National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Search this
Extent:
93.6 Cubic feet (174 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Notebooks
Manuals
Blueprints
Drawings
Place:
Auburn (N.Y.)
Date:
circa 1886-1939
Summary:
The records document the design, manufacture, and operation of steam and diesel engines by McIntosh, Seymour and Company of Auburn, New York.
Scope and Contents:
These records relate to the design, manufacture, and operation of diesel engines by McIntosh, Seymour and Company of Auburn, New York. Included are letter books, instruction manuals; price and data sheets; notebooks; design notes, blueprints and drawings; calculations and specifications, sketches; and photographs.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into ten series.
Series 1: Background Materials, 1889-1980
Series 2: Letter Books, 1895-1901
Series 3: Sketches, 1900-1941
Series 4: Shop Books, 1897-1924
Series 5: Calculation Books and Sheets, 1903-1915
Series 6: Drawings, 1899-1922
Series 7: Instructions, 1899-1941
Series 8: Technical Data, 1901-1923
Series 9: Photographs, 1915
Biographical / Historical:
John E. McIntosh (1858-1916) and James A. Seymour invented the centrifugal governor (US 346,302) in 1886 made possible the beginning of McIntosh and Seymour Company which was founded in 1886 in Auburn, New York. The centrifugal governor is a specific type that controls the speed of an engine, regulating the amount of fuel and maintaining a constant speed. The company manufactured and sold large steam engines for stationary generators and marine use. By 1910, the company introduced diesel engines for railroads.
Provenance:
Originally collected for the division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (now the Division of Work and Industry). Exact date and source of acquisition unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
