Dragon Wells Steam Works

Evapralux

Air Conditioning Systems

1922-1923

Dragon Wells Steam Works

      Created originally as a prototype to demonstrate the possible cooling effects of simple water evaporation “The Ladder” as it was called in the factory, had production issues.  After one year the idea was scrapped. 

     A few still exist today and have been used for the cooling of tea storage units.

Tea Storage Jars

      Found with the Teacup Preservation System and the PLANT-A-TION, these jars were made for long-term tea storage.

     Like the Specimen Jars, there are no records of their being manufactured by Dragon Wells Steam Works.  Many believe these jars may have been made in small numbers for F. Emeril Carter.

Specimen Jars 

     Though never officially made at the NYC factory these jars carry the Dragon Wells nameplate and details.

     The use for these cans is only speculative. F. Emerill Carter was known to explore cave systems and small Islands. He may have used these Specimen Jars to keep animals or plants safe during shipment back to his home in Arkham MA.

Production Oil Cans

1923-1944

Dragon Wells Steam Works 

     The Rise in automobile sales and the first world war gave Americans a new need for lubrication equipment. The first oil cans off the assembly line at Dragon Wells Steam Works were gravity fed systems which were reliable and simple. As lubrication became a more important part of the mechanical world the oil delivering vessels required greater precision. The gauge became the downfall of the pressurized oilers. Company after company was contracted to produce the gauge but none at the time were consistent enough for accurate oil distribution. 

Pressurized Machine Oiler and Bearing Cleaner

1939

     Prototypes were first developed for show at the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York City. The rival engineering firm L M ERICSSON & CO disputed the original patent for the device. This delayed the unveiling at the Worlds Fair. The System kept machines online and increased efficiency of the assembly lines at Dragon Wells Steam Works. Similar systems were adopted at manufacturing facilities at Ford Motor Co. and Kessler Motor Co. The longevity of the few that were made is a testament to the craftsmanship of Dragon Wells Steam Works at the end of the 1930’s.

Photos

Set Up

Those who have done shows before know how difficult setup can be. The Smithsonian show is a whole different animal. showing up on time wasn't important we waited in a line of other vehicles that were waiting for a spot on the loading dock. We were number 14. It took 2 hours to get our spot at the dock. they all seemed pretty impressed with my trailer driving skills. we borrowed a cart from one of the other artists that I helped unload. The booth was on the opposite end of the building from the loading dock so we spent a an hour and a half pushing carts full of stuff to the booth. It set up quickly we painted the repaired section of the booth and had lunch. After lunch we put the lights up and the work and everything looks great. satisfied after a 12 hour day we headed back to the hotel, after a few wrong turns we found a grocery store and got food. while trying to follow the directions and failing again a wrong turn put us right in the parking lot to our hotel. I am sleeping with my dinner on my pillow hoping some of it gets in my mouth. Brenda is already sawing zzzzs. I will upload some pictures when i can remember the card reader.

I have a New Favorite Place

After one of the most frustrating days of my life things are looking better. Brenda and I got up early and found a home depot we got some tools brenda had the depot guy cut some wood. With that and a whole bunch of screws and  nails we got the booth back together. We did very well considering 18 hours before shards of a booth lay strewn on the shoulder of 81 after jumping ship at 65mph. I suggest doing all projects in the home depot parking lot.

Craptastic!

Yes it is a word and my experience yesterday confirms it. To start, it was raining.. so we were going to need tarps for the booth while in the truck, not a big deal. I forgot the rolling cart @clayscapes so went there early. No cart, the Reeldeals people must have used it and took it with them. I would pick up another one when I went to get the tarp. Got to parents house to pick up booth. One section did not fit and i had to take the tailgate off. No biggie. Mom dug up some daffodils to put in the PLANT-A-TIONS because the grass seed i planted rotted and it smelled like vomit. Booth all tarped and ready to go.

ON THE ROAD

Not a mile down the road the tarp gets all flappy. I fixed it. Another mile - flappy again and i remember i forgot the paint. Fixed the tarp with more bungees from the trailer and headed back to my parents. Got the paint, tarp was ok. Feeling good despite leaving 4 hours after planned. Get on 81 and after reaching 65 the tarp decides to jump ship. I then removed the tarp and all things holding the tarp on. Get back on the road.  20 min later, I look in the rearview and I see one of the booth sections prepare for take off... and launch. we were on a stretch of r81 with a large field. the wind was very  strong and blew a whole 1/5 of my booth out of the truck into the air and thirty feet off the shoulder. Upon impact it exploded along with the shelves for most of the booth that were stored inside. It looked like a cardboard elephant was hit by a truck and was bleeding plywood. well after much swearing, Brenda calmed me down enough to get the booth parts back in the truck (pouring rain) and we head off looking for tiedowns. I found a NAPA and across the street some parking. While crossing from the gas station parking lot I was hit by a silver sedan. It didn't knock me down but it was pretty scary. The napa had tie downs though. YEAH!

And Wendy's burnt my chicken. we got to the hotel @11, long day and today i get to fix the booth or at least try.

One Week

My marathon is nearly over, then the race begins. My booth will be finished on tuesday and it looks fantastic if I may say so. It feels great to have a dedicated indoor booth that can make it at the fanciest shows. The work has been a struggle. Despite two months of testing clays and glazes,  firing after firing of the chosen clay and glazes, there are still surprises. Expectations and clay do not mix. The finished work is better than what I can do on a regular basis. The next year will be spent attempting to recreate the best aspects of the newest batch of Dragon Wells Steam Works pottery. 

I will be shooting a bunch of pictures this next week when the final prep of the pieces is finished. Some will be posted here, others on my Flicker or on my new website Timseeclay.com. And if I have some time I will be adding some pieces to my Etsy...  yeah with one week before the Smothsonian I should have all sorts of time.

We have a little potluck the last day of class were we talk about each others work share food and have a little fun. Last night one of our students brought in a chicken caesar salad in a Hodaka Bowl! We were all pretty excited and it wasn't a regular old bowl it was a pretty fancy one. I had to share this.