Patent for a Rotary Engine in 1849.
Edinburgh: 1849. Israel Ginsman, of New York is granted an English patent for "Improvements in the construction of the rotary engine to be worked by Steam, Air, or other elastic fluid". The first attempts to produce a working and efficient rotary engine in the late 1830's produced a wave of creative activity, but no engines of enduring practicality. Even the modern Wankel engine is no longer used in automobiles. Still, by the late 1840's a number of prototypes were in operation with varying degrees of success, primarily for use in sawmills. Ginsman spent the enormous sum of L80, Scots to register his patent. Edinburgh 1849. A six page manuscript document on vellum 12 x 10", mostly in Latin. One fold, some soil from handling, as usual. Very good overall. Item #7192
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