Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

STEAM AIR COMPRESSOR

Date

1905

Materials

BRASS, IRON, STEEL

No. Pieces

2

Height

109.0

Length

85.2

Width

27.5

Description

BRASS & IRON OR STEEL COMPRESSOR WITH STEAM CHAMBER & PISTON ON END, OPPOSITE AIR RESEVOIR. 2 FLYWHEELS. STEEL STAND WITH CLAMP HOLDING COMPRESSOR TO STAND. ALUMINIUM TAG ON COMPRESSOR: "MADE BY JOHN NIVEN 1905" TAG AFFIXED RECENTLY BY DONOR. COMPRESSOR REMAINS IN WORKING ORDER. WELDED STAND PAINTED BLACK. IRON COMPRESSOR BASE PAINTED GREEN. SEE CONSERVATION REPORT.

Subjects

ENERGY PRODUCTION T&E

Historical Association

INDUSTRY

History

HANDMADE BY JOHN NIVEN IN 1905 OR EARLIER. JOHN NIVEN, A MACHINIST SET UP A MACHINIST SHOP IN LETHBRIDGE IN 1912 WITH HIS 2 BROTHERS, TOM & ALEX. NIVEN BROS. DID WORK MAINLY FOR THE COAL MINES. JOHN NIVEN LEFT THE COMPANY & WENT TO KIMBERLEY TO WORK FOR COMINCO. THE COMPANY DIVERSIFIED & WENT INTO TRUCKING. AFTER 1958 THE FIRM BECAME NIVEN TRUCK EQUIPMENT UNDER THE DONOR'S MANAGEMENT. DONOR HAS RETIRED & COMPANY CLOSED ITS DOORS (1992). NIVEN BUILT COMPRESSOR TO USE IN HIS HOBBY SHOP. COMPRESSOR HAS BEEN ON DISPLAY IN COMPANY OFFICES FOR OVER A DOZEN YEARS. NIVEN FAMILY IMMIGRATED FROM SCOTLAND TO STELLERTON, NOVA SCOTIA, THEN CAME TO LETHBRIDGE IN 1883 AS THE MINES WERE OPENING. ALL BROTHERS WERE MACHINISTS INITIALLY EMPLOYED BY AREA COAL MINES (GALT). TAG & STAND MADE ABOUT 1980 BY DONOR'S FIRM TO DISPLAY COMPRESSOR IN CO. SHOWROOM.

Catalogue Number

P19920019000

Acquisition Date

1992-05

Collection

Museum

Less detail