Landrow Bell was an African American inventor from Washington, D.C. Landrow Bell’s patent for an “Improvement in Smokestacks for Locomotives”, No. 115,153, describes a complex device designed to solve the persistent and dangerous problem of sparks and cinders escaping from train smokestacks. Patented on May 23, 1871, the invention aimed to be more effective than the simple wire bonnets of the era, which often clogged or were too porous.
Key Features
- Supplementary Flue: The smokestack had a crescent-shaped supplementary flue (G) with pipes that led down to the locomotive’s ash-pan.
- Double Adjustable Bonnet: A wire bonnet (I) was fixed over a portion of the main chimney, but a second, movable bonnet (J) was hinged to the top of the stack. The movable bonnet could be adjusted to any position, from fully open to closed, to accommodate different conditions. This design allowed for better draft control.
- Automatic Fan-Blower: An automatic fan-blower (w) was located in a hood on the side of the stack. A funnel (L) caught air from the motion of the train and forced it against the fan, causing it to spin. This fan-induced draft helped to direct the sparks and cinders into the supplementary flue.
- Spark Recycling: The pipes from the supplementary flue directed the sparks and cinders back into the ash-pan. There, the unconsumed carbon would be drawn up through the fire and burned, adding to the furnace’s heat and improving fuel efficiency.
Societal Impact
Bell’s invention was a creative and ambitious solution to a major safety issue in the early days of railroad travel.
Enhanced Safety: Escaping sparks from locomotives were a constant danger, causing fires in fields, along the tracks, and even in buildings. The invention’s ability to capture and contain these sparks was a significant advancement in public safety.
Improved Efficiency: By returning unconsumed fuel to the firebox, the smokestack actually increased the locomotive’s fuel efficiency. This was a valuable economic benefit for railroad companies.
Beyond the Smokestack:
Landrow Bell was also a versatile inventor. He received another patent later for an improved dough kneader (U.S. Patent #133,823) on December 10, 1872, demonstrating his ability to innovate in diverse fields. His locomotive smokestack patent highlights the ongoing efforts in the 19th century to make steam locomotion safer and more efficient.
