Skip to main content

1975

Saugus Ironworks
Society: ASMEMain Category: MechanicalSub Category: Minerals Extraction & RefiningEra: 1600sDateCreated: 1647 Ironworks National Historic SiteSaugusState: MAZip: 01906Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-m-z/minerals-extraction-and-refining/-7-saugus-ironworks-%281647%29, https://www.asme.org/getmedia/f0a3f427-43a2-4371-aa52-73a1b579d9e0/7-Saugus-Ironworks.aspxCreator: Winthrop the Younger, John

The Saugus Ironworks, the first commercial ironworks in North America, was an impressive technological achievement for an early colony. The same basic processes are used today: reducing iron oxide with carbon to produce metallic iron that can be cast in a mold, producing wrought iron by puddling cast iron, and fabricating wrought iron with power hammer and rolls.

YearAdded:
1975
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Kristin Shoemaker (CC BY-ND 2.0)Image Caption: One of the Saugus Ironworks' water wheels in motionEra_date_from: 1647
Marlette Lake Water System
Society: ASCEMain Category: CivilSub Category: Water Supply & ControlEra: 1870-1879DateCreated: 1873-1887Lake Tahoe–Nevada State ParkCarson CityState: NVZip: 89703Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Marlette-Lake-Water-System/Creator: Schussler, Hermann

In the mid-1800s Virginia City was America's greatest producer of high-grade silver and gold ore. When mining activities began, natural springs provided water to the camps. As the population grew, the Virginia and Gold Hill Water Company was formed to address the need for more water. The company first drew water from tunnels that had been driven into the mountains by prospectors. Water was stored in wooden tanks and sent through pipes into the town. 

YearAdded:
1975
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Jeff Moser (CC BY-ND 2.0)Image Caption: Marlette Lake Water SystemEra_date_from: 1873
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Society: ASMEMain Category: MechanicalSub Category: Rail TransportationEra: 1860-1869DateCreated: 1869Mt. WashingtonCoos CountyState: NHZip: 03589Country: USAWebsite: http://www.asce.org/Project/Mount-Washington-Cog-Railway/Creator: Aiken, Walter, Marsh, Sylvester

People thought inventor Walter Aiken was crazy when he proposed a railway to the top of Mt. Washington.  Aiken built a model of the roadbed and track with a cog rail system, but entrepreneur Sylvester Marsh is credited for launching the Cog Railway and bringing Aiken's ideas to fruition.

In 1858 Marsh applied to the New Hampshire Legislature for a charter to build and operate the steam railway and was granted permission in 1859.  Legend has it that an amendment was added offering permission to extend the railway to the moon.

YearAdded:
1975
Image Credit: Courtesy Flickr/Dennis Jarvis (CC BY-SA 2.0)Image Caption: Mount Washington Cog RailwayEra_date_from: 1869
Subscribe to 1975

Innovations

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support America's only magazine of the history of engineering and innovation, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to Invention & Technology.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.