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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 on display in Early Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Early Flight
Object Details
Date 1868 Country of Origin United Kingdom Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer John Stringfellow
 Physical Description 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) Dimensions 3-D: 60.5 × 12.8 × 60.2cm (23 13/16 × 5 1/16 × 23 11/16 in.)
 Materials Metal
Copper alloy
Steel
Cotton
Wood
Paint
Clear coating
 Inventory Number A18890001000 Credit Line Purchased from Frederick J. Stringfellow Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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