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Antique Engine Database
James Cunningham
A rather unusual name on the list of stationary engine builders is that of the James Cunningham Sons & Co. of Rochester, New York. The strngeness does not arise from the company’s capabilities, but rather from the idea that a firm noted for its superb work in the field of fine carriages adn later, ultra-expensive automobiles and professional vehicles, would even bother with such things as stationary engines. Cunningham remained a major factor in the fine-car and professional 9ambulance adn hearse) vehivle field until 1936, when the depression put an end to most firms of this type.
history
The original company dates back to the early 1830s, and by the 1850s, it had a reputation as a builder of expensive but flawless carriages, including very ornate funeral vehicles. By 1907, the firm began to assemble mortorized vehicles, using both purchased components and items manufactured in its own shops. The bodies, of course, were stricutly Cunningham’s own. By 1909, the company began to manufacture its own 4-cylinder engines, adn possibly it was during their era that entry was made into the stationary engine field. Since no information can be found regarding the Cunningham stationary engines, it must be theorized that they were derivatives of the automotive engines, whihc would mean they were of water-cooled , overhead valve design. By 1916, Cunningham was also producing a large V-8, but it does not seem likely that this would have been practival for stationary use. If they above theory is correct it would seem that the cunningham engines would been used almost exlucively to power home and shop generators, and not as farm-style engines.
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