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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Cornish beam engine
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The largest and simplest form of steam engine, developed in the 18C for pumping water out of mines in Cornwall. A great metal beam, pivoted at the centre, lies horizontally across the top of the engine, attached at one end to the steam cylinder and at the other to the pumping cylinder; it links the actions of the two as it tilts up and down. The largest beam engine still in operation (a diameter of 229cm/90in in the steam cylinder) can be seen at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, where it was installed in 1846 to circulate water through the pipes of west London.
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