Steam shovel
Excavadora de vapor
- Date
- 1835-1839 · confidence high
- Place
- Canton, Massachusetts, United States
- Credited to
- William Otis
- People
- 👤 William Otis1813–1839
- Field
- Tools
What it is
A rail-mounted steam-powered mechanical shovel capable of moving 300 m³ of earth a day. It mechanised earthmoving for railways, canals and open-cast mines.
1839 patent; William Otis was a cousin of Elisha Otis, of lift fame.
What it led to
- Accelerated railway construction in the United States
- The Panama Canal (1904-1914) and open-cast mines
- Less labour needed from navvies and labourers
Built on
- High-pressure steam engine1801-1802
- Steam crane
Made possible
- Tracked excavator
- Dragline excavator
- Heavy public-works machinery