Talk:Josiah Hornblower

Latest comment: 12 years ago by Tomligon in topic First American Steam Engine

First American Steam Engine

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This link [1] seems to tell a different story. Cutler 14:04, 17 June 2006 (UTC)Reply

Also, this one: [2]

Being in the Continental Congress means Hornblower knows the Founding Fathers, who will be swamped with steam inventors from 1787 when Fitch demonstrates a steamboat at the Constitutional Convention. Steam engines will thus be nothing new to them at that time. The engine he installed winds up being mentioned in an 1803 report by Benjamin Latrobe. The Schuyler is close enough to Oliver Evans' birthplace that this is probably the engine that first exposed him to the concept. But probably the most important link missing in the main article is to Nicholas Roosevelt, whom Latrobe considers a partner. Roosevelt will work with Hornblower to build a Newcommen copy, but they they will go on to build engines in the Bolton and Watt pattern. Those engines will be used by Stevens, Livingston, and Fulton in their early steamers, ca 1807. Thus, Hornblower will be a powerful influence on the amazing steam developments from about 1787 to 1816. My problem is I've synthesized a lot of this in my own head to the point that I have to be careful posting Original Research in the main article, but I think much of this is already in Wikipedia articles on these other individuals. Tomligon (talk) 02:09, 12 September 2012 (UTC)Reply