The Greatest Steam Invention yet

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

The Baton Rouge Gazette, under the above heading, has the following: "William St. Martin, of this city, has invented an engine, which can be constructed, boiler and all, for about $50. The machine is so simple that we might with propriety say it is merely an escape-pipe, taking up no more room. The steam is admitted into the center of a drum or cylinder, in which the shaft works; from this the power is applied directly, without further friction. The other day we saw the perfected model of the engine pump- ing water about twenty fcet, and throwing it into the reservoir at the brewery. This is the apparatus wanted, for getting, in a cheap manner, one or more horse power to drive small machinery. Mr. St. Martin has made application for Letters Patent, and when he gets them, we think he has a fair prospect to realize something from the result of his genins." [The above paragraph has been " going the rounds" of the papers for some time past. The readers of the Scientific American will recognize in this "greatest steam invention yet," simply a rotary engine.Eds.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American