Le fardier de Cugnot: Replica of the first automobile | Hacker News Reader

Le fardier de Cugnot: Replica of the first automobile

lefardierdecugnot.fr

105 pointsloulouxiv18 comments

The original is in the "Musée des arts et métiers" Museum in Paris. I highly recommend to visit the museum if you ever are in Paris. It's filled with all kind of original scientific and engineering devices. Lavoisier device that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Jaquard's weaving loom using punching cards. Clément Ader's late 19th century attempt at creating a plane. Blaise Pascal's Mechanical calculator. Prototype metre bar. Old supercomputers...

They also have Foucoult's pendulum (the original, as well a working replica in action). It's a really unique feeling to observe the earth rotating beneath you.

I loved this museum when I visited. I learned about here on Hacker News, so I hope others will take note of this museum. It was remarkable how beautifully designed the objects were. Scientific instruments, architectural models, prototypes and machinery. All beautifully made with a focus on aesthetics as well as functionality.

I can't read about the Musée des arts et métiers without thinking in Umberto Eco's book (Foucault's Pendulum)

If you pass in Milan you should not miss the "museo nazionale della scienza e tecnologia leonardo da vinci"[0], filled with labs, expositions ... and a real submarine (the S506 Enrico Toti)

[0] https://www.museoscienza.org/

Here a video of it in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQfm6qYADw4

I hope they snuck in a modern pressure relief valve in there somewhere... If not - I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the thing while the fires lit!

I am pretty sure the entire boiler is made of steel, with modern standards, nobody would dare to make a boiler out of cast iron anymore.

The demonstration payload is the best part.

"Popular legend says it belched and snorted through the streets, frightening the good citizens of Paris, before it overturned and knocked down a wall, whereupon it was confiscated and its inventor thrown into prison"

https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2118816/1771-cugnot-fardier-v...

"Popular legend", but interesting if true.

After seeing the video above of the machine in action, I totally believe the legend, that makes as much smoke as a train.

Based on the sound, I think that's mostly steam. Some smoke, of course.

During the first test, the brakes didn't work and it knocked down a brick wall. It was in Paris close suburbs, not in Paris intra-muros. I am not aware that he was thrown in jail for that, it seems unlikely.

That was 1770's in power transmission. Here's 1770's in information transmission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8lB3y5euk

I don't know why, but as a native French speaker 'le fardier de Cugnot' sounds dirty...

I think we’re hardwired to look for contrepèteries when we hear the syllable ‘cu’.

less old but probably as fun to watch ride, Jay Leno steamers:

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=jay+leno+steam+car&iax=vide...

Honestly, I'd love to own and drive one... something about how steam power rises softly and the effect of emitting water vapor.

I love to watch recordings of big engines starting. I am so glad there are organizations and individuals preserving these artifacts and keeping them running. My favorite examples below: steam locomotive [1], and stationary pump engine [2].

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx9Q8PphAVo&t=1s

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhlJp1VZMB8

I hope that boiler has a relief valve, as a concession to modern safety requirements!

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