Greene Steam Engine, circa 1880

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Artifact Overview

Noble Greene designed this engine with an automatic cut-off valve that improved speed control. Greene invented this mechanism in 1855, but could not sell it because of a patent battle with George Corliss. The courts sided with Corliss and protected his valve mechanism claims preventing Greene from manufacturing his engine design until Corliss' patent expired in 1870.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Steam engine (Engine)

Date Made

circa 1880

Creator Notes

Designed by Noble T. Greene and manufactured by Providence Steam Engine Company in Providence, Rhode Island.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Made in America

Object ID

29.898.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Iron (Metal)
Steel (Alloy)
Brass (Alloy)

Dimensions

Width: 9.417 ft
Height: 10 ft
Diameter: 14 in (Bore)
Length: 22.458 ft
Length: 36 in (Stroke)

Specifications

Bore: 14 inches
Stroke: 36 inches
Speed: 90 revolutions per minute
Horsepower: approximately 90
Greene Steam Engine, circa 1880