It’s easy to get frustrated with the pace of innovation – especially these days, when we’re told electric cars are the future, even though the technology behind them is evolving to meet its full potential. But it’s important to remember that today’s internal-combustion engines are the result of the same process that led to false starts and engineering dead ends long ago.
One of those dead ends was hidden for 70 years, and it’s interesting. It is a 25-horsepower single-cylinder “hit-and-miss” engine manufactured by International Harvester in 1915. According to a video recently posted on YouTube channel ancient tractor lifeThis is one of the three ideas that still exist today. This engine ran inside a planing mill for 70 years before being sold at auction in the 1990s, and remains in remarkably original condition.
The name “hit-and-miss” comes from the way these engines only get ignition (“hit”) when running at a certain speed, otherwise they cycle without ignition (“miss”). Speed is determined by the opening and closing of the exhaust valve, which, like more conventional engine designs, is connected to a rocker arm. A governor keeps the exhaust valves open to maintain speed. The intake valve is operated entirely by the suction of the combustion chamber, so it will not open if the exhaust valve is open. Like most early internal-combustion engines, it is not the last word in efficiency. This engine produces 25 hp from 1,100 cubic inches—about 18 liters—of displacement.
According to the video, International Harvester manufactured hit-and-miss engines in Milwaukee from 1904 to 1917. The company started with gasoline-fueled 6-, 8- and 15-hp models. Other variants were added later, with a 25-hp version entering production in 1910. In 1913, International began manufacturing kerosene-fueled versions as gas prices were rising due to demands from rapidly increasing car production. Horse-portable and wagon-portable versions were introduced for agricultural work, and stationary versions were also available to provide power in the days before electric mains. Although it spent most of its working life stationary, this engine was originally built on a wheeled chassis.
Hidden in a planing mill for 70 years – one of only 3 International Harvester engines left
Primitive hit-and-miss engines worked quite well compared to the more labor-intensive steam engines and muscle power, but by the 1930s they were largely obsolete. In fact, this engine was sent to the scrap yard before it could find a long-term home. It was given a second life in 1935 after a fire caused by the steam engine at the Pennsylvania mill that originally powered the operation. The ongoing Great Depression made affordability a priority, and the rebadged engine was available cheaply. It proved to be a good investment.
The engine continued to power the mill until it was sold at auction in 1997. It required some mechanical work to get it running again, but its coating of oil and sawdust from its long working life kept it well preserved for the admiration of engineering enthusiasts.
