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Early Engines in Europe – Slovakia
Steve Grudgings on a unique tour From my interests in Early Engines I had long been aware that the first successful use of an atmospheric engine in Europe was somewhere in Hungary, in the 1720s, and that it was erected by Humphrey Potter. It had been covered in various papers by the Newcomen Society but that was about the extent of my knowledge. All this changed in late 2020 when David Perrett (of Newcomen Society and AIA fame) passed on a contact from a researcher in Germany. The researcher was involved in excavating the site of this engine. I duly got in touch and was delighted to receive emails and…
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IEEC2 – Conference accomplished. Part 1
We’re delighted (and exhausted) to say that the 2nd International Early Engines Conference successfully took place over three days at the Black Country Living Museum from Friday 8th October to Sunday 10th October. This post is an initial opportunity to thank all of our delegates, our speakers, our host venue, and especially our Sponsors – The Association for Industrial Archaeology, The Northern Mine Research Society and The South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group. A warm welcome awaited delegates on Friday as the Conference was introduced by Steve Grudgings and delegates received a facsimile copy of Henry Davey’s classic 1903 paper on the Newcomen Engine. We were also fortunate (and indeed unfortunate…
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IEEC2 Updates – Draft Agenda and visits
As we approach the final weeks before the Conference, we are pleased to provide updated details of the Agenda and running order for the 2nd International Early Engines Conference, to be held at the Black Country Living Museum, 8th-10th October 2021. In addition to the latest programme details, we have received an update from our friends at Sandfields Pumping Station (Litchfield Waterworks Trust) to share, prior to the conference visit on Friday 8th October 2021. Great to see such progress as we hopefully emerge from the past lockdowns. Finally, delegates intending to visit the BCLM’s Red by Night event on Saturday 9th October (requires an extra £12 charge) are now…
