James Nasmyth, Steam Hammer
James Hall Nasmyth (August 19, 1808 - May 7, 1890) was a Scottish engineer. In 1836, he and his business partner Holbrook Gaskell opened the Bridgewater Foundry, where they concentrated on producing a wide range of machine tools in large numbers. In 1842 Nasmyth patented this steam hammer. A key feature of his machine was that the operator controlled the force of each blow. He enjoyed demonstrating how it could first break an egg placed in a wine glass, without breaking the glass, which was followed by a full-force blow which shook the building. He applied the principle of his steam hammer to a pile-driving machine which he invented in 1843. He also created several other important machine tools, including the shaper, an adaptation of the planer which is still used in tool and die making. Another innovation was a hydraulic press which used water pressure to force tight-fitting machine parts together. All of these machines became popular in manufacturing, and all are still in use in modified form. He retired from business in 1856 at the age of 48. He was happily married for 50 years. They had no children. He died in 1890 at the age of 81. Engraver not credited, based on painting by James Nasmyth, undated
