A handy device for adding oil to that old automobile, from the pre-plastic bottle era. Remove the engine oil cap, insert spout, drop a can SAE30 into place and squeeze the handle to make a hole in the can. Manufactured by the Artra aluminum foundry in St. Charles, Missouri. The company was founded by Arthur E. Hoelting and partners, seemed to still be in operation into the 1980s.
Friday, April 26, 2024
Boiler explosion
"Ok, I think we should make a big steel cylinder with lots of tubes rivetted and/or welded in place, fill it with thousands of gallons of really hot water and pressurize it to 250 or 300 pounds per square inch, Then we should put it on wheels and run it down a railway track at 60 or 80 mph. What could go wrong?"
In this explosion, it looks like the front end of the boiler blew forward, tearing off the smoke box and smokestack, dragging most of the tubes along with them. No word on how the crew fared.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Cars in the 'hood, Mustang convertible
I'd drive that! According to an innocent bystander, this is a 1967 model. He pointed to the taillights and the horizontally folding rear window.
Boston by balloon
Taken in 1860 by James Wallace Black, surely this aerial photograph of Boston must be the first such feat?
Not exactly, the actual first birds eye view taken from a balloon was taken 2 years earlier. French photographer Gaspard-FĂ©lix Tournachon, captured the first aerial photographs, photographing Paris from a tethered balloon at an altitude of sixteen hundred feet. Due to the primitive developing system, the feat required him to carry a complete dark room with him. Unfortunately, those photographs have been lost.
This Boston photo shows The Old South Meeting House on the left (still there today), where Washington St., cutting down diagonally meets Milk St, winding down to the harbour.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Welland Canal-sized cargo carrier proposal
From Greatlakes-seaway.com; A distinctive type of vessel was developed for use in the inland canal system. The Great Lakes "canaler", a bulk carrier that is literally a self-propelling barge, with machinery at the stern and navigating bridge up forward, had a long, almost box-shaped cargo hold between. The "canalers" using the third canal had a maximum length of 79.9 m (262 feet) and could carry as much as 2,700 tonnes (3,000 tons). Larger ships were also built to sail from the Lakehead (Lake Superior) to Port Colborne where their 13,500 tonnes (15,000 tons) of cargo were transferred to several small "canalers". However, it soon became evident that these larger vessels should be able to move into the lower lakes and, between 1907 and 1912, plans were made for enlarging the canal once more. That canal opened in 1931 and is still in use today.
Continental wrench
192/ ABC Motorcycle
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Heidelberg , Germany Tram
A turn of the (last) century four wheel Heidelberg tram, complete with colourful advertising shown in the 1960s. Fast forward another 50 years and at least the advertiser is still doing well.
Monday, April 22, 2024
Camron US needle nose pliers
Wipac accessories, 1966
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Triumph Tiger Trail
The 1981 Tiger Trail was Triumph's response to the introduction of the BMW R80GS in 1980. The bike had longer suspension and was outfitted with plastic fenders and only available in bright yellow. The model was entered in several off-road races, where they did reasonably well.
The bike never was sold in North America and as it never really caught on in Europe, production was discontinued in 1982 with only about 180 units sold. Collector's piece indeed!
Sidecar Sunday
Captains Malins and Oliver, who travelled around the world on motorcycles in 1927 promoting the British film industry, pictured at the RAF base at Karachi where the engines were overhauled. The pair took just over a year to complete the trip. The 1000 cc OEC motorcycles gave little trouble but the sidecar frames were repaired many times.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
1932 Douglas K32
Friday, April 19, 2024
Panagra Airlines, 1959
Panagra, also known as Pan American-Grace Airways, was formed in 1928 as an airline for service in South America. Its first flight was a four passenger Fairchild flight between two cities in Peru but soon was flying between the US and various Central and South American destinations. The airline did well and in 1967 merged with Braniff.
Bevel King TL-700 Grozer pliers
Thanks, Inno! |
Thursday, April 18, 2024
1953 Corvette
Perfecto 2 speed differential for Ford Model T
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Nylint hot rod
I'm not sure about the relationship between the Buddy L and Nylint roadster hot rod toys, they look similar but not identical. Terry sends us a picture of his upgraded Nylint hot rod, with spiffy new wheels and radial tires.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Magneto synchronizer
By US industrial Tool and Supply Co. for aircraft engine tuning use, and still available today, magnetos are still common today.
Monday, April 15, 2024
BMW Modulo concept, 1978
Mack wrench
Here's a nice wrench made by Williams, likely for a Mack Truck tool kit. I would guess it would date to the 1920s?
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Know your knots!
Never was much good with knots!
A wall display by the Columbian rope and twine company of Auburn, New York. The company imported sisal and other fibre from the Philippines and Mexico and produced quality rope products from 1903 till 1982. Company history at the New York Heritage website.
Mercedes Benz at your Studebaker Packard dealer
From 1957 till 1963 Studebaker-Packard imported and serviced Mercedes Benz cars at their dealerships. The company was struggling, Packard made their last car in 1958, Studebaker in 1966. Mercedes was on the rise.
Friday, April 12, 2024
Launch of a Sloop of War
The Atlantic Works were located at Marion and Chelsea St. in East Boston.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
One of my vices is vises, Athol Machine Co. #69
This a fairly small vice with narrow 2" jaws. The A.M. Co. logo indicates pre 1921 (info from Mivise.com) but an unusual feature is the key slot mount. I haven't seen any other Athol vises online with that feature.
Chcago Specialty 3003 Spanner Wrench
Another spanner wrench for locknuts, this time from Chicago Specialty, who made all sorts of plumbing tools. I assume this might be used on locknuts on sink drains.