JF Ptak Science Books   Quick Post

Sure, I’m poking a little fun here at this propulsion system, but the “legs” do remind me of a flamingo’s. The article, “Improved Method of Propelling Canal Boats” (appearing in Scientific American for December 9, 1876) details their function, and I must say, the thinking and engineering were of high quality in spite of the overall efficacy of the plan.  The inventor, Louis F.A. Legogue, developed the engine and an articulated series of push bars that were connected to a steam-powered crank and wheel which in its complete revolution pushes the bar obliquely down (resulting in it pushing the boat forward) and on the return revolution the bar is pulled up again ready to by pushed down. And so the canal boat would makes its way in the water. That would have taken this job away from humans, whose job it was to do pretty much the same thing, only without steam. (They also remind me of one of those cartoons in Punch magazine in the 1870’s of long-legged gentlemen pushing their way into a headwind without mussing one moustache hair.)