This is a mechanical steam engine speed regulator. As steam passes through the engine, the top spins, when centrifugal force spins the heavy metal balls far enough out, steam is released from the system, lowering the pressure, and regulating the speed of the engine. By adjusting how far out the balls spin before steam is released you can change the engine speed. The term, "balls out" came from this mechanism, and has nothing to do with masculine anatomy.
I took this photo in the summer of 1976 at Greenfield Village, a part of the Henry Ford Museum complex in Dearborn Michigan. Shortly after I took this, the docents turned on the steam, let the balls fly and demonstrated how this worked.
I developed the film, and made the print. There is a reflection on this image, there is glass in the frame. It has been in the frame since 1977, I am not going to take it out at this age. This was the first piece I showed in a public show, at the Titusville Art League show in the spring of 1977, earning an honorable mention. It will be going into a show with a theme of New Works and First Works, in late March.
You took a picture of two hanging balls? I'm shocked.
ReplyDeleteBig balls at that.
DeleteI thought you were giving a masterful order.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice photo. I love visiting a steam museum with working stationary engines.
Industrial museums that actually work, are great fun to explore.
DeleteI wonder if this is what my father meant when he said “He’s got a pair of brass balls!" And there you are in 1976 looking exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteI mean 1977.
DeleteHmm, search that one, it may be different.
DeleteYou were ostensibly straight in 1976, weren't you? Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI was so far in the closet I was in a different postal code, I knew and I was terrified.
DeleteThe balls are flying...this is the 2nd balls post I've read this week! JayCee at Nobody's Diary had a post titled Fat Balls - suet balls to feed her birds.
ReplyDeleteAnd here we are on a big ball of rock, hurtling through space.
DeleteI knew Maddie would go there .... before I went there!
ReplyDeleteFirst come, first served.
DeleteYou sure know a lot about a lot of stuff, David!
ReplyDeleteA lifetime of curiosity
DeleteA photo I particularly treasure as well. ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteOh you say the sweetest things.
DeleteWhat a great photo and perfect for the show's theme. My parents used to talk about Greenfield Village. I was there but too little to remember it.
ReplyDeleteIf you are ever in the Detroit area, it is worth the afternoon wander.
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