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| From November 1922 Southern Lumberman |
This firm manufactured speed governors for sawmill steam engines. Thomas R. Pickering's governor, patented in 1862, used the usual centrifugal balls, but rather than working against gravity as they were spun by the engine they worked against leaf springs. The Pickering governor was claimed to be more precise and accurate than its predecessors, and customers must have agreed because it sold extremely well, from its introduction all the way into the 1920s.
Founded by Thomas R. Pickering who patented a governor that used springs instead of gravity, the firm grew to be one of the largest governor manufacturers in the U. S. The governors ranged in size from a 3/8" to a 12" steam connection. The firm electrified its plant in 1890.
Mr. Pickering died in 1895 and the running of the company was taken over by John H. Hall
A YouTube video describes the safety features of the Pickering governor.
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