Models
Model |
Horsepower |
Years |
# Produced |
|---|
Antique Engine Database
De La Vergne Machine Company
John C. De La Vergne organized the company bearing his name about 1876. At this time he was associated with Burr brewing Company of New York. Along with W.H. Burr of this firm, he invented a refrigerating machine for breweries — a businesss which soon became a full time operation. An 1883 lawsuit between the partners ended in De La Vergne’s favor. While De La Vergne was becoming an important figure in the refrigeration business, Herbert Akroyd Stuart was at work in England developing a self-ignition engine. His patents of 1886, 1888, and 1890 clearly establish Akroyd Stuart as a major figure in the development of self-ignition engines.
history
The Hornsby-Akroyd engines antedate the Diesel designs, but Stuart reveived little recognition for his achievements. Workable engines were built by Stuart during 1890, with R. Hornsby & Sons of Grantham beginning production in 1891. Regarding development of the engine Engineering (London) notes in the April 16, 1937, issue that “Akroyd Stuart himself took no futher part after June 1891, neither did he enter the Hornsby Western Australia and died there in 1927 at age 63. At his request, all papers regarding the engines were destroyed after his death.
links
Content contributed by:
