About the Author: Phil Legg
View the author’s work . . .
Newcomen Newsletter – Edition 5
An artistic insight into steelmaking technology and working conditions 100 years ago, the ship that carried the fatal cargo of ammonium nitrate to Beirut, and the twists and turns of civil nuclear power generation in Britain + news of the latest Journal, on-line lectures, more websites and a book recommendation.
Newcomen Helps Save Sydney Industrial Museum
The Society has campaigned for the retention of The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia, one of the world’s leading science and technology museums. Engines on display include an early house-built Bolton & Watt rotative beam engine and a Maudslay beam engine.
Newcomen Researchers Refute Claim That Stephenson Built Hetton Locomotive
Dr Michael Bailey and Peter Davidson conducted a forensic analysis of the steam locomotive Lyons, claimed to have been designed by George Stephenson and to pre-date Locomotion I (1825) and Rocket (1829).
Newcomen Newsletter – Edition 4
Bob Gwynne discusses the impact of lockdown on conservation groups - A back-street invention of a respirator for polio (with echoes of the Covid crisis) at Willcocks Engineering - Watt’s Kettle by Frances Green + Newcomen News, web-links, more reading & a free ride on Melbourne's cable trams.
Beautiful Engineering Technique
We explore fifty years of history of the Clevedon firm of Willcocks featuring pink elephants, flying saucers and all. This versatile firm pioneered polishing machines for microscopes, a portable respirator for polio victims and turned its hand to a range of difficult projects no one else would undertake.
The Aunt with the Kettle
The tale of a youthful James Watt. As a teenager he often stayed with the Muirheads and through them, ‘met with good society’!
Lockdown and Industrial Heritage
Bob Gwynne explains the many links between 'The Danny' and the Llangollen Railway – two heritage projects threatened by lockdown.
Newcomen Newsletter – Edition 3
Now in its third incarnation, the Society's Newsletter includes features on Autogyros, the Cheshire Saltscape, the closing of Fiddler's Ferry power station plus more web-links, books etc.
Kenneth Yeomans Award (Updated)
The Society has recently granted the Award to two recipients: The Museum of Carpet (Kidderminster) and Sheffield's Kelham Island Museum. The funding has also been increased - propositions are welcome.
Newcomen Newsletter – Edition 2
A 2nd Newsletter from the Society that includes 80 Years of Cavity Magnetron from WW2 Radar to Microwave Ovens, the story of Carpet Looms in Kidderminster, Mr Tetin's beloved canaries & more web-links, books etc.