Frederick E. Sickels (1819–1895) is best known for U.S. Patent No. 2631, issued in 1842 for an improved cutoff valve for steam engines. Sickels's method of lifting, tripping, closing, and damping his drop-cutoff valve was a breakthrough in steam engine design, since it admitted no more steam than was necessary to the piston chamber and took full advantage of its expansive force. The Sickels valve greatly improved the efficiency of steam engines, which powered steamships and all kinds of industrial machinery throughout the 19th century. This video is featured in the "Men of Progress" section of the American Enterprise exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. (The video does not include an audio track). Teachers, parents, educators! Check out our resources to use these videos in the classroom here: https://historyexplorer.si.edu/resource/men-progress-video-series Section link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise-exhibition/videos/men-progress Exhibition link: americanhistory.si.edu/american-enterprise
