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"All
I can say is -- Wow!"
That's what
one collector said when he saw advance pages of this very special
book. Here is the story of internal combustion in full color!
Beautiful Engines presents some of the world's most important
engines, each one professionally photographed. Flame ignition,
hot tube ignition, hit-or-miss, make-and-break, jump spark, diesel
– they're all here.
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story begins with the remarkable Lenoir of 1861 (You've heard of
it but have you ever seen and studied one?). Next is the fascinating
Otto and Langen of 1867 followed by an incredible variety of stationary
and marine engines. From Atlas and Daimler to Foos and International;
from Best and Fairbanks-Morse to Union and Wolverine – every engine
has been staged and then photographed in color. You'll find engines
from the famous collections of the Rough & Tumble Engineers,
Coolspring Power Museum, Mercedes-Benz Museum, and from private
collectors around the U.S.
A variety
of applications is presented to show the true impact and drama
of the internal combustion century. You'll find a White &
Middleton used to generate electricity, a Gray farm engine, a
classic Lathrop one-lunger marine engine, a Samson that powered
an irrigation pump, a Western used in a mine, the world's first
four-cylinder engine -- a Daimler developed for use in a boat.
And these are only a sampling.
In addition
to the remarkable images, the operation of the more complex engines
is described and key components are labeled. What's more, the
history of the men behind the engines is told in stories that
show you the true drama and genius that fueled the internal combustion
century. From Ransom Olds and Edward Witte, to Nicolaus Otto and
Wilhelm Maybach, you'll gain new and fascinating insights from
their skillfully told stories. The author based his research on
contemporary magazines, sales literature, interviews with descendents
and collectors, and a new translation of an important but
long out-of-print German history of that country's engine industry.
Be prepared for some surprises!
Whether your
primary interest is stationary or marine engines, or internal
combustion in general, Beautiful Engines is a book you'll refer
to and share time and again in the years ahead.
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