The New Edition of the Work on the Steam Engine and on Steam Navigation. Appendix A-F. [Only the Appendixes].

"TREADGOLD, THOMAS.

About this Item

London, John Weale, 1840-1842. 4to. Uniformly bound in four contemporary half calf bindings with red leather title-label with gilt lettering to top of front board. Gilt stamp to front board, two stamps to verso of front board and one small stamp to title-pages. A fine set. [Appendix A & B:] IV, 32 pp. [Appendix C:] 24 pp. [Appendix D:] IV, 67 pp. + 1 folded plate. [Appendix E & F:] 23, (1) pp. The rare appendixes, separately published, to the important "Treadgold on the Steam Engine and on Steam Navigation". Tredgold's work on the steam engine was long considered the best and most complete work of its kind. "Few details of engine design escaped Tredgold's attention . . . his book is a curious combination of fact, theory, and speculation, and its author uses every opportunity to display his mathematical knowledge. Yet it undoubtedly was a notable contribution to steam engine design and theory in its day" (Finch Engineering Classics pp 104-110). "Thomas Tredgold (1788-1829) was a self-taught engineer. He trained as an apprentice cabinetmaker in Durham and then in Scotland before moving to London to work at his uncle's firm of architects. There he began an intense programme of self-improvement, reading books on engineering, chemistry, mineralogy, geology and mathematics. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tredgold died relatively young from exhaustion.Tredgold's last major work was on The steam engine, published in 1827. In his preface, he apologises that his book appears to be rather large for its subject matter but explains that 'though confined to a single source of power, that power is gigantic ?':" (Devon & Exeter Institution).

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The New Edition of the Work on the Steam Engine and on Steam Navigation. Appendix A-F. [Only the Appendixes].
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • Technology