Engineering Reminiscences Contributed to Power and American Machinist (Classic Reprint)

From law to locomotive genius: a firsthand tale of invention, risk, and the making of the high-speed engine.

This memoir traces the early life of Charles T. Porter, his turn from practicing law to mastering machinery, and the turning points that shaped his engineering career. It captures how curiosity, hands-on tinkering, and bold ideas collided with the realities of 19th-century industry, from England’s workshops to American mills. The book blends personal anecdotes with technical insight, offering a window into the people, projects, and plans behind the era’s rapid progress in engines and manufacturing.

• See how Porter’s ideas about friction, efficiency, and engine design emerged from trial, error, and reflection.
• Learn about key engines and collaborations, including the influence of Whitworth, Allen, and others on high-speed power.
• Follow the rise and fall of businesses, the push for better tools, and the shift from local shops to larger manufacturing ventures.
• Discover practical perspectives on planning shops, capital, location, and the long arc of engineering enterprise.