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Invention Collection

Background imageInvention Collection: Illustration from the childrens book The Adventures of Uncle Lubin

Illustration from the childrens book The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, 1902. From a private collection

Background imageInvention Collection: Sectional view of a Newcomen steam engine, 1737

Sectional view of a Newcomen steam engine, 1737. Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) designed his atmospheric or steam engine in 1712

Background imageInvention Collection: Newcomen steam engine, 1747

Newcomen steam engine, 1747. Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) designed his atmospheric or steam engine in 1712

Background imageInvention Collection: James Nasmyths steam hammer erected in his foundry near Manchester in 1832

James Nasmyths steam hammer erected in his foundry near Manchester in 1832. The steam hammer was invented by the Scottish engineer and inventor James Nasmyth (1808-1890)

Background imageInvention Collection: Siebe and Harrisons patent ice-making machine, 1862

Siebe and Harrisons patent ice-making machine, 1862. This machine was patented by James Harrison in Australia in 1859, and the design was then improved by Augustus Siebe & Co of London in 1861

Background imageInvention Collection: The aeroplane proposed by Henson in his patent of 1842, c1936 (c1937)

The aeroplane proposed by Henson in his patent of 1842, c1936 (c1937). William Samuel Henson (1812-1888) was a pre-Wright brothers aviation engineer and inventor from Nottingham, England

Background imageInvention Collection: Sailing on skates, 1880. Creator: William James Palmer

Sailing on skates, 1880. Creator: William James Palmer
Sailing on skates, 1880

Background imageInvention Collection: Millstream, 1838. Creator: Adolph Tidemand

Millstream, 1838. Creator: Adolph Tidemand
Millstream, 1838.

Background imageInvention Collection: Self-Portrait with a Recent Invention, about 1854. Creator: William Constable

Self-Portrait with a Recent Invention, about 1854. Creator: William Constable
Self-Portrait with a Recent Invention, about 1854. Additional Info: William Constable was both an artist and inventor

Background imageInvention Collection: Simms Motor Scout armoured quadricycle, c1899

Simms Motor Scout armoured quadricycle, c1899. This vehicle carried a Maxim gun, 1000 rounds of ammunition, an iron shield for the driver's protection and fuel for 120 miles

Background imageInvention Collection: Leon Serpollet on his first steam tricycle, 1887

Leon Serpollet on his first steam tricycle, 1887. In 1890 Serpollet travelled the 286 miles from Paris to Lyon on a steam tricycle, the journey taking 15 days

Background imageInvention Collection: Two men in field with an agricultural machine hooked up to a team of horses

Two men in field with an agricultural machine hooked up to a team of horses, about 1865

Background imageInvention Collection: Experiments with new life-saving apparatus on the Thames, 1869. Creator: Unknown

Experiments with new life-saving apparatus on the Thames, 1869. Creator: Unknown
Experiments with new life-saving apparatus on the Thames, 1869. Demonstration of...Captain J. B

Background imageInvention Collection: Sir Francis Ronalds, inventor of an electric telegraph, 1870. Creator: Unknown

Sir Francis Ronalds, inventor of an electric telegraph, 1870. Creator: Unknown
Sir Francis Ronalds, inventor of an electric telegraph, 1870. Engraving of a painting by Hugh Carter, nephew of Sir Francis

Background imageInvention Collection: Medal presented to Captain Ward, 1870. Creator: Unknown

Medal presented to Captain Ward, 1870. Creator: Unknown
Medal presented to Captain Ward, 1870. The inspector of life-boats to the Royal National Life-Boat Institution, Captain J. R. Ward, R.N

Background imageInvention Collection: A £3000 war-ship destroyer that is steered by 'wireless'; the Gabet Torpedo-craft

A £3000 war-ship destroyer that is steered by "wireless"; the Gabet Torpedo-craft
A £3000 war-ship destroyer that is steered by "wireless"; the Gabet Torpedo-craft, 1909

Background imageInvention Collection: Telegraph diagram and reading-plate of Sir F

Telegraph diagram and reading-plate of Sir F. Ronald's electric telegraph, 1870. Diagrams of...the instrument contrived by Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: The Sea-Messenger, to convey letters from ships in peril, 1870. Creator: Unknown

The Sea-Messenger, to convey letters from ships in peril, 1870. Creator: Unknown
The Sea-Messenger, to convey letters from ships in peril, 1870. The little vessel represented in our Illustration has been invented by Mr. J. A. R

Background imageInvention Collection: Thomson's road-steamer and coal-waggons, 1870. Creator: Unknown

Thomson's road-steamer and coal-waggons, 1870. Creator: Unknown
Thomson's road-steamer and coal-waggons, 1870

Background imageInvention Collection: Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and his forces attacking the fortress of Zaranj in 1003

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and his forces attacking the fortress of Zaranj in 1003. From Jami al-tawarikh, 1314. Found in the Collection of the University of Edinburgh

Background imageInvention Collection: Mongols Catapult (trebuchet), from the Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya

Mongols Catapult (trebuchet), from the Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya (Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices). Found in the Collection of the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

Background imageInvention Collection: Mongolian siege of Gerdkuh. From La Flor des estoires de la terre d'Orient

Mongolian siege of Gerdkuh. From La Flor des estoires de la terre d'Orient (Flower of the Histories of the East) by Hayton of Co, First third of the 14th cen

Background imageInvention Collection: Conquest of Baghdad by the Mongols on 1258

Conquest of Baghdad by the Mongols on 1258. From Jami al-tawarikh, First third of the 14th cen.. Found in the Collection of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin

Background imageInvention Collection: Corvus (boarding drawbridge) of Gaius Duilius

Corvus (boarding drawbridge) of Gaius Duilius. Illustration from The Histories by Polybius, 1759-1760. Found in the Collection of the Private Collection

Background imageInvention Collection: Ice Auto, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Ice Auto, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Ice Auto, between c1910 and c1915

Background imageInvention Collection: Sir Hiram Maxim, between c1915 and 1916. Creator: Bain News Service

Sir Hiram Maxim, between c1915 and 1916. Creator: Bain News Service
Sir Hiram Maxim, between c1915 and 1916. Shows inventor Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (1840-1916)

Background imageInvention Collection: The Atmospheric Railway at Dawlish, 1847, (1945). Creator: Unknown

The Atmospheric Railway at Dawlish, 1847, (1945). Creator: Unknown
The Atmospheric Railway at Dawlish, 1847, (1945). Railway line running along the sea front in the town of Dawlish on the south coast of Devon

Background imageInvention Collection: Stephensons (1833) Locomotive, (1887). Creator: Unknown

Stephensons (1833) Locomotive, (1887). Creator: Unknown
Stephensons (1833) Locomotive, (1887). Diagram showing fire box, smoke box, steam head, boiler, wheels and flanges etc

Background imageInvention Collection: Eugene Lauste recording the first combined moving image and sound, c1905, (1935)

Eugene Lauste recording the first combined moving image and sound, c1905, (1935). Eugene Lauste may be seen already experimenting with " Talkies"

Background imageInvention Collection: Machine to produce gold foil, ca 1493. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Machine to produce gold foil, ca 1493. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Machine to produce gold foil, ca 1493. Found in the Collection of Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Background imageInvention Collection: Fountain. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Fountain. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Fountain. Found in the Collection of Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Background imageInvention Collection: Study of two mortars able to throw explosive bombs, 1478-1518. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci

Study of two mortars able to throw explosive bombs, 1478-1518. Creator: Leonardo da Vinci
Study of two mortars able to throw explosive bombs, 1478-1518. Found in the Collection of Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Background imageInvention Collection: The Bridge ( Ponte salvatico ). Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

The Bridge ( Ponte salvatico ). Creator: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Bridge (" Ponte salvatico" ). Found in the Collection of Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Background imageInvention Collection: Perspectograph (optical instrument)

Perspectograph (optical instrument), Between 1480 and 1518. Found in the Collection of Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Background imageInvention Collection: Lundin lifeboats, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Lundin lifeboats, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Lundin lifeboats, between c1910 and c1915. Shows metal lifeboats designed by Andreas Petrus (Andrew Peter) Lundin (1869-1929), of New York for the Welin Marine Equipment Company

Background imageInvention Collection: Lundin Life Boat, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Lundin Life Boat, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Lundin Life Boat, between c1910 and c1915. Shows metal lifeboats designed by Andreas Petrus (Andrew Peter) Lundin (1869-1929), of New York for the Welin Marine Equipment Company

Background imageInvention Collection: McCarthy wireless phone, L.A. between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

McCarthy wireless phone, L.A. between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
McCarthy wireless phone, L.A. between c1910 and c1915

Background imageInvention Collection: The Rev. Patrick Bell, L.L.D. inventor of the Reaping-Machine, 1868. Creator: Unknown

The Rev. Patrick Bell, L.L.D. inventor of the Reaping-Machine, 1868. Creator: Unknown
The Rev. Patrick Bell, L.L.D. inventor of the Reaping-Machine, 1868. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. E. Strachan

Background imageInvention Collection: The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps:working galleries

The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps:working galleries
The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps: amalgamation of the second and third working galleries, 1869

Background imageInvention Collection: The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps: boring-machine

The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps: boring-machine in the tunnel, 1869. The Sardinian Government then appointed M. Maus, a Belgian engineer, and M

Background imageInvention Collection: The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps: boring-machine

The new overland route to India and the railway tunnel of the Alps: boring-machine in the second working gallery, 1869. An English engineer, Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: Experiments with Norton's Patent Tube-Wells

Experiments with Norton's Patent Tube-Wells, used by our army in Abyssinia, 1868

Background imageInvention Collection: Experiments with l'Extincteur on the Thames Embankment before the Prince of Wales

Experiments with l'Extincteur on the Thames Embankment before the Prince of Wales
Experiments with l'Extincteur on the Thames Embankment [in London] before the Prince of Wales, 1868

Background imageInvention Collection: Menotti Nanni's safe, 1918. Creator: Bain News Service

Menotti Nanni's safe, 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
Menotti Nanni's safe, 1918

Background imageInvention Collection: Lieut. Scott's Aero Bomb, (1912?). Creator: Bain News Service

Lieut. Scott's Aero Bomb, (1912?). Creator: Bain News Service
Lieut. Scott's Aero Bomb, (1912?). Probably shows bomb sighting and dropping device designed by Lieutenant Riley E. Scott in 1911

Background imageInvention Collection: Edison Storage Battery Train, 1912. Creator: Bain News Service

Edison Storage Battery Train, 1912. Creator: Bain News Service
Edison Storage Battery Train, 1912

Background imageInvention Collection: Bermocchi & his wireless 'iconograph'

Bermocchi & his wireless "iconograph"
Francesco de Bernocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915

Background imageInvention Collection: Bermocchi & his wireless 'iconograph'

Bermocchi & his wireless "iconograph"
Francesco de Bernocchi & his wireless "iconograph", between c1910 and c1915

Background imageInvention Collection: Maurice Fernez, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

Maurice Fernez, between c1910 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
Maurice Fernez, between c1910 and c1915

Background imageInvention Collection: Model of a fish-ladder for salmon to ascend milldams and weirs

Model of a fish-ladder for salmon to ascend milldams and weirs, on view at the office of the Inspector of Fisheries, in Whitehall, 1864. Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: Professor Hasner's automatic eyeball, 1862. Creator: Unknown

Professor Hasner's automatic eyeball, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Professor Hasner's automatic eyeball, 1862....mechanical model of the eye

Background imageInvention Collection: Electro-ballistic apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon-shot, 1864. Creator: Unknown

Electro-ballistic apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon-shot, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Electro-ballistic apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon-shot, 1864. Apparatus invented by Major Navez, of the Belgian Artillery

Background imageInvention Collection: Captain Urquhart experimenting with his Life-Preserving Raft on the Thames

Captain Urquhart experimenting with his Life-Preserving Raft on the Thames, [in London] 1858

Background imageInvention Collection: Bray's Traction-engine, 1858. Creator: Unknown

Bray's Traction-engine, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Bray's Traction-engine, 1858....thousands of spectators...seemed much interested and astonished on seeing a steam-engine traversing the streets of London...Attached was a truck, or platform

Background imageInvention Collection: Soyer's Barrack Cooking Apparatus, 1858. Creator: Unknown

Soyer's Barrack Cooking Apparatus, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Soyer's Barrack Cooking Apparatus, 1858. Improved technology to improve soldiers diets during the Crimean War

Background imageInvention Collection: Hellard's Patent Victoria Side-Delivery Reaping and Mowing Machine

Hellard's Patent Victoria Side-Delivery Reaping and Mowing Machine, 1860. Cutting the corn [ie wheat] when it is ripe is one of the most important operations of harvest...the improvements [Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: Locomotive Steam-carriage for common roads

Locomotive Steam-carriage for common roads, built for the Earl of Caithness, 1860....a steam-carriage...with which his Lordship, accompanied by Lady Caithness, the Rev, W. Ross, and Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: Distant Fronts, In Palestine; For walking on sand, 1917. Creator: Unknown

Distant Fronts, In Palestine; For walking on sand, 1917. Creator: Unknown
Distant Fronts, In Palestine; For walking on sand, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume 2" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Background imageInvention Collection: Christmas Holidays at the Polytechnic: the Electric Machine - drawn by H

Christmas Holidays at the Polytechnic: the Electric Machine - drawn by H. G. Hine, 1858

Background imageInvention Collection: Experiments made with Stevens's Bread-making Machine at Marylebone Workhouse

Experiments made with Stevens's Bread-making Machine at Marylebone Workhouse, 1858. Mr

Background imageInvention Collection: Diopter. Creator: Anon

Diopter. Creator: Anon
Diopter

Background imageInvention Collection: Invention, 1748. Creator: Louis Fabritius Dubourg

Invention, 1748. Creator: Louis Fabritius Dubourg
Invention, 1748

Background imageInvention Collection: Curious musical instruments of the sixteenth century, 1860. Creator: Unknown

Curious musical instruments of the sixteenth century, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Curious musical instruments of the sixteenth century, 1860

Background imageInvention Collection: The Electric Target invented by Lieut. Chevalier, 1860. Creator: Unknown

The Electric Target invented by Lieut. Chevalier, 1860. Creator: Unknown
The Electric Target invented by Lieut. Chevalier, 1860

Background imageInvention Collection: Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860. Creator: Unknown

Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860

Background imageInvention Collection: Les Parisiens ayant trouvé le moyen de circuler... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier

Les Parisiens ayant trouvé le moyen de circuler... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Les Parisiens ayant trouve le moyen de circuler... 19th century. Parisians have found a way of getting around on tarmacked boulevards during rainy weather

Background imageInvention Collection: Leonard D.Mahon with Steel Helmet He Invented That Could Be Used As Shovel

Leonard D.Mahon with Steel Helmet He Invented That Could Be Used As Shovel, 1917

Background imageInvention Collection: Leonard D. Mahon with steel helmet he invented that could be used as shovel

Leonard D. Mahon with steel helmet he invented that could be used as shovel, 1917

Background imageInvention Collection: Life Saving Suit Worn By T. Aud, 1916

Life Saving Suit Worn By T. Aud, 1916

Background imageInvention Collection: Archimède démontrant aux ingènieurs anglais... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier

Archimède démontrant aux ingènieurs anglais... 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Archimede demontrant aux ingenieurs anglais... 19th century. Archimedes showing the English engineers how, in Syracuse, he raised not just one vessel but an entire fleet

Background imageInvention Collection: Mergenthaler, Ottmar, 2nd Linotype Machine with Band

Mergenthaler, Ottmar, 2nd Linotype Machine with Band
2nd Linotype Machine with Band, invented By Ottmar Mergenthaler; 3rd design he invented at Smithsonian, 1917

Background imageInvention Collection: The Revival of Learning, the Invention of Printing and Gunpowder and the Discovery of America

The Revival of Learning, the Invention of Printing and Gunpowder and the Discovery of America, 1784

Background imageInvention Collection: Sketch for the dome of the Denon pavilion at the Louvre: l'invention (ou la sculpture)

Sketch for the dome of the Denon pavilion at the Louvre: l'invention (ou la sculpture), 1864. "The four artistic ages of France": Invention (or Sculpture)

Background imageInvention Collection: The Dandy and His Postillion - or the Waay to Laugh Up Hill, 1819. Creator: William Heath

The Dandy and His Postillion - or the Waay to Laugh Up Hill, 1819. Creator: William Heath
The Dandy and His Postillion - or the Waay to Laugh Up Hill, 1819. Ha! Ha! Ha! poor fellow! goodbye! He! He! He!'. Cus these hills! If the lace of my Stays should break I'm done over'

Background imageInvention Collection: Going to the Races, published May 14, 1819. Creator: William Heath

Going to the Races, published May 14, 1819. Creator: William Heath
Going to the Races, published May 14, 1819. Carriage pulled by men riding hobby horses, a forerunner of the bicycle lacking pedals and brakes. Attributed to William Heath

Background imageInvention Collection: A Family Party Taking an Airing, 1819. Creator: William Heath

A Family Party Taking an Airing, 1819. Creator: William Heath
A Family Party Taking an Airing, 1819. A hobby horse (a forerunner of the bicycle) adapted to carry a passenger (and her pets). The rider is teased by monkeys. Attributed to William Heath

Background imageInvention Collection: Capt. Buzzcott's army kitchen

Capt. Buzzcott's army kitchen
Capt. Buzzcott's [sic] army kitchen, between 1910 and 1920. USA Motor Field Kitchen, designed by Francis H. Buzzacott

Background imageInvention Collection: Interior of the Gallery of Machines at the 1889 Universal Exhibition

Interior of the Gallery of Machines at the 1889 Universal Exhibition, 1889

Background imageInvention Collection: Steam Sewing-Machines, 1854. Creator: Unknown

Steam Sewing-Machines, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Steam Sewing-Machines, 1854

Background imageInvention Collection: Unidentified Machine Model, between 1914 and 1918

Unidentified Machine Model, between 1914 and 1918

Background imageInvention Collection: Unidentified Machine Model, between 1914 and 1918

Unidentified Machine Model, between 1914 and 1918

Background imageInvention Collection: Affiche pour le Musée Grévin, 'Pantomimes lumineuses'

Affiche pour le Musée Grévin, "Pantomimes lumineuses"
Affiche pour le Musee Grevin, "Pantomimes lumineuses". c1896. [Publisher: Imprimerie Chaix; Place: Paris]

Background imageInvention Collection: Professor Myers Air Bicycle, 1891. Creator: Unknown

Professor Myers Air Bicycle, 1891. Creator: Unknown
Professor Myers Air Bicycle, 1891. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 44. July to December, 1891

Background imageInvention Collection: Cannon Revolver, exhibited in the Marine Museum

Cannon Revolver, exhibited in the Marine Museum, at Paris, 1854....an instrument invented some time ago. M



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