Henry Ford's "Kitchen Sink" Engine, 1893
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Henry Ford built his first experimental engine using scrap metal for parts. He tested it on the kitchen sink after supper on December 24, 1893. For ignition he ran a wire from the ceiling's light bulb. His wife, Clara, hand fed the gasoline to the intake valve while Henry spun the flywheel. The engine roared into action, shaking the sink.
Henry Ford built his first experimental engine using scrap metal for parts. He tested it on the kitchen sink after supper on December 24, 1893. For ignition he ran a wire from the ceiling's light bulb. His wife, Clara, hand fed the gasoline to the intake valve while Henry spun the flywheel. The engine roared into action, shaking the sink.
Artifact
Gas engine
Date Made
1893
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
00.2.127
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry and Clara Ford.
Material
Metal
Wood (Plant material)
Technique
Handmade
Dimensions
Height: 13 in (Diameter of flywheel - this represents overall height, but flywheel extends 3" below the artifact support board.)
Width: 35 in (This is overall length, with Flywheel attached. Without flywheel attached length of artifact support board is 32" (CMD))
Length: 15.25 in (this is the dimension with flywheel attached)
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