Mike Roberts
@magnunnr.bsky.social
History, technology, queer. Following covid & climate. Writing about small steam engines, energy, expertise. Frequent typos, ill-advised late-night posts may appear. (Ill-advised Star Trek references may appear at any time)
Not every portable engine was destined for greatness...... from George Page, Machinst, Inventor & Manufacturer's 1850 Catalogue. 🗃️
November 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Not every portable engine was destined for greatness...... from George Page, Machinst, Inventor & Manufacturer's 1850 Catalogue. 🗃️
Ok. What did Brown & Patterson do to piss off the Engineers? The Farmer's Advocate Oct 1881.
October 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Ok. What did Brown & Patterson do to piss off the Engineers? The Farmer's Advocate Oct 1881.
I have quesitons:
(The Canadian Spectator Sept 14 1878)
(The Canadian Spectator Sept 14 1878)
September 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I have quesitons:
(The Canadian Spectator Sept 14 1878)
(The Canadian Spectator Sept 14 1878)
Right to repair, since 1892 (Canada Farmer's Sun, 1892-09-27)
August 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Right to repair, since 1892 (Canada Farmer's Sun, 1892-09-27)
You know how, when you are trying to finish things, you are supposed to *stop* opening cans of worms. I have failed at this today: (via etymologyonline)
May 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
You know how, when you are trying to finish things, you are supposed to *stop* opening cans of worms. I have failed at this today: (via etymologyonline)
In case you needed an origin story for corn syrup: 🗃️ #agriculture #sugar
January 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In case you needed an origin story for corn syrup: 🗃️ #agriculture #sugar
Sandford Fleming wants us to put this back up @ the House of Commons, jus' sayin' 🗃️ #CanHist #MarineSteam #steam #parliament
January 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Sandford Fleming wants us to put this back up @ the House of Commons, jus' sayin' 🗃️ #CanHist #MarineSteam #steam #parliament
This wasn't what I was LOOKING for, but here is the opening of a lecture calling for good ventilation in schools, even in winter, even if you need to use mechanical fans -- in 1854. #cleanAir
December 30, 2024 at 8:58 PM
This wasn't what I was LOOKING for, but here is the opening of a lecture calling for good ventilation in schools, even in winter, even if you need to use mechanical fans -- in 1854. #cleanAir
A report on a steam fire engine from The Canadian journal in 1854, with lots of detail on firing! 🗃️
December 30, 2024 at 4:55 PM
A report on a steam fire engine from The Canadian journal in 1854, with lots of detail on firing! 🗃️
An Ontario Weaving Factory in 1869 (because we all need some steam powered computers in our lives...) #Computer #PunchCards #Technology #Steam #ontario 🗃️
November 17, 2024 at 4:55 PM
An Ontario Weaving Factory in 1869 (because we all need some steam powered computers in our lives...) #Computer #PunchCards #Technology #Steam #ontario 🗃️
The uneasy relationship between capitalism and farming. Farm co-operation beats capitalistism in the market -- but the co-operators rely on markets, so distinguishing is.... complicated if you define capitalism as "markets."
From The Curiosity Shop (Chicago: The Am. lumberman, 1906), p 86.
From The Curiosity Shop (Chicago: The Am. lumberman, 1906), p 86.
November 3, 2024 at 8:58 PM
The uneasy relationship between capitalism and farming. Farm co-operation beats capitalistism in the market -- but the co-operators rely on markets, so distinguishing is.... complicated if you define capitalism as "markets."
From The Curiosity Shop (Chicago: The Am. lumberman, 1906), p 86.
From The Curiosity Shop (Chicago: The Am. lumberman, 1906), p 86.
I have fallen deeply in love with the Catechisms that emerged from rural steam engineering communities. But.... SAVE THE HEDGEHOGS!!!!!!Those noses are for BOOPING, Not for COUNTING!!!!
From The Curiosity Shop; or, Questions and Answers Concerning the Lumber Business. (Chicago: Am. lumberman, 1906)
From The Curiosity Shop; or, Questions and Answers Concerning the Lumber Business. (Chicago: Am. lumberman, 1906)
November 3, 2024 at 4:55 PM
I have fallen deeply in love with the Catechisms that emerged from rural steam engineering communities. But.... SAVE THE HEDGEHOGS!!!!!!Those noses are for BOOPING, Not for COUNTING!!!!
From The Curiosity Shop; or, Questions and Answers Concerning the Lumber Business. (Chicago: Am. lumberman, 1906)
From The Curiosity Shop; or, Questions and Answers Concerning the Lumber Business. (Chicago: Am. lumberman, 1906)
Ok, one more: _The Comet_ built in Port Glasgow, John Wood & Sons 1812. So cute!
October 30, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Ok, one more: _The Comet_ built in Port Glasgow, John Wood & Sons 1812. So cute!
More Adorable Steam&Sail: A drawing of the "SS Savannah" from "Steam Navigation and Its Relation to the Commerce of Canada and the United States" by James Croil P53. Did Star Trek ever have a ship called Savannah? They really should :D
October 23, 2024 at 7:58 PM
More Adorable Steam&Sail: A drawing of the "SS Savannah" from "Steam Navigation and Its Relation to the Commerce of Canada and the United States" by James Croil P53. Did Star Trek ever have a ship called Savannah? They really should :D
I'm working on background, so I get to indulge my goofy joy at combined steam-and-sail: the SS Royal William, Canadian, boilers built @Montreal.... first ship to steam across the Atlantic in 1833 -- but the masts are still the dominant feature. You could mistake the smokestack for being behind her
October 22, 2024 at 12:48 PM
I'm working on background, so I get to indulge my goofy joy at combined steam-and-sail: the SS Royal William, Canadian, boilers built @Montreal.... first ship to steam across the Atlantic in 1833 -- but the masts are still the dominant feature. You could mistake the smokestack for being behind her
Boophis Pikei!!! BOOPHIS PIKEI! WHAT DOES *THAT* MEAN?!? novataxa.blogspot.com/2024/10/boop...
October 18, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Boophis Pikei!!! BOOPHIS PIKEI! WHAT DOES *THAT* MEAN?!? novataxa.blogspot.com/2024/10/boop...