James Gleason, Henry Ford and Others with Westinghouse Portable Steam Engine No. 345 at Ford Homestead, circa 1920

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Artifact Overview

Portable steam engines could be hauled from farm to farm to power grain threshers, sawmills, or corn shellers. While working on a farm in 1882, nineteen-year-old Henry Ford powered a portable Westinghouse engine - similar to the one seen here - more effectively than his boss. The accomplishment had a lasting effect--Ford continued to restore and operate portable steam engines well into the 20th century.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1920

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.953

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Width: 10 in

James Gleason, Henry Ford and Others with Westinghouse Portable Steam Engine No. 345 at Ford Homestead, circa 1920