Forgotten inventions from the Industrial Revolution

**Did you know?**

During the Industrial Revolution, many fascinating inventions emerged, some of which have faded into obscurity. One such forgotten marvel is the atmospheric railway, an innovative transportation concept from the 19th century.

Developed by inventor George Medhurst and later refined by engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the atmospheric railway operated on the principle of using air pressure to propel carriages along the track.

A pipe running between the rails was partially vacuumed, with a piston connected to the train sealed inside.
When air was evacuated from the pipe, the atmospheric pressure behind the piston pushed it, and the attached train, forward.

Despite its ingenuity and successful implementation on small sections, the system faced numerous challenges.
Leather seals on the pipes were vulnerable to weather conditions, leading to frequent technical failures.

Eventually, the atmospheric railway concept was abandoned in favor of more reliable steam-powered trains, but it remains a testament to the era’s spirit of innovation and experimentation.

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