
The Evolution of Hydraulic Power
The first known use of hydraulic power was as early as the 18th century, when William George Armstrong created a rotary engine. Armstrong also discovered the “Armstrong effect” – a charge in high-pressure steam that escapes from a boiler. He later created a hydraulic crane with a reciprocating ram by adapting an existing crane to utilise water as a source of power. The new hydraulic accumulator he created would accomplish several goals. Image credit Once a simple way to move a statue, hydraulic systems became…