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Double inclined plane for moving tub boats from one level to another on a canal, 1796
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Double inclined plane for moving tub boats from one level to another on a canal, 1796
Double inclined plane for moving tub boats from one level to another on a canal, 1796. Boats were lowered on rails and counterbalanced by a tub containing water. Such a plane was constructed on Bude Canal at Hobbacott Down. Inclined planes were used as a cheaper alternative to locks, the building of which could make a canal uneconomic. From A Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation by Robert Fulton. (London, 1796)
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Media ID 14865408
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Canal Canal Boat Fulton Inclined Plane Industrial Revolution Oxford Science Archive Robert Fulton Slope Water Power Water Wheel Wheel
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This print captures a significant technological advancement of the 18th century - a double inclined plane designed for moving tub boats between different levels on a canal. Created in 1796 by Robert Fulton, this engraving showcases an ingenious solution to the challenges faced by canal transportation during the Industrial Revolution. The image depicts tub boats being lowered on rails along the slope of the inclined plane, while their weight is counterbalanced by water-filled tubs. This innovative system was implemented on Bude Canal at Hobbacott Down as a cost-effective alternative to constructing locks, which could render canals economically unviable. Fulton's treatise, "A Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation" published in London that same year, further explains his groundbreaking concept. By harnessing water power through inclined planes like this one, canal transport became more efficient and accessible. This print not only highlights Fulton's engineering prowess but also serves as a testament to human ingenuity during an era defined by rapid industrialization and technological advancements. It offers us a glimpse into the transformative impact that such innovations had on water transport and ultimately paved the way for modern-day canal systems around the world. As we admire this monochrome masterpiece from Oxford Science Archive's collection, let us appreciate how these historical breakthroughs continue to shape our present-day understanding of transportation technology.
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