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Like the Wright brothers, who followed, John Stringfellow and his associate William Henson are an important link to early aeronautical researchers. At an exposition in 1868 in London's Crystal Palace, where it powered a triplane model along a cable, the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain awarded a prize of £100 to Stringfellow’s engine as the lightest in proportion to its power, producing 0.75 kW (one horsepower) for the weight of 5.9 kg (13 pounds).

In 1889, Smithsonian Secretary Samuel P. Langley purchased the engine, along with a "car" designed to carry an engine and a pair of propellers, for £25. Langley held on to the engine briefly, sending it to L.D. Copeland of Smithville, N.J., for experimental work. Upon return of the engine to Langley, he turned it over to the museum section of the Smithsonian for public display, also in 1889.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 1868 Country of Origin United Kingdom Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer John Stringfellow
 Physical Description Metal casing that surrounds the boiler of the engine. Metal, black. Has two pieces, the main body which surrounds the boiler and the cover on the top. Type: Reciprocating, steam, single cylinder, alcohol fuel Power rating: 0.813 kW (1.1 hp) at 445 N (100 lb) boiler pressure, 300 rpm Displacement: 0.15 L (9.42 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 5.1 cm (2 in.) x 7.6 cm (3 in.) Weight: 5.9 kg (13 lb) Materials Metal
Copper alloy
Steel
Paint
Clear coating
 Inventory Number A18890001001 Credit Line Purchased from Frederick J. Stringfellow Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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