Kid-built oil barrel locomotive
14 year olds of 2006, meet your predecessors from Mechanix 1933, you have your work cut out for you… – Link.
Transportation
Human Electric trike – electrically assisted human powered trike
Simon from Big Blue Saw writes – “One of our customers is working on a very interesting project: a human electric trike. Some of the waterjet cut parts from Big Blue Saw are visible in this blog post.” – Link & parts. Related: Make 3D parts…Big Blue Saw – Link. HOW TO – Make a […]
The Darby Steam-Digger
MAKE pal Benjiwenjifoofoo sent in this I-Wei style tractor from the 1800’s – “The Darby Steam-Digger, a light traction engine, was invented circa 1879 by Farmer Thomas Darby and built at Lodge Farm Pleshey, near Chelmsford in Essex, England. Robert Hasler, seen driving the Digger, helped to build this first prototype. In effect the machine […]
John Farr’s Skeleton Bike
This custom bike is freaking sweet (and Halloween-ish!)… [via] – Link.
Restoration of the Hubbard Steam-Powered Motorcycle
Jim writes – “This project involves restoration of a rather rare breed of machine. Very few steam-powered motorcycles are known with the majority of historic “steamcycles” residing in museums (e.g., the “Field” steam motorcycle). There has been very little commercial exploitation of applying steam power to two-wheeled vehicles, so most “steamcycles” that come to light […]
Hiram Maxim – The first man to fly a heavier than air machine
The first flight…was steam powered! – “When the Wright brothers telegraphed home after Kitty Hawk, the only bit of their telegram which was commented on by the local press was “Wright brothers home for Christmas”. Why wouldn’t the press be carrying “Wright brothers first to fly” banners if they had just made history? The answer […]
The World’s first fully-tracked vehicle
Ray Hooley’s Ruston-Hornsby engine pages have the history and photos of many of the Ruston-Hornsby engines/machines including this “chain tractor” – ” The World’s first fully-tracked vehicle – 1905 Hornsby chain tractor: 20hp Hornsby-Akroyd engine, weighing c. 10 tons crossing a 1.4metre wide water-filled ditch. Meanwhile, they achieved speeds of 25mph (40km/h) with more advanced […]
