Archives Center, National Museum of American History
James Leffel and Company Records
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry
James Leffel and Company
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
NMAH.AC.0960
Archival Resource Key
20 Cubic feet
42 boxes
circa 1848-1976
Collection documents James Leffel and Company of Springfield, Ohio, manufacturer of turbines, water wheels and engines.
Some materials in German and Spanish.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collected for the National Museum of American History.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into eight series.
Series 1: Correspondence, 1974-1978
Series 2: Patent Materials, 1848-1931
Series 3: Testing Data, 1913-1966, bulk 1920s
Series 4: Catalogs, 1870-1946
Series 5: Catalog Artwork, 1919-1959
Series 6: Trade Literature, 1890s-1976
Series 7: Photographs, 1908-1929
Series 7: Writings and Journal Articles, 1881-1854
Series 8: Glass Plate Negatives, 1890s-1950s, undated
Biographical
James Leffel was born in 1806 in Botetourt County, Virginia to John and Catherine Leffel. The family moved to Ohio, settling near Springfield. where John Leffel established saw and grist mills. Leffel grew up surrounded by mills and and developed a strong interest in water wheels. Leffel trained as a millwright acquiring skills in metal work to make sickles, knives, and other small iron implements. In the late 1830s, Leffel established his first foundry and machine shop near Springfield, Ohio, quickly expanding and taking on two partners, William A. John and T.Y. Ferrell and adding mill gearing and stoves to their line of products. By 1845, Leffel ended his business relationship with John and Ferrell and formed a partnership with William Blackeney, a machinist who helped him support the foundry and its work. In 1846, Andrew Richards joined Leffel to build a cotton mill and machine shop. Leffel envisioned the utilization of water power in Springfield. Ohio, with the establishment of mills along a race--a dug channel leading from a creek or river to the mill--that would eventually bring trade. With the help of Samuel and James Barnett, gristmill operators, Leffel was able to "cut a race" and erect a Water Power and Flouring Mill. Leffel was especially interested in water wheel development and would receive patent US34,150 for a water wheel (1862) which later reissued as RE1791 and RE1792 in 1864.
Leffel also patented cooking stoves (US6775) in 1849 which became known as the "Buckeye," "Double Oven" and "Red Cook Stove" that were successful and earned him a strong reputation. In 1852, Leffel broke with Richards, and Nathaniel Cook, a machinist, joined Leffel and Blackeney. With his 1862 patent for a water wheel, Leffel focused his attention on demonstrating the water wheel and speaking about its productive uses. Numerous test runs of the water wheel convinced Leffel that he could sell the wheel to mills and factory operators. Leffel marketed the wheel as the "American Double Turbine" an efficient, cheap turbine for the mass market (Layton page 86 ). In 1863, Leffel and Blackeney formed a new firm, along with Perry Betchel and Leander Mudge to create a foundry designed solely for the production of the wheel. Leffel later joined forces with John Foos, a mill operator and James S. Goode, a lawyer, to form the James Leffel and Company. Leffel sold his water wheel to flour mills, woolen goods manufacturers, paper mills and farm equipment manufacturers. The company became one of the leading manufacturers of waterwheels and turbines and today continues to operate under the name of James Leffel and Company as part of Canyon Hydro which acquired the company in 2019.
Leffel died in 1866.
Source
Becker, Carl M. "James Leffel: Double Turbiner Water Wheel Inventor,
Ohio History, Volume 75, No. 4, Autumn 1966, pages 200-211.
Layton, Edwin. "Scientific Technology, 1845-1900: The Hydraulic Turbine and the Origins of American
Industrial Research,"
Technology and Culture, January 1979, Vol. 20, No. 1, pages 64-89.
Preferred Citation
James Leffel and Company Records, 1867-1957, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, archivist, 2022.
Photostat copies of original patents in the collection were removed.
Ownership and Custodial History
Collection transferred by the Division of Work and Industry to the Archives Center in 2007.
Related Materials
Materials at the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution Libraries, Trade Literature Collection
Pelton Water Wheel Collection, NMAH.AC.1093
Lombard Governor Company Records, NMAH.AC.1091
Niagara Falls Power Company Photographs, NMAH.AC.0949
J. & W. Jolly Company Records, NMAH.AC.1009
Uriah Boyden Papers, NMAH.AC.0982
William R. Hutton Papers, NMAH.AC.0987
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Series: Waterworks
Materials at Other Organizations
Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
James Leffel & Company Records, 1867-1971
The James Leffel and Company Records consist of ledgers, journals, order books, inventories, cash and day books, payroll files, correspondence, photographs, publications, and scrapbooks of a late 19th and early 20th century Springfield, Ohio manufacturer of turbines, water wheels and engines.
Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio
James Leffel and Company Records, 1845-1890
Records of water-wheel company of Springfield, Ohio including a letter press book, notebook of hydraulic tables, and patents for water wheels and cooking stoves.
Scope and Contents
The records contain business and legal records; correspondence; patents and patent files; specifications; charts; blueprints; mechanical drawings and original catalog art; photographs and negatives; catalogs, and clippings documenting James Leffel and Company.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Blueprints
Business records
Charts
Clippings
Correspondence
Drawings
Hydraulic turbines
Order books
Patents
Photographs -- 19th century
Specifications
Steam-boilers
Stokers, Mechanical
Steam-engines
Springfield (Ohio)
Trade catalogs
Valves
Water-wheels
Turbines
Glass plate negatives
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Correspondence
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1874-1978
Chronological
Archival Resource Key
1874; 1892 October - 1896 January
1
1
Chronological
Archival Resource Key
1919-1930
1
2
Alphabetical, Abbot-Armstrong
Archival Resource Key
1890-1892
1
3
Alphabetical, Arcadia-Ayers
Archival Resource Key
1891
1
4
Alphabetical, Dallies-Dick
Archival Resource Key
1890-1892
1
5
Alphabetical, Dickerson-Dyer
Archival Resource Key
1891
1
6
Alphabetical, Montague-Moyer
Archival Resource Key
1892-1895
2
1
Alphabetical, Mu-Myers
Archival Resource Key
1892-1894
2
2
Correspondence, general
Archival Resource Key
1941-1957
2
3
Clawson, Perry. Rotary Multiple Combustion Motor
Archival Resource Key
1925
2
4
Scope and Contents
File contains pencil sketches of a Rotary Multiple Combustion Motor by Perry Clawson, an inventor from Roswell, New Mexico.
Antique turbines
Archival Resource Key
1961-1961
2
5
Cole, M. R.
Archival Resource Key
1924
2
6
Goeriz, Oscar C.
Archival Resource Key
1923
2
7
Orders
Archival Resource Key
1944-1945
2
8
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1946-1947
2
9
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1948-1949
2
10
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1950
3
1
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1951-1953
3
2
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1955
3
3
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1956-1957
3
4
Turbine orders
Archival Resource Key
1958
3
5
Sales Engineers
Archival Resource Key
1941-1957
3
6
Scope and Contents
Includes memoranda to Leffel Water Wheel Sales Engineers from general manager, J. Robert Groff. The memoranda contain details for specific turbine units, shipping, and installation. Of note is a June 28, 1957 memoranda describing an early Leffel turbine donated to the U.S. National Museum through curator Robert P. Multhauf and correspondence with the Trappist Monastery on Lantaa Island, Hong Kong. The monks at the monastery describe installing a small Leffel horizontal Impulse turbine in 1957.
William Quimby, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1925
3
7
Zowski, S. J.
Archival Resource Key
1929
3
8
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels specifications and proposal for Arkansas Hydro Electric Development Co.
Archival Resource Key
1921
3
9
James Leffel & Co. Order Book (hyraulic turbines)
Archival Resource Key
1867-1868
3
10
Order Book
Archival Resource Key
1901-1924
3
11
Drawings Inventory
Archival Resource Key
1898-1923
4
1
Stock Jobs (names and numbers)
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
2
Newspaper Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1940-1978
4
3
Drawings and Sketches
Archival Resource Key
1919, undated
42
1A
Patent Materials
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1848-1931
Scope and Contents
This series consists of patents, both United States and other countries, and correspondence about patent infringement and patent applications. James Leffel and Company was represented by patent and corporate law firm of Toulmin and Toulmin in Dayton, Ohio.
List of patents
Archival Resource Key
1878-1928
4
4
List of patents
Archival Resource Key
1881-1928
4
5
Turbine water wheels (RE, 123-8942)
Archival Resource Key
1848-1879
4
6
Turbine water wheels (201-33, 584)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1808-1861
4
7
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheels (34,073 to 81,557)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1862-1868
5
1
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheels (81,632 to 98,330)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1868-1869
5
2
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheels (98,561 to 115,551)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1870-1871
6
1
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheels (115,578 to 146,068)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1871-1873
6
2
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheels (149,607 to 185,788)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1874-1876
7
1
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Turbine water wheel patents, (185,946 to 235,702)
Archival Resource Key
1 Volume
1877-1880
7
2
Scope and Contents
Bound volume of turbine water wheel patents.
Croft, Henry
Archival Resource Key
1895
7
3
Bookwater, Francis M.
Archival Resource Key
1891-1895, 1897, 1901
7
4
Englebright, William F.
Archival Resource Key
1888
7
5
Goldberg, David D., patent application serial no. 110,979 for valve mechanism
Archival Resource Key
1929
8
1
Goldberg, David D., patent application serial no. 287,141, improvements in valves
Archival Resource Key
1928-1929
8
2
Goldberg, David D., patent application, serial no. 748, 631, improvements in valve mechanism
Archival Resource Key
1929
8
3
Johnson, Mark W., gyration spiral turbines
Archival Resource Key
1922
8
4
Kratz, David K., water wheel assignment
Archival Resource Key
1858
8
5
Lake, William Robert, turbine wheels (England)
Archival Resource Key
1869
8
6
James Leffel and Company, Cascade Water Wheel Trademark
Archival Resource Key
1894
8
7
James Leffel and Company, Samson Water Wheel (Russia)
Archival Resource Key
1900
8
8
Chile
Archival Resource Key
1894
8
9
Moody, Lewis F.
Archival Resource Key
1919-1926
8
10
Moody, Lewis F.
Archival Resource Key
1928-1931
8
11
Moody, Lewis F. Turbine templates
Archival Resource Key
1928
8
12
Scope and Contents
Includes cardboard pattern pieces for the Moody water wheel. The pattern pieces were used to recreate a model of a water wheel invented by Lewis Moody in connection with a patent infringement case (US Patent 1,613,816) of Lewis F. Moody vs. George A. Biggs.
Sparks, Albert F.
Archival Resource Key
1893-1905
8
13
Sparks, Albert Freeman. Water Wheel (Finland)
Archival Resource Key
1901
8
14
Sparks, Albert Freeman. Water Wheel (Canada)
Archival Resource Key
1906
8
15
Trump, Fuller
Archival Resource Key
1891, 1894
8
16
Tyler, William H.
Archival Resource Key
1891-1892
9
1
Woodward, Elmer E.
Archival Resource Key
1893
9
2
Patent Gazette Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1924-1926
9
3
S. Morgan Smith Company (Victor Kaplan patents) infringement
Archival Resource Key
1928
9
4
Opinion, validity and infringement in the matter of Automatic Cone Valves for James Leffel & Co.
Archival Resource Key
1929
9
5
George A. Biggs vs. Lewis F. Moody, infringement
Archival Resource Key
1925-1929
9
6
George A. Biggs vs. Lewis F. Moody, infringement
Archival Resource Key
1929-1932
9
7
Analysis of James Leffel & Co. turbine with horizontally disposed fixed guide vanes and adjustable runner blades
Archival Resource Key
1932
9
8
Invention ideas sent to James Leffel & Company
Archival Resource Key
1925
9
9
Moody, Lewis F. validity of US Patent 1, 583, 415
Archival Resource Key
1929
9
10
Kaplan, Victor. Turbine articles
Archival Resource Key
1922
10
1
Infringement/Interference re: hydraulic turbine development
Archival Resource Key
1928-1929
10
2
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence and legal documents for a patent infringement case related to the development of hydraulic turbines by inventors Lewis F. Moody and George A. Biggs. Biggs assigned his patents to James Leffel and Company.
Moody, Lewis F. patents
Archival Resource Key
1928-1932
10
3
Infringement re: water wheels
Archival Resource Key
1891-1901
10
4
Scope and Contents
Materials relate to F.M. Bookwalter, W.W. Tyler, and A.M. Swain water wheel patents.
Adjustable Vane Electric Control
Archival Resource Key
1929
10
5
V-25 turbine application
Archival Resource Key
1928
10
6
Grease lubricated water cooled bearing
Archival Resource Key
1928
10
7
George A. Biggs and Albert Sparks patent related materials
Archival Resource Key
1924-1926
42
1
Albert Sparks water wheel patent (Mexico)
Archival Resource Key
1901
42
2
Testing Data
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
1913-1966
bulk 1920s
Berrien Springs Dam testing, Michigan
Archival Resource Key
1918
10
8
Berrien Springs Dam, Michigan, hydraulic turbine test
Archival Resource Key
1918
10
9
Central Power and Light Company, Eagle Pass Development
Archival Resource Key
1932
11
1
Central Power and Light Company, Eagle Pass Development, efficiency test by Gibson Method
Archival Resource Key
1932
11
2
William Hamilton Company, Fort Frances Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1923
11
3
Hanover Woolen Manufacturing Co.
Archival Resource Key
1921
11
4
Holyoke Water Power Company
Archival Resource Key
1910-1926
11
5
Holyoke Water Power Company, Test No. 1, base test
Archival Resource Key
1927
11
6
Holyoke Water Power Company, Test No. 2, large diameter cylinder
Archival Resource Key
1927
11
7
Holyoke Water Power Company, testing flume
Archival Resource Key
1927
11
8
Holyoke Water Power Company, 500 runner horizontal test
Archival Resource Key
1927
11
9
Holyoke Water Power Company, Spanish River Pulp: Paper Mill 500 Plant
Archival Resource Key
1926
11
10
Holyoke Water Power Company, Spanish River Pulp & Paper Mill 500 Plant
Archival Resource Key
1918-1934
11
11
Scope and Contents
Includes testing data for the American Writing Paper Company, Holyoke Gas and Electric Company, Union Electric Light and Power Company, and Sanitary District of Chicago.
Holyoke Testing Flume
Archival Resource Key
1908-1931
12
1
Holyoke Water Power Company, Leffel Type B Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1929
12
2
Holyoke Water Power Company, Leffel Type F Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1929
12
3
Holyoke Water Power Company, Leffel Type L and LL Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1931
12
4
Holyoke Water Power Company, Leffel Type S Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1929
12
5
27-S 500 Runner Vertical Test
Archival Resource Key
1927
12
6
Sketches and dimensions of Holyoke Testing Flume
Archival Resource Key
undated
12
7
Holyoke Test 30" B Runner No. 2937
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
8
Holyoke Test 30" Z Runner No. 2940
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
9
Holyoke Test 30" Z Test 2941
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
10
30" Type Z for Holyoke Gas & Electric Co. No. 2942
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
11
16-Gates and 8 Guide Vanes
Archival Resource Key
1931
12
12
Holyoke Tests 30" Type 2, No. 2922-2923
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
13
Tests for Z-H-W-D-B Runners Tests 2922-2943
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
14
Holyoke Test 30" Type H No. 2927-2928
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
15
Holyoke Test W Runner No. 2929-2931
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
16
Holyoke Test 30" Type D Test No. 2932
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
17
Holyoke Test B Runner No. 2933-2936
Archival Resource Key
1923
12
18
Holyoke Water Power Company, bottom plate test 47 1/2" R. H. Leffel sparks turbine
Archival Resource Key
1916
13
1
Holyoke Water Power Company, test data 47 1/2" sparks turbine
Archival Resource Key
1916
13
2
Holyoke Tests No. 2347-2365
Archival Resource Key
1914
13
3
University of Michigan hydraulic laboratory, water wheel
Archival Resource Key
1929
13
4
Indiana & Michigan Electric Company, Elkhart test
Archival Resource Key
1913
13
5
Leffel's Cascade Wheel at the University of Michigan (thesis by Chas. G. Simonds)
Archival Resource Key
1897
13
6
Lockwood Company, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1918-1920
13
7
Lockwood Company, Waterville, Maine
Archival Resource Key
1920-1921
13
8
Lockwood Company
Archival Resource Key
1921
13
9
Lockwood Company, water wheel test
Archival Resource Key
1921
13
10
Lockwood Company, water wheel test
Archival Resource Key
1921 September 11
13
11
Lockwood Company
Archival Resource Key
1922
13
12
Union Electric Light & Power Company, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1922
14
1
West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company, testing 45" Samson style 22
Archival Resource Key
1917
14
2
Test No. 3092
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
3
Test No. 3089
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
4
Test No. 3093
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
5
Test No. 3094
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
6
Test No. 3095
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
7
Test No. 3099
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
8
Test No. 3100
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
9
Test No. 3103
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
10
Test No. 3105
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
11
Test No. 3106
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
12
Test No. 3104
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
13
Test No. 3101
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
14
Holyoke Test No. 2943
Archival Resource Key
1923
14
15
Test No. 3165
Archival Resource Key
1931
14
16
Synopsis of 1927 Holyoke Test
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
17
Test No. 3084
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
18
Test No. 3085
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
19
Test No. 3086
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
20
Test No. 3087
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
21
Test No. 3088
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
22
Test No. 3090
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
23
Test No. 3091
Archival Resource Key
1927
14
24
High Speed Test
Archival Resource Key
1924
14
25
New Test Rig
Archival Resource Key
1923
14
26
Test No. 2398-2399
Archival Resource Key
1923
14
27
Test No. 2986
Archival Resource Key
1925
14
28
General Arrangements (Drawings)
Archival Resource Key
1914
14
29
Hoisting Irons for Timber Head Gates
Archival Resource Key
1938
14
30
High Speed Tests, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1923
14
31
Special test wheel, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1914
15
1
Sparks special test wheel (30"), blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1914
15
2
Testing data and sketches
Archival Resource Key
1929
15
3
Test turbine parts
Archival Resource Key
1924
15
4
Turbine installations in Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
1921, 1950-1951
15
5
Water wheel gates and runs
Archival Resource Key
1919 October
15
6
Woodward Governor Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
15
7
Test reports, various companies
Archival Resource Key
1918-1934
15
8
Miscellaneous test data
Archival Resource Key
undated
15
9
Turbine installation [Escanaba, Michigan], blueprints
Archival Resource Key
1924
42
3
Experiment Station, Swamp Locks [Casper, Wyoming?], efficiency graphs
Archival Resource Key
1922
42
4
Miscellaneous testing data
Archival Resource Key
1946-1966
42
5
Catalogs
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1870-1946
Leffel's American Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1868
15
10
James Leffel's Double Turbine
Archival Resource Key
1869
15
11
Leffel's American Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1870
15
12
Leffel's Improved Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1875
15
13
Leffel's Improved Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1877
16
14
James Leffel's Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1879
16
1
James Leffel's Double Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1881
16
2
James Leffel Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1883
16
3
James Leffel & Co.
Archival Resource Key
1885
16
4
James Leffel & Co.
Archival Resource Key
1888
16
5
Leffel Water Wheel & Engine Co.
Archival Resource Key
1890
16
6
James Leffel & Co. Manufactureros de Turbinas
Archival Resource Key
1891
16
7
James Leffel Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1891-1892
16
8
James Leffel Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1893
16
9
James Leffel Water Wheels, Standards, Specials and Samsons
Archival Resource Key
1894
16
10
James Leffel & Co. Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1896
16
11
James Leffel & Co. Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1897
16
12
Leffel Horizontal Steam Engines and Boilers Price list
Archival Resource Key
undated
16
13
James Leffel Water Wheels, Standards, Specials and Samsons
Archival Resource Key
1900
17
14
James Leffel & Co. Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1900
17
1
Leffel Engines and Boilers, Pamphlet H
Archival Resource Key
1900
17
2
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels, standard and special pamphlet SS'19
Archival Resource Key
undated
17
3
Leffel Engines and Boilers, Catalogue O
Archival Resource Key
1906
17
4
Leffel Hydraulic Turbines
Archival Resource Key
1946
17
5
Leffel, Samson, and Niagara Turbine Water Wheels, Pamphlet V
Archival Resource Key
1908
17
6
James Leffel & Co. Patterns for Mill Gearing
Archival Resource Key
1908
17
7
Leffel Engines and Boilers, Catalogue T
Archival Resource Key
1909
17
8
Leffel Standard and Special Turbine Water Wheels
Archival Resource Key
1911
17
9
Dodge Sales and Engineering Co.
Archival Resource Key
1915
17
10
Leffel Turbine Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1916
17
11
Hydro-Electric Power from a Hoppes Hydro-Electric Unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
17
12
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels, Bulletin 62
Archival Resource Key
1924
17
13
Leffel Engines and Boilers, Catalog 68
Archival Resource Key
1924
17
14
Leffel Engines and Boilers, Catalog 68
Leffel Water Wheels
Archival Resource Key
1929
17
15
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels, Bulletin 36
Archival Resource Key
1928
17
16
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels, Bulletin 36
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels
Archival Resource Key
1946
17
17
Leffel Improved Vertical Samson Turbines, Bulletin 38
Archival Resource Key
undated
17
18
James Leffel & Co. Samson Turbine, Pamphlet K
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
1
Leffel, Samson, and Niagara Turbine Water Wheels, Pamphlet Z
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
2
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels Standard and Special Pamphlet SS '23
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
3
Leffel Turbine Water Wheels, Bulletin 32
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
4
Leffel Turbinas Hydraulicas, Folleto K '22
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
5
James Leffel and Co. domestic price list
Archival Resource Key
1941-1946
18
6
Catalog Artwork
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
1919-1959
Scope and Contents
This series consists of air brushed black-and-white photographs, mounted on mat board with annotations about dimensions, where to add color and text and other production notes. Some of the photographs are described and numbered, noting a negative number and depict Leffel and Trump Manufacturing Company products. In some instances, the original photographer's name is noted. However, most are unidentified. James Leffel and Company contracted with outside firms and individuals such as Rockford Illustrating Company, A.W. Dubes and Company, Springfield, Ohio; Evans and Dubes, Springfield, Ohio; Kight Advertising Company, Columbus, Ohio; Bucher Engraving Company, Columbus, Ohio; Pixley-Messick Company Commercial Photographers Artists and Engravers, Springfield, Ohio; J. Manz and Company Department of Photography, Chicago, Illinois; Schultz-Gosiger Company, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Rogers and Company, Chicago.
These images were presumably used for assembling the company catalog, product literature, and other promotional materials. Air brushing allowed artists to create highly rendered images with a high level of realism. The materials are arranged alphabetically by topic.
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1919, undated
40
1
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1924, undated
40
2
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1926
40
3
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1927, undated
40
4
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1927, undated
41
2
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
undated
41
3
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
undated
41
4
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
1926, undated
42
6
Boilers
Archival Resource Key
1924-1959
21
4
Boilers
Boilers
Archival Resource Key
1924-1959
21
5
Construction
Archival Resource Key
1923-1950
21
6
Dams and Wells
Archival Resource Key
1919-1926
22
1
Dams and Wells
Archival Resource Key
1919-1926
22
2
Draft Tubes
Archival Resource Key
1937, undated
22
3
Factory (exterior views)
Archival Resource Key
1951-1952, undated
22
4
Gates and Mechanisms
Archival Resource Key
1920-1927
22
5
Scope and Contents
Includes two images from [Poudrie Nacionale?] in Pont du Buin, France, 1920.
Gates
Archival Resource Key
1926-1927
23
1
Gates
Gates
Archival Resource Key
1926-1927
23
2
Installations
Archival Resource Key
1949-1957
23
3
Installations
Archival Resource Key
1954-1956
23
4
Installations
Archival Resource Key
1926, undated
23
5
Installations
Archival Resource Key
1924, 1954, undated
24
1
Installations
Archival Resource Key
undated
24
2
Installations
Archival Resource Key
undated
24
3
Installations
Archival Resource Key
undated
24
4
Installations
Archival Resource Key
undated
24
5
Installations
Archival Resource Key
undated
25
1
Penstock (J. & J. Rogers Company Power Plant, Black Brook, New York)
Archival Resource Key
undated
25
2
Power Transmission
Archival Resource Key
1924
25
3
Runners
Archival Resource Key
1927, undated
25
4
Runners
Archival Resource Key
1950-1957
25
5
Runners
Archival Resource Key
undated
25
6
Steam
Archival Resource Key
undated
26
1
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1927, undated
26
2
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1946-1953
26
3
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1943-1949
27
1
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1924-1927
27
2
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1927, undated
27
3
Turbo Generators
Archival Resource Key
1926, undated
27
4
Turbines without cases
Archival Resource Key
1930, undated
28
1
Waterfalls
Archival Resource Key
undated
28
2
Water Wheels (early)
Archival Resource Key
undated
28
3
Miscellaneous Equipment
Archival Resource Key
undated
28
4
Miscellaneous Structures
Archival Resource Key
1926-1927
28
5
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1924, undated
29
1
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1927
29
2
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
1927
29
3
Turbines without cases
Archival Resource Key
1927
29
4
Turbines with cases
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
1
Trade Literature
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
1890s-1976
Trade Literature
Archival Resource Key
1948-1976
18
7
James Leffel and Company, advertising
Archival Resource Key
1890s, 1940s
18
8
Trump Manufacturing
Archival Resource Key
1920, undated
18
9
Alabama Power Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
10
Bigelow Company
Archival Resource Key
1938, 1943
18
11
Bridgeport Boiler Works Company
Archival Resource Key
1935
18
12
Brownell Company
Archival Resource Key
1938
18
13
A. V. Carroll Machine Tool Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
14
The Casey-Hedges Co.
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
15
The C. H. Dutton Co.
Archival Resource Key
1938
18
16
Christiana Machine Company
Archival Resource Key
1940
18
17
Cincinnati Machinery & Supply Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
18
Cleveland Cranes
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
19
Coffin Value Company
Archival Resource Key
1911
18
20
Crocker-Wheeler Electric Manufacturing Co.
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
21
Cushman Chuck Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
22
Dillion
Archival Resource Key
1934
18
23
A. B. Farquhar Co. Limited
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
24
Farrar & Trefts
Archival Resource Key
1931
18
25
Fitzgibbons Boiler Company
Archival Resource Key
1940
18
26
Fitz Water Wheel Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
27
Fitz Water Wheel Co.
Archival Resource Key
1908, 1919-1920
18
28
Foxboro Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
29
Freeman Manufacturing Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
30
Freeman Pattern Supply & Manufacturing Co., Catalog No. 6
Archival Resource Key
undated
18
31
The Frost Manufacturing Co.
Archival Resource Key
undated
19
1
The Gem City Boiler Co.
Archival Resource Key
1928
19
2
General Electric
Archival Resource Key
1942
19
3
Scope and Contents
Includes a pamphlet describing the G-E Motorule, a new way to determine motor Hp required for metal cutting operations, 1942.
B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company
Archival Resource Key
1932, 1934, undated
19
4
C. H. Gosiger Machinery Company
Archival Resource Key
1929
19
5
Gurley Engineering Instruments
Archival Resource Key
1928
19
6
Hanover Foundry & Machine Company, gear list
Archival Resource Key
1900
19
7
Heston & Anderson
Archival Resource Key
undated
19
8
Hill-Brunner Foundry Supply Co., Catalogue No. 10
Archival Resource Key
1916
19
9
Hill Clutch Company
Archival Resource Key
1899
19
10
Hodge Boiler Works (The Tops)
Archival Resource Key
undated
19
11
Hoppes Water Wheel Company
Archival Resource Key
1925-1930
19
12
International Engineering Works, Inc., Bulletin No. 23
Archival Resource Key
1940
19
13
International Engineering Works, Inc., No. 22, Brady
Archival Resource Key
1926
19
14
I-X-L Steel Overshoot Water Wheel Co.
Archival Resource Key
1902
19
15
Johnston Brothers, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1938
19
16
Kewanee Boiler Co., Catalog 99-2b
Archival Resource Key
1938-1939
19
17
Kisco Bulletin No. K. S. M. 373
Archival Resource Key
1938
19
18
Lookout, Bulletin No. 107
Archival Resource Key
1940
19
19
Lucian Q. Moffitt, Inc.
Archival Resource Key
1934
19
20
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Company
Archival Resource Key
1917
20
1
Lukens Steel Company
Archival Resource Key
1929
20
2
Lycoming Manufacturing Company
Archival Resource Key
1939
20
3
J. S. McCormick Co., Catalogue No. 30
Archival Resource Key
1915
20
4
Metals Coating Company of America
Archival Resource Key
1933
20
5
Metal Spray Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
6
Mississippi River Power Company, Bulletins
Archival Resource Key
1911-1912
20
7
Rains Metallic Packing Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
8
Ocean Shore Iron Works
Archival Resource Key
1938
20
9
ORR & Sembower, Inc., Bulletins 408, 410, 411
Archival Resource Key
1931-1940
20
10
Reliance Electric and Engineering Company
Archival Resource Key
1923
20
11
Rodney Hunt Machine Company
Archival Resource Key
1952
20
12
Rumford Falls Power Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
13
Schwab Boiler & Machine Company
Archival Resource Key
1938
20
14
S. Morgan Smith, gearing and machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
15
Standard Electric Time Company
Archival Resource Key
1922
20
16
Wellman Products Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
17
Wells-Titusville Corporation
Archival Resource Key
1938-1940
20
18
Williams & Davis Boiler and Welding Company
Archival Resource Key
1930
20
19
The Wolf Company
Archival Resource Key
1911
20
20
Udylite Process Company
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
21
Universal Gear Corporation
Archival Resource Key
undated
20
22
Wellman Products Company
Archival Resource Key
1923
20
23
Western Electric Inter-Phones and Accessories
Archival Resource Key
undated
21
1
WM Bros Boiler & MFG. Company
Archival Resource Key
1933
21
2
Worthington Pump & Machinery Corporation
Archival Resource Key
1923
21
3
Photographs
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
1908-1929
Factories
Archival Resource Key
undated
41
1
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs of factories located along rivers, particularly Tammerfors factories for cotton, linen and wool in Finland; and Trump Manufacturing Company.
Numbered photographs, #101-#1219
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
2
Numbered photographs, #2001-#3003
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
3
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
4
Shop Views
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
5
Completed turbine units
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
6
Completed turbine units
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
7
Power Connections
Archival Resource Key
undated
30
8
Special hoists (Terminal Railway Co., Springfield, Vermont)
Archival Resource Key
1928
31
2
Turbines without cases
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
3
Stokers and Boilers
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
4
Testing
Archival Resource Key
1922, undated
31
5
Factory
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
6
Hydro-electric
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
7
Applications and buildings
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
8
[G. White Ax Company]
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
9
"B" Series, Boilers and Stokers
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
10
L-11 to L-1857 Turbines
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
11
"M" Series
Archival Resource Key
undated
31
12
"P" Series, Runners
Archival Resource Key
undated
32
1
Erection and installation of turbines
Archival Resource Key
1908-1927
32
2
Mills and Dams
Archival Resource Key
1912-1926
32
3
Pumping plants, turbines, water wheels
Archival Resource Key
1900s
32
4
[Travel related?]
Archival Resource Key
1909-1926
32
5
Scope and Contents
Includes images for [Urunga Waterfall in New South Wales?], McGregor, Iowa; Glen Ferris, Virginia; Greensboro, North Carolina; Spring Green, Wisconsin; Pierce, Nebraska, and a postcard for the Michigan Paper Company.
Machinery, canal views
Archival Resource Key
early 1900s
32
6
Scope and Contents
Includes images for Hoppes Hydro-Electric Plant and a series of postcard images documenting the building a canal in [Central America?].
[Irrigation in Florida?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
32
7
Equipment installations, views of dams
Archival Resource Key
1920s
32
8
Indian Ford and Fulton Stations
Archival Resource Key
1929
32
9
Impulse Wheels
Archival Resource Key
undated
32
10
Early turbines
Archival Resource Key
undated
32
11
Factory Machine Shop and Foundry
Archival Resource Key
undated
32
12
Unidentified, unnumbered
Archival Resource Key
undated
33
1
Writings and Journal Artricles
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
1881-1954
Doble, A. The Tangential Water Wheel, Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers
Archival Resource Key
1899
33
2
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Transactions
Archival Resource Key
1929 January-April
33
3
Instructions to erecting engineer for turbine at Loup River, Monroe, Nebraska
Archival Resource Key
1937
33
4
The Lengthening of Niagara Falls
Archival Resource Key
193?
33
5
Mechanical Engineering
Archival Resource Key
1934 February
33
6
National Electric Light Association
Archival Resource Key
1932
33
7
New Swedish water power installation, report
Archival Resource Key
undated
33
8
Scientific American
Archival Resource Key
1933 October
33
9
Leffel's Construction of Mill Dams and Bookwalter's Millwright and Mechanic
Archival Resource Key
1881
33
10
Tennessee Valley Authority
Archival Resource Key
1933
33
11
Traux Model Wheel
Archival Resource Key
1932
33
12
Articles, clippings, and ephemera about turbines
Archival Resource Key
1871-1954
33
13
Zeitschrift fur das Gesamte Turbinenwesen (Journall of Turbines, Steam, Water, Gas)
Archival Resource Key
1912
34
1
Glass Plate Negatives
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
1890s-1950s, undated
Scope and Contents
Negatives including glass plates and nitrate--486 pieces--divided into Trump Co. photos and Leffel photos. Each is in numerical groupings. ALso includes some film negatives. Some of the negatives are broken or missing part of the plate.
Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Trump Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete unit
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Agreement, International Paper Company (page 255)
Archival Resource Key
1898
35
Unidentified factory building
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
[Unidentified man with turbine blade?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
[Unidentified man with turbine blade?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Weir Dam
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Weir Dam
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbine, no case
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbine, no case
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Leffel steam engine
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Runners
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Runners
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Power Transmission
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Power Transmission
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Power Transmission
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Turbines, complete units
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
Unidentified film negatives depicting equipment
Archival Resource Key
undated
35
#262, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#301, Turbines on a railroad car outside the James Leffel & Company building
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#302, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#310, Double Discharge Turbine, new 15 inch
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#312, Horse drawn wagon
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#322, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#324, Columbia Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#332, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#335, Cascade Water Wheel, 50 inch and 100 H.P.
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#337, Cascade Water Wheel, 50 inch and 100 H.P.
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#346, [Columbus Electric Railway Water Power Plant, Section Four?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#349, Columbus, Georgia Electric Light and Railway, 68 inch Samson Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#368, Columbus Electric Railway Water Power Plant, Section Four
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#368-A, Columbus Electric Railway Water Power Plant, Section Four
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#372, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#388, Clutch Pulleys, Style 30, single horizontal turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#390, Electric Power 140 foot head generator connected direct, high grade turbines
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#394, Triple Cascade connected direct to two electric exciters
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#397, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#398, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#405, Twin Samson turbines
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#412, Leffel Double Discharge, Water Wheel plant, friction pulley connections
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#413, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#414, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#415, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#416, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
36
#417, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#424, Turbine, A6 1/2 x 10
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#427, James Leffel and Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#428, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#435, Exterior view of a building, location unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#442, Columbus, Georgia Electric Railway Electric Power and Lighting Plant, Section Seven and Eight Transmission Machinery
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#447, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#455, Cascade Water Wheel, Dynamo Connection
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#465, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#467, George l. Squire Manufacturing Company, Buffalo, New York
Archival Resource Key
1892
37
#473, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#479, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#480, Cotton Mill Power Plant, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#507, Leffel Niagara Turbine, Montana Power Company, 21 Mile Transmission, 7000 H.P. Plant
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#513, Leffel Niagara Turbine, Montana Power Company, 21 Mile Transmission, 7000 H.P. Plant
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#514, Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#522, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#523, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#528, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#529, Five Nozzle 30 x Cascade for Wood Mounting
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#531, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#541, [Unidentified Turbine?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#544, [Unidentified Turbine?]
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#548, Horizontal Samson Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#579, James Leffel & Company, shop view
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
#669, Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
#1115, Runner
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
#1034, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
#1035, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
#1036, Unidentified
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Runner
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Hoppes Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Blueprints
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Overview of plant
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Cascade Water Wheel
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Test
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Draft tube
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Dam
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
Pen Stock
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
Dam
Archival Resource Key
undated
37
Turbine
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Dam
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Agreement, International Paper Company (page 256)
Archival Resource Key
1898
38
Hoppes Hydro Electric
Archival Resource Key
undated
38
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1950-1953
39
1
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1951-1953
39
2
Drawing, Trump Scroll Case Turbine, Trump Manufacturing Company, designed for U.S. Reclamation Service, Elephant Butte Project, New Mexico
Archival Resource Key
1918
39
3
Drawing, Trump Scroll Case Turbine, Trump Manufacturing Company, designed for U.S. Reclamation Service, Tilton Power Plant No. 1
Archival Resource Key
undated
39
4
Drawing, Job 2195, Runner and Gates, U.S. Reclamation Service Project
Archival Resource Key
1916
39
5