Henry Ford’s Steam Engines

9 artifacts in this set

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The staff at The Henry Ford

Henry Ford documented the evolution of steam power with a large collection of historically and personally significant steam engines. Here is a selection—from the oldest known steam engine to one Ford had operated as a teenager—from The Henry Ford.

Detailed Description

Avery Steam Traction Engine, circa 1916

Steam traction engine

Massive steam engines like the Avery were generally used on the large farms of the Great Plains, though this engine was used on Ford Farms in Dearborn, Michigan. It generated 30 horsepower, but weighed 23 tons! More efficient tractors, like the Fordson, which could generate 20 horsepower but weighed just over one ton, soon replaced these dinosaurs of the farm.