Description: SEE MORE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS HERE: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=liancollect&store_name=liancollect&_oac=1&_nkw=antiqueTHE CREATION OF THE STEAM BELL: AN ALTERNATIVE INVENTION TO THE STEAM WHISTLE:This unique Victorian device is a prototype developed by Mather & Platt (a highly reputable company with countless inventions and patents that began operations in the first half of the 19th century and manufactured Edison's electric dynamo - read his story below this description). The most precise word to define the device of this listing does not even exist, and it is that of ¨¨ STEAM BELL¨¨. The closest word that can be found refers to a patent from 1854 belonging to G. B. Snow (US11307A), and it is ¨Ringing Bells by Steam¨. A completely different apparatus than the one offered here: a monumental bell with rotating bell-clapper and a body made of cast iron and driven by steam. It weighs about 110 pounds, has a height of 25 inches, a wide of 16.5 inches, a depth of 18.5 inches and a bell diameter of 16.5 inches whose resonance is amazing. Its design is unique and as it was an invention that did not prosper, it was never mass-produced. In the back side of the plate it is engraved M&P 37 (model or serial number). In more than 20 years selling scientific instruments I have never seen anything like it. An unknown and exceptional invention. Inside its cast iron body it has a wheel with 24 spoon-shaped ends that are driven by a flow of pressurized steam that comes out of a small hole in the base and is released through a hole at the top, turning the wheel quickly. In this way, the bell-clapper placed on the shaft rotates, causing the centrifugal force to raise its mobile round end and impact on the bell. An alternative way to generate a powerful sound to the classic steam whistle. The rotary bell-clapper of this steam bell could be moved with a conventional steam engine (with valve and piston). But a conventional steam engine requires many more parts, difficulties and time to be manufactured, so it would be much more expensive and the energy would dissipate more, among other reasons, due to greater friction. Therefore, a piece that use a conventional steam engine to spin the bell-clapper would be much more expensive and would make a less efficient use of the energy than the device offering here, extremely ingenious, with a strong and perfectly rhythmic sound. An invention that is the more efficient solution to generate and intense bell sound using steam energy. However is understandable that this invention did not prosper since the steam whistle was widely diffused and was simple and effective. On the other hand, this steam hood, although it generates a completely different rhythmic sound by impact, is more sophisticated and complex and therefore would have been more expensive.Because it is an exhibition prototype, this steam bell has a removable crank on the back to be operated manually, which allows you to show its operation and sound without having to connect it to a boiler. It also has a factory made structure that allows you to keep this crank at a distance to turn it easily and comfortably, also maintaining the appropriate distance between the bell and the ears so as not to generate a deafening effect that could damage them. Because it is a display prototype, it has also an elegant wooden base with two bronze buttons on sides as an austere and original factory decoration. This steam bell has all original parts and has been oiled to work perfectly (only screws has been replaced for new bronze ones made exactly has originals). To be sure of the incredible rarity of this device, I contacted an engineer specialized in the history of mechanics and he was completely unaware of the existence of this steam bell. If you are a bells or steam whistle collector, this will be, with no doubt, the main piece of your collection. We are therefore facing a historical piece, an example of the creativity, ingenuity and inventiveness of the industrial revolution and steam machines. This is a Victorian technology that offers and excellent and curious topic of conversation and operates in several levels, providing a visual and auditory experience, do to its impressive appearance and energetic sound. I can guarantee that you will never see a piece of these characteristics again, worthy of a museum with the highest standards. A device that is a testimony of an invention lost in history. MATHER & PLATT HISTORYWith its beginnings in Salford (near Manchester) England and moving later to Newton Heath, Manchester, Mather & Platt Ltd. became a pioneering company - in both product and workplace practice. The company had its origins in the early days of the Industrial Revolution when, in 1817, the first "Mather" business started a roller-turning facility in Salford near Manchester, England. The business prospered and in 1845 the Mathers leased part of the Salford Iron Works. Afterwards, the invention of the steam engine by virtue of its rôle as a prime-mover for industry was included in a catalogue of the firm's products. Colin Mather entered into partnership with William Platt, the son of John Platt, who had died in 1847. During the last quarter of the 19th century, the company developed an aggressive policy of rights acquisition - purchasing the rights to what it believed to be promising and fledgling inventions - in order to develop them still further and then market the tried and tested product with equal determination on an international scale not yet seen in the history of British industry. To this end, important strands of manufacture were developed. In 1873 Professor Osborne Reynolds had designed a turbine pump which was a definite advance in centrifugal pumping. In 1883 rights to manufacture Edison's electric dynamo were acquired by the firm and, as a result of improvements introduced by Dr. John Hopkinson, the Edison-Hopkinson dynamo reached a degree of perfection not previously known in such machines. The origin of the firm, the change to the partnership of Mather & Platt and, under William (later Sir William) Mather, the subsequent formation of a public company by the union of Mather & Platt with the firm of Dowson , Taylor & C°. Ltd., are the most important landmarks in the story. Mather and Platt Ltd. became the father of a world-wide industry, especially in Fire Protection. Further diversification of business included the manufacture of earth-boring and artesian well equipment, water purification plants, reciprocating pumps and centrifugal pumps of the volute type. But the story of Mather & Platt Ltd. is far more than just a tale of technical progress and the conquest of new markets. During the course of its long and illustrious history, the company acquired a tradition and an international reputation both of which have to be counted amongst its finest assets. The story of this company is a story set against an international as well as a national background. It contains facts of special interest and takes a look at social conditions. It encompasses the men who - and the machines which - helped to shape the world in which we live - a world that was so completely re-fashioned through the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries The beginning of the twentieth century saw vigorous development of pumps, textile, fire engineering and electrical businesses. The quest for innovation led to the development of power station pumps, large electric motors, Mulsifyre protection systems, machinery for food processing and preservation, special materials such as Duplex stainless steel, pumps and fire protection systems for offshore oil platforms, electronic fire and smoke detection systems. Mather and Platt became a leader in the design and manufacture of high quality engineered products and systems which protected life and property and improved living standards throughout the world. SHIPPING POLICYShipping costs via FedEx certified with on line tracking code is $ 500 (worldwide - 2 to 5 weeks to arrive). Because we make a huge and professional wooden package to protect it perfectly, handle time is 10 days after payment. All defects not mentioned but visible in the pictures will be considered as described. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your visit.
Price: 3200 USD
Location: Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
End Time: 2024-08-15T22:05:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 500 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom