Jensen Steam Engines

Tom Jensen Sr (1901–1992) was born and educated in Denmark and was interested in steam engines from an early age.

While waiting for a "proper" job to come along, he made a few samples of steam engines, hoping to sell them in a local department store.

The factory temporarily closed at the start of World War II but soon reopened to make equipment for the army.

Jensen Steam Engines is still a small family-owned business making steam engines using the same traditional technology as used by Tom Sr.[1] Of historical significance: The world's first nuclear power generated electricity was produced in September 1948 with the X-10 Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where among other firsts, this first ever electricity generated by nuclear power occurred utilizing a Jensen #50 steam engine and generator.

That shelf with the engine is now part of a kiosk display in the visitor area in front of the loading face of the X-10 Graphite Reactor.