Steampunk - Plumbing - Quite a fitting display 1876 - Side by Side
by Mike Savad
Title
Steampunk - Plumbing - Quite a fitting display 1876 - Side by Side
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Colorized Photo
Description
Colorized photo from 1876
Original title: Walworth Manufacturing Co.'s exhibit
Photographer: Centennial Photographic Co.
Location: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia PA
Isn't that thing awesome! This one company figured out a way to present almost all their hardware in one large weird, eye catching sculpture, and I think it whistled. There is water on the floor and a rope moving to the top.
I wasn't sure what color the pipe should be. I really wanted a contrast of brass and copper. But as it turns out copper pipes weren't in homes till like 1930-1960. All they used then was brass, or black steel. But I'm not sure what those bottom pipes are made of. Some are bronze, some is black steel, but the lighter ones, are they brass painted white? Or is it a cheap brass with scummy white stuff on it? I have no idea.
The fittings are bronze, so I got some contrast points from that. I'm not sure if their valves had red handles, but I like red handles.
This company became famous for inventing the Stillson Wrench, the first pipe wrench. We use the same design today.
This exhibit is the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. They had all sorts of mechanical wonders, full sized locomotives, and around 14,000 other businesses showing off their wares. Each one had a unique presentation often stacking things in unusual ways. Or in this case, creating this wonder. I do wonder where this thing is today, how long did it stick around? How heavy was it? And how long did it take to make? Was it screwed together or did they solder it?
Uploaded
June 16th, 2022
Statistics
Viewed 2,358 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/19/2024 at 11:21 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet