| 1905 |
Self-oiling mechanism for steam engine patented. (Le Grand Skinner) |
64 |
| 1905 |
(First supercharging) turbocharger patented (while in Belgium working for Carels Bros). (Alfred J Buchi, Winterthur, Switzerland) |
66 |
| 1905 - 1908 |
Gas turbine built 1905 (or 1908): tested by Brown Boveri 1909-13, credited as first economically practical. (Hans Holzwarth, Mannheim, Germany) |
66 |
| 1906 |
Georgetown Steam Plant. (Seattle) |
64 |
| 1907 |
Massachusetts first state to adopt law for boilers (more comprehensive than its 1849-50 law). (Massachusetts) |
64 |
| 1909 |
Dimensional analysis applied to convection heat transfer. (Wilhelm Nusselt, Germany) |
61 |
| 1909 |
Boiler Rules of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established. (Massachusetts) |
64 |
| 1910 |
Axial turbine designed 1910 and installed 1916: but Kaplan's resulted in general use. (Forrest Nagler) |
63 |
| 1910 - 1924 |
Adjustable, axial turbine* perfected: especially for run-of-river, low-head application. (Victor Kaplan, Brunn, Czechoslovakia) |
63 |
| 1910 |
STEAM AND GAS TURBINES published (influential in history of steam gas turbine development. (Aurel Stodola, Zurich, Switzerland) |
64 |
| 1911 |
Demonstration solar plant built: low temperature and pressure steam for Egyptian pumping station. (Frank Shuman, US and Egypt) |
62 |
| 1913 |
Shuman-Boys solar plant built: Shuman design uses parabolic modification. (F Shuman, C Boys, Meadi, Egypt) |
62 |
| 1914 |
Wood screw pump system* installed to drain New Orleans: built worldwide. (A B Wood, New Orleans) |
63 |
| 1914 |
Holzwarth turbine incorporates precompression and is built but never used (Z6). (Thyssen, Muhlheim, Ruhr) |
66 |
| 1915 |
ASME Boiler Code published: finalized 12/1914 and adopted 3/12/1915. (John A Stevens, US) |
64 |
| 1915 |
ASME Boiler Code stamp established: certified boilers to indicate compliance with code. (Buffalo, NY) |
64 |
| 1916 |
Film condensation theory. (Wilhelm Nusselt, Germany) |
61 |
| 1916 - 1950 |
Major developments in steam condenser tube corrosion and evolution of copper alloys. (UK) |
64 |
| 1916 |
Gas turbine with a single-stage centrifugal compressor built and tested. (Auguste Rateau, France) |
66 |
| 1916 - 1917 |
Turbine-driven supercharger for high-altitude aircraft engine patented and exported to US (GE). (Auguste Rateau, France) |
66 |
| 1918 |
First turbosupercharger tested atop Pikes Peak: GE device fit to Liberty airplane engine. (John A Macready, Sanford Moss, Colorado) |
66 |
| 1920 ca. |
High-speed piston engine using petrol fuel becomes popular for planes and automobiles. |
65 |
| 1920 - 1929 |
Bosch high-pressure injection pumps. (Robt Bosch) |
65 |
| 1920 |
Gilkes axial-flow (single-jet) impulse turbine designed. (Eric Crewdson, Kendal, Britain) |
66 |
| 1921 |
National Board of Pressure Vessel Inspectors organizes to assure uniform inspection practices. (US) |
64 |
| 1921 |
Principles of turbojet engine explored by Guillaume (France); patented. (Charles Guillaume, France) |
66 |
| 1923 |
Low-pressure heating boiler code adopted. (ASME, US) |
64 |
| 1923 |
Curtis steam-turbine generator* advances capacity of steam turbines: improves efficiency. (Curtis) |
64 |
| 1923 - 1924 |
Asiatic petroleum study tested internal combustion engine knock: toluene number scale established. (Harry R Ricardo, London) |
65 |
| 1925 |
Edgar Station*, Boston Edison, starts: first high-pressure (1,200 psig) steam turbine. (Weymouth, Mass) |
64 |
| 1925 |
X-ray examination of steel castings by Boston Edison Company reported to ASME Boiler Code Committee. (US) |
64 |
| 1926 |
American Marine Standards Committee adopts code for marine boilers using rules of the American Bureau of Shipping. (ASME, US) |
64 |
| 1927 |
Octane number supercedes toulene number in as standard antiknock fuel measurement. |
65 |
| 1928 ca. |
Pumped-storage hydroelectric system. |
63 |
| 1928 - 1930 |
Fusion welding of steel plate in boilers (significant to Codes and Standards). (US) |
64 |
| 1928 |
First commercial cooperative-fuel-research (CFR) engine* built: for testing fuels and lubrication in internal combustion engine. (Waukesha Motor Company, Wisconsin) |
65 |
| 1928 |
Holzwarth turbine design modified and installed in German steel plant in 1933. (Brown, Boveri, Germany) |
66 |
| 1929 |
Charles Abbot published THE SUN AND THE WELFARE OF MAN. (Charles Abbot) |
62 |
| 1929 |
State Line station* installs a triple-cross compound steam engine of 208 megawatts. (US) |
64 |
| 1930 ca. |
Gas engine replaced by diesel oil engine, electric motor, or steam turbines for some applications. |
65 |
| 1930 - 1939 |
Diesel engine refined, resulting in widespread use for railroad: improvements include fuel injection, prevent piston overheating, and improve its efficiency. (Charles Kettering, Dayton, Ohio) |
65 |
| 1930 - 1939 |
Detroit Diesel Allison's DDEC system (ASME gave it an award 1986 -- DES). |
65 |
| 1932 |
THE REGENERATION THEORY published: control systems for predetermined disturbance frequencies from combustion. (N Nyquist, US) |
61 |
| 1932 |
Patent granted for Whittle's jet engine: first jet engine developed 1929-30, but not built until 1938-41; called a turbojet because it used gas turbine. (Frank Whittle, Britain) |
66 |
| 1932 |
Velox boiler developed: with axial compressor to supercharge the boiler. (Brown Boveri, Switzerland) |
66 |
| 1933 |
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) receives Congressional direction for development. (Tennessee) |
60 |
| 1933 |
Chrome-nickel steel available: improved turbine life. |
66 |
| 1934 |
First twin-spool engine built: also the first Ljungstrom turboprops. (F and B Ljungstrom, Sweden) |
66 |
| 1935 ca. |
Lysholm gas turbine patents issued: later taken up by Svenska Flygmotor AB (Volvo). (Alf Lysholm, Sweden) |
66 |
| 1935 - 1936 |
Turbofan developed: patented 1935 by von Ohain; patent filed 1936 by Whittle in Britain. (Hans von Ohain, Germany) |
66 |
| 1935 |
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 passes: regulates electric industry. (Morris Cooke, US) |
69 |
| 1936 |
Time lag studies published on control system operations for combustion systems. (A Callendar, D R Hartree, and A Porter, Britain) |
61 |
| 1936 |
Radiographic examination of welds approved by ASME for boiler inspection. (ASME, US) |
64 |
| 1936 |
Turboprop engine first patented (single-shaft engine): later interested Gustav de Laval. (Ljungstrom brothers, Sweden) |
66 |
| 1936 |
First commercially successful turboshaft engine (industrial gas turbine) developed at Brown Boveri. (Adolf Meyer, Baden, Switzerland) |
66 |
| 1937 |
Babcock and Wilcox forged steel steam and water drums approved by ASME Boiler Code Committee. (ASME, US) |
64 |
| 1937 |
First liquid-fuel aircraft gas-turbine test: Whittle's first test stand engine, with single U-shaped combustor. (Frank Whittle, Britain) |
66 |
| 1937 |
First (Ernest) Heinkel turbine tested: originally based on Max Hahn's front-combuster gas turbine design. (Hans von Ohain, Rostock, Germany) |
66 |
| 1937 - 1940 |
Gas turbines for industrial and electric power generation introduced: experimental ship and rail. (Whittle, von Ohain, world trend) |
66 |
| 1938 |
First US installation of practical industrial gas turbine imported from Brown Boveri. (Allis-Chalmers, US, Germany) |
66 |
| 1939 |
Nimonic alloys (nickel-based alloys) for gas turbine blades produced: results in increase of temperature-strength properties, especially Nimonic 80. (Mond Nickel Co (in US 1941--Z6)) |
66 |
| 1939 |
Jumo 004 designed at Junkers Engine Company: first axial flow turbojet and first mass-produced jet engine; development begun 1936 (included work by Helmut Schelp). (Anselm Franz, Dessau, Austria) |
66 |
| 1940 ca. |
Advances in heat information aid development of several servomechanisms and improve communications. (C E Shannon) |
61 |
| 1941 |
Gas turbine development initiated in US. (NACA, Cleveland and DC) |
66 |
| 1941 |
Test plant for gas turbine compressors established. (Rolls-Royce, Derby, Britain) |
66 |
| 1942 |
World's first experimental nuclear reactor starts. (Enrico Fermi, Chicago) |
67 |
| 1943 ca. |
Rolls-Royce Merlin engine from Hurricane used to build Spitfire: Supermarine Aviation Works. (R J Miller, Britain) |
66 |
| 1943 |
First forged impellers made of Hiduminium-RR.58 alloy fit to Whittle engine: G Meteor Mark 1. (UK) |
66 |
| 1945 Late |
The Atomic Energy Research Establishment established at Harwell, England. (AERE, Britain) |
67 |
| 1946 |
Atomic Energy Act of 1946 enacted (revised 1954 for industrial use). ((Eisenhower), US) |
67 |
| 1946 - 1953 |
First fast reactor Clementine operates at Los Alamos. (New Mexico) |
67 |
| 1947 |
Philips hot-air engine developed: with coiled wire heat exchanger. (Philips) |
62 |
| 1947 |
Calandria-type nuclear research reactor at Chalk River commissioned: best for decade. (Anglo-French-Can, Canada) |
67 |
| 1948 |
First industrial gas turbine built in Scotland: open cycle, drives air compressor. (John Brown and Company, Scotland) |
66 |
| 1948 |
US Navy chooses pressurized water reactor design for submarine NAUTILUS (launched 1955). (H G Rickover, US) |
67 |
| 1949 |
Stratified-charge, spark-ignition engine developed: spurred by emission requirements. (Texaco, US) |
65 |
| 1949 |
Gas turbine-generator produces electricity at Belle Isle Station*: first in US for power generation. (Oklahoma) |
66 |
| 1949 |
Continuously variable stator nozzle-blades angle patented: for gas turbines. (Richard Barr, Britain) |
66 |
| 1949 |
Closed-cycle gas turbo-generator works in Paris. (Escher-Wyss, Paris) |
66 |
| 1949 |
USSR begins construction on a 5 MW (electrical) demonstration reactor (operates 1954). (USSR) |
67 |
| 1949 |
First hydrogen-cooled alternators operate in England, at Littlebrook B Power Station. (Britain) |
69 |
| 1950 ca. |
Kaplan turbines (up to 60-foot heads), Francis 60-900 ft, Pelton wheel 800-plus foot reach between 88-92 percent efficiency. |
63 |
| 1950 ca. |
BEA standardizes turbo-alternator size and steam conditions (example: Stourport station). (Britain) |
64 |
|
