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On September 30, 1936, Smithsonian Secretary and astrophysicist Charles G. Abbot tested a solar radiation steam boiler of his design. The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) filmed the test and by operating an electric generator a short program was broadcast by solar power.
The solar radiation steam boiler exposed 36 square feet of mirror surface and it was intended to produce about 1/2 horsepower at the engine. The device had many defects and was too large to be practical for generating solar power. After the test a smaller solar flash boiler was prepared and offered greater promise.
Subject
Abbot, C. G (Charles Greeley) b. 1872
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Category
Chronology of Smithsonian History
Notes
Several images from this event can be found in SIRIS.
