The Paris Compressed-Air Power Network (2018)

The roots of the system go back to 1879 when the Austrian engineer Viktor Popp set up the Compagnie des Horloges Pneumatiques (CGHP)to drive pneumatic public clocks with one air pulse per minute, after authorization to install a compressed air network was granted by the City of Paris. Large amounts of power were handled by converted steam engines, but small amounts by a rotary air engine introduced by Popp; all attempts to get any more information on this intriguing device have so far failed. Left: The Paris compressed air network: 1891 The original Rue St-Fargeau compressing station is at top right.

Source: www.douglas-self.com