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Compressed air has long been used to power a wide range of tools and in this short article, we take a look at the history timeline of how this form of energy was used in industry. Indeed, the Industrial Revolution saw the emergence of compressed air, along with steam that powered the early versions of heavy machinery.
Air bellows
We can trace bellows back to the 12th century when blacksmiths required higher temperatures to forget tools and weapons. Bellows were the predecessor to compressed air pumps and they were developed over the years, bringing higher temperatures for blacksmiths.
17th century air compressor
In 1650, Otto Von Guericke invented the first air compressor, which created a partial vacuum and he used this to experiment with compression and combustion. The compound air compressor was patented in 1829, which involves forcing compressed air into cylinders, which, in 1871, were cooled with high pressure water jets. Fast forward to today and air tanks are widely used across many industries; top US suppliers of the best air compressors and parts keep many industries going.
Pneumatic tubes
This was an ingenious way to send paper tickets and documents from office to office in the same building; in 1940, the first pneumatic tube in the US was patented and that saw a surge in popularity; the system comprised of a small vehicle on a rail inside the tube. Then department stores used pneumatic tubes to send cash to and from the building, when change was required, the shop assistance would put the large bill in the tube and seconds later, the correct change would arrive.
Pneumatic drill and hammer
In the late 19th century, engineers designed power tools such as a pneumatic hammer and drill, which made short work of drilling into rock and metal. This was the start of the Industrial Revolution in both the US and Europe and compressed air was steadily developed, with steam-driven compressors and pressure cylinders to store the compressed air.
Pneumatics continued to develop and in the 1960s, digital emerged, which was a game-changer for the sector and despite other tech evolving, there is still a place for air compression in the 21st century.
