Steam Engine Made From Glass Working steam engine made entirely from glass. The intricate model, which runs like a full sized engine, was completed by John T. Backman, famous glass blower of Venice, Calif. after two years of work. Modeled after the walking beam engine familiar in ferry boats and side-wheel river streamers, its pistons, bearings, cylinders and rods are entirely of glass, and fed with steam from a small boiler it generates a surprising amount of power. The glass engine has 1700 parts, made of 15 different colors of glass. John T. Backman, its builder has been blowing glass as a combined hobby and business for 45 years. He is pictured above with his steam engine.

International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) · [ca. December 1932]

[Information from item housing] Glass...Misc.