Thursday, July 17, 2025
Massey Toronto Light Binder
In the late 1800s, farm equipment trials were the sporting spectacles of the day. In 1889 Massey went to the event in Paris with their "Toronto Light Binder" and came home with not only a gold medal but also a Grand Object of Art Award.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Sikorsky S-38 "Osa's Ark"
The S-38 was a well performing 10 seat flying boat introduced in 1928. It was able to cruise at 100 mph with a range of 600 miles with good landing and takeoff characteristics. It could also fly on one engine (important at that time).
1956 Cadillac
In this ad the woman's gown is featured more prominently than the car- and no gown credits even given... someone slipped up.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Goodyear airship, Pilgrim
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Aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithonian, 1985 |
In the mid 1920s Goodyear constructed a number of small scale airships designed to demonstrate and train pilots in lighter-than-air craft, the Pilgrim was one of these. It was made of a magnesium coated steel tube frame with a rubberized fabric balloon. The envelope had a capacity of 55,000 cubic feet of gas and was the first airship designed to utilize helium as the lifting gas.
The engine was a single Lawrence air-cooled three cylinder engine of 40 hp, with a 40 gallon fuel tank, giving it had a range of 525 miles. Launched in 1925, it made 4765 flights before being retired in 1931.
Below, landing atop the M. O'Neil department store in Akron, Ohio. That must be the railway terminal on the left in the background.
Monday medal mystery
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Marion Model 35
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Mike Filey, Victor Russell, From Horse Power to Horsepower, Toronto 1890-1930, Dundurn Press, 1991 |
This Marion steam shovel cost the City of Toronto $8665 in 1911 and was described as a "self propelled, full circle" steam shovel. It was used to prepare the right of way for the Gerrard St. streetcar line.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
White House renovation
Friday, July 11, 2025
Oliver Table saw 1921
Looking at this saw, it's apparent that even though a hundred years have gone by, except for the cast iron construction, table saws haven't changed much. The company is still in business today, moved to Seattle in 2000. Oliver Heritage Pages
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Gisholt turret lathe
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Le Depassionne |
Gisholt Machine Co. was started by John A. Johnson of the Fuller and Johnson farm equipment company, he started the company to build production machinery for making the farm machinery. Their display at Columbian Exposition in 1893 resulted in a sale of a turret lathe to Germany in 1894. After a rocky start, the business grew from there. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1901, his sons continued the business and the company ran on for another 6 decades making mostly production lathes. History at the Norwegian American history site.
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John Crerar Library |
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Vintage Machinery |
Monday, July 7, 2025
Q.S. Backus angle extension
Here's a handy angle extension accessory for your brace and bit, made to 1872 patent 132,790 by Quimby S. Backus. As the patent description reads, "a device for holding a bit-brace for boring at an angle firmly at the desired angle.."
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Concrete block machine
Saturday, July 5, 2025
More hay rake troubles
Friday, July 4, 2025
Continental tires
During the 1912 Belgian Grand Prix, for reasons not explained, the Continental tire depot was set up on a barge in a canal.