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Actions Displays	Model Steam Carriage Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number06339 TitleModel Steam Carriage Creator William Murdoch (maker)‎ DescriptionThis model steam carriage is an excellent example of the power of knowledge and research. At one time thought to be a toy or model for a child, we now know that it is fact one of the earliest prototypes for a steam carriage, of national importance. We believe it was made in around 1790 by William Murdoch, a Scottish pioneer in the development of steam power and the first to make coal gas for public supply. William Murdoch was born in Cumnock, Ayrshire in 1754. A natural with mathematics and mechanics, he walked to Birmingham in 1777 to find work with the famous engineer James Watt. It was a fantastic career move - Murdoch worked for Boulton & Watt until he retired. He was sent first to Redruth in Cornwall to oversee the fitting of their steam engines. It was there he discovered the illuminating properties of coal gas and invented several elements to improve the steam engine. He is thought to have built and used the first ever steam-powered road-going vehicle in Cornwall in 1785. We believe he may have made our model engine there too. The first practical steam engines were developed to solve the problem of pumping water from flooded coal mines. The Newcomen engine, developed in the early 18th century, was the first commercially successful machine to do this. It was also used to drain wetlands, supply water to towns and power factories and mills. Murdoch helped Boulton & Watt to develop this even further, creating a nation powered by steam, from factories to trains, mills to shipping. Production date 1790 - 1830 Object nameModel, Steam Engine Toys, industrial, Science MaterialBronze Dimensions whole Length: 260 mm whole Height: 260 mm whole Width: 110 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number06339

TitleModel Steam Carriage

DescriptionThis model steam carriage is an excellent example of the power of knowledge and research. At one time thought to be a toy or model for a child, we now know that it is fact one of the earliest prototypes for a steam carriage, of national importance. We believe it was made in around 1790 by William Murdoch, a Scottish pioneer in the development of steam power and the first to make coal gas for public supply. William Murdoch was born in Cumnock, Ayrshire in 1754. A natural with mathematics and mechanics, he walked to Birmingham in 1777 to find work with the famous engineer James Watt. It was a fantastic career move - Murdoch worked for Boulton & Watt until he retired. He was sent first to Redruth in Cornwall to oversee the fitting of their steam engines. It was there he discovered the illuminating properties of coal gas and invented several elements to improve the steam engine. He is thought to have built and used the first ever steam-powered road-going vehicle in Cornwall in 1785. We believe he may have made our model engine there too. The first practical steam engines were developed to solve the problem of pumping water from flooded coal mines. The Newcomen engine, developed in the early 18th century, was the first commercially successful machine to do this. It was also used to drain wetlands, supply water to towns and power factories and mills. Murdoch helped Boulton & Watt to develop this even further, creating a nation powered by steam, from factories to trains, mills to shipping.

Production date 1790 - 1830

Object nameModel, Steam Engine

Toys, industrial, Science

MaterialBronze

Dimensions

whole Length: 260 mm
whole Height: 260 mm
whole Width: 110 mm