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- Maudslay Production Lathe, circa 1800 - The work of Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) is fundamental to the development of industrial precision. This is the oldest industrial capacity precision machine tool in the world. Capable of machining to an accuracy of several thousandths of an inch, it enabled Maudslay's company to manufacture tools and engines to unprecedented standards -- and set the stage for even higher levels of precision.
- circa 1800
- Collections - Artifact
Maudslay Production Lathe, circa 1800
The work of Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) is fundamental to the development of industrial precision. This is the oldest industrial capacity precision machine tool in the world. Capable of machining to an accuracy of several thousandths of an inch, it enabled Maudslay's company to manufacture tools and engines to unprecedented standards -- and set the stage for even higher levels of precision.
- Screw Slotting Machine, circa 1850 - Rooted in a tension between human dexterity and dictated speed, this modest machine offers insight into both the possibilities and potential drudgery of volume production methods. While operation was simple (screw blanks, inserted by hand into the holes in the rotating drum, passed beneath spinning saw blades; slotted screws fell out into a waiting bin) it was also monotonously repetitive.
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Screw Slotting Machine, circa 1850
Rooted in a tension between human dexterity and dictated speed, this modest machine offers insight into both the possibilities and potential drudgery of volume production methods. While operation was simple (screw blanks, inserted by hand into the holes in the rotating drum, passed beneath spinning saw blades; slotted screws fell out into a waiting bin) it was also monotonously repetitive.
- Screw Machines at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894 - Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the belt-driven machinery located inside its factory.
- circa 1894
- Collections - Artifact
Screw Machines at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894
Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the belt-driven machinery located inside its factory.
- Lathe, Used by the Wright Brothers, circa 1895 - The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Lathe, Used by the Wright Brothers, circa 1895
The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.