History of Pneumatic Tools
When you think of modern day power tools, it might be surprising to learn that their origins could date back thousands of years. The same is true of pneumatic systems. In fact, pneumatic technology is recorded as early as the first century! And, it has come a long way since.
Deriving its name from Latin (and before that, Greek), pneumatic means being filled with or operated by compressed air. Early examples of pneumatic systems are the air gun and the pneumatic drill, while more contemporary examples include dental tools, paint sprayers, jack hammers, pneumatic motors in airplanes, and air brakes on buses and trucks.
Pneumatic systems rely on compressed air to control and power motion devices. The beauty of this is that air is accessible, free, and unlimited, making it a source of power easy to come by, and easy to store. Other advantages are their speed and ability to be precise; this is why pneumatic presses, drills, and other pneumatic machines are often used in manufacturing plants.
Air & Hydraulic Equipment, Inc. designs and specializes in pneumatic applications, offers cylinder, pump, and valve services & repairs, and much more!
A Timeline of Pneumatic Tools
For a better view of pneumatics’ long-term evolution, here is a timeline of their history.
A.D. 62
Hero of Alexandria, the Greek mathematician and inventor of Alexandria, Egypt, writes five books on mechanics, including Pneumatica. Pneumatica described how he used wind to generate power that would transport objects, including the invention he is most famous for: the aeolipile (or stem-powered engine).
1580
The age of the oldest existing mechanical air gun, which most historians agree marked the beginning of the modern air gun.
1650
Prussian physicist and engineer Otto von Guericke invents a vacuum pump.
1762
John Smeaton, the world’s first professional engineer, designs a blowing device powered by water wheels.
1776
John Wilkinson creates a high-powered blasting unit, an inspiration for the modern-day machine compressor.
Early 1800s
Scottish engineer William Murdoch invents the pneumatic tube message system with the power of compressed air. American merchant John Wanamaker later installs the same system in the U.S. Post Office in 1875.
1829
The first compound air compressor, which compresses air in successive cylinders, is patented.
1867
American inventor, Alfred Beach, builds a pneumatic subway train in New York to transport civilians at speeds of “up to a mile a minute.”
1870
Compressed air technology, including pneumatic drills and wet air compressors, is used for the first time in a major construction project: to build the Fréjus Rail Tunnel, an 8-mile tunnel joining Italy and France through the European Alps.
1871
Simon Ingersoll invents the percussion drill, replacing hand drills and forever changing excavation, mining, and highway construction.
1890
Among many accomplishments, Charles King – an inventor, engineer, and automotive pioneer – first patents the pneumatic hammer in 1890 and later designs air brakes for automobiles.
20th & 21st Century
Innovations with air compressors not only pick up speed, they also change everyday life:
- Pneumatic technology builds and powers cars, trucks, buses, trains, helicopters, airplanes, submarines, tanks, skyscrapers, and stadiums.
- Pneumatic machines mix, compress, and package food products from dried fruit and canned goods to baked bread and cupcake icing.
- More pneumatic tools are invented, including air brushes, sandblasters, staplers, angle grinders, impact wrenches, and more.
- Today, pneumatics are also powering dentist office tools, jet engines, heavy equipment, and roller coasters.
View Air & Hydraulic Equipment, Inc.’s large online selection of pneumatic system products and other component sales items at aheinfo.com/shop. We also specialize in industrial automation, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and air-oil pressing applications.
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