Richmond, Indiana, c. 1852
This is one of the earliest surviving examples of a portable steam engine remaining in the nation. These portable power sources could be pulled between job sites by oxen or horses. Fueled by wood or coal, the boiler supplied steam to a double-acting piston connected to a large spoked flywheel by a crank arm. Power was transmitted from the flywheel to sawmills, grain threshers, and other machines by a flat leather drive belt.