Here are some pictures which I have taken of engines and various other interesting items contained in the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
Above: A great little model of an engine to be found on a paddle steamer. This model is actually quite small.
Above: Doubtless, many many hours of loving labour were poured into this incredible model steam locomotive.
Above: Believe it or not, in the forground is a steam engine! It fits in the aircraft which is hung behind it which was built by the frenchman, Clément Ader between 1892 and 1897. There are claims that it flew for a short period of time, but it seems no one knows for sure anymore. On the far left of the photograph you can see the crankshaft and some small counterweights contained inside a wire cage. A lot of effort went into making the engine light weight, and although considered primative by some, I must say that some of the techniques used to make this engine were quite amazing, having inspected it at close range.
Above: Quite an advanced version of the oscillating engines which are quite common on steam toys.
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Above: It is difficult to describe what is happening here, so I have included a short video, in which it is featured at around 12 seconds.
Above: This is one of my favourite engines. I'm a fan of overhead-crank engines and this one is packed with detail. It is one of the most elegant engines I've seen.
Above: Another interesting engine.
Above: An unusually built eccentric on this engine.
Above: This engine looks to have been built for a very specific purpose, though i have no idea what that might have been.
Above: Quite a tidy engine. I love the chunky flywheels. Notice the mechanism which keeps the piston rod in line - it requires that the conrod needs to be split in two. I think there are five cylinders and there looks to be at two different sizes of cylinder suggesting either that it is some kind of compound engine or the outer cylinders do a different job. I'm not quite sure what is going on with the valving!
Above: A beautifully ornamented beam engine with a Watt linkage. Great paint job and elegant design!
Above: This engine looks like it means business. I wonder how powerful it is at full steam?
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Above: The last two steam engines I have pictures of from this museum.
Above: I know - not a steam engine, not even close. I thought it warranted a place here for a laugh if nothing else! Imagine arriving at work in this beauty - a propellor driven car!
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