http://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A176605
In the comments Racecar80 realized the mistake I made in my haste to post a lot last night, this is a hand pumper, the bars above the machine fold down and were pushed by hand, and this type of machine was in use in communities that couldn't afford the upgrade to a steam pump
This is not a steam pumper, it's a hand pumper. Those long bars across the side fold down and a crew of firemen on both sides rocked the bars which pushed Pistons which pumped the water. this predates steam pumper and we're still in use because many smaller communities could not afford a steam pumper.
ReplyDeletegreat catch! Thanks!
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