Drawing of the 1893 Kitchen Sink Engine, "Ignition System of First Ford Engine"

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

Technical drawing

Date Made

24 December 1934

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

64.167.181.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Drawing (Image-making)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 11.75 in

Width: 17.75 in

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More