Henry Ford's "Kitchen Sink" Engine, 1893

Summary

Henry Ford built his first experimental engine using scrap metal for parts. He tested it on the kitchen sink after supper on December 24, 1893. For ignition he ran a wire from the ceiling's light bulb. His wife Clara hand-fed gasoline to the intake valve while Henry spun the flywheel. The engine roared into action, shaking the sink.

Henry Ford built his first experimental engine using scrap metal for parts. He tested it on the kitchen sink after supper on December 24, 1893. For ignition he ran a wire from the ceiling's light bulb. His wife Clara hand-fed gasoline to the intake valve while Henry spun the flywheel. The engine roared into action, shaking the sink.

Artifact

Gas engine

Date Made

1893

Driving America
 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America

Object ID

00.2.127

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry and Clara Ford.

Material

Metal
Wood (Plant material)

Technique

Handmade

Dimensions

Height: 13 in  (Diameter of flywheel - this represents overall height, but flywheel extends 3" below the artifact support board.)

Width: 35 in  (This is overall length, with Flywheel attached. Without flywheel attached length of artifact support board is 32" (CMD))

Length: 15.25 in  (this is the dimension with flywheel attached)