Transcriber’s Notes Texts between _underscores_ represents texts printed in italics. Small capitals have been transcribed as ALL CAPITALS. Please see the end of this text for more Transcriber’s Notes. [Illustration: _Faithfully yours_ _Charles T. Porter_] Engineering Reminiscences CONTRIBUTED TO “Power” and “American Machinist” BY CHARLES T. PORTER HONORARY MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS _Author of “A Treatise on the Richards Steam-engine Indicator and the Development and Application of Force in the Steam-engine,” 1874; “Mechanics and Faith,” 1885_ REVISED AND ENLARGED _FIRST EDITION_ FIRST THOUSAND NEW YORK JOHN WILEY & SONS LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LIMITED 1908 Copyright 1908 BY CHARLES T. PORTER THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER AND MOTHER [Illustration: MY FATHER] [Illustration: MY MOTHER] PREFACE A word of explanation seems due to both the reader and myself. The idea of writing these reminiscences did not originate with me. I was invited to write them by Mr. F. R. Low, the editor of _Power_. This invitation I declined, saying that I felt averse to writing a story in which I must be the central figure. Mr. Low replied that I should regard it as a duty I owed to the profession. Engineers demanded to know the origin and early development of the high speed system of steam engineering. I was the only person who could meet this demand; no one else possessed the necessary information. I felt obliged to yield to this view, and can only ask the reader to imagine that I am writing about somebody else. C. T. P. MONTCLAIR, N. J., December, 1907. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE Birth, Parentage and Education. Experience in the Practice of Law. Introduction to Centrifugal Force. Invention and Operation of a Stone-dressing Machine 1 CHAPTER II The Evolution and Manufacture of the Central Counterpoise Governor. Introduction of Mr. Richards 17 CHAPTER III Invention and Application of my Marine Governor 34 CHAPTER IV Engineering Conditions in 1860. I meet Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen’s Inventions. Analysis of the Allen Link 42 CHAPTER V Invention of the Richards Indicator. My Purchase of the Patent. Plan my London Exhibition. Engine Design. Ship Engine Bed to London, and sail myself 58 CHAPTER VI Arrival in London. Conditions I found there. Preparations and Start 65 CHAPTER VII My London Exhibit, its Success, but what was the matter? Remarkable Sale of the Engine 71 CHAPTER VIII