Samuel Brown (engineer)

Brown, a cooper by training (he also patented improvements to machinery for manufacturing casks and other vessels),[1] has been described as the 'father of the gas engine'.

While living at Eagle Lodge in the Brompton area of west London, from 1825 to 1835, he developed 'the first gas engine that unquestionably did actual work and was a mechanical success'.

[8][9] In 1828 the vacuum engine propelled carriage was again exhibited, this time running along the Hammersmith Road with several gentlemen in or upon it and a speed of 7 miles per hour.

[11] On 1 February 1827 Brown demonstrated the ability of a version of his gas vacuum engine to power a river boat on the Thames (this followed an unsuccessful trial in January 1827).

The economics of the Croydon Canal engine were interesting as the gas it consumed was made by turning coal into coke.

The reports of an 1834 court case reveal that Brown and Company had been contracted to build a large gas vacuum engine to pump the fens at Soham.