Note 46 — Chapter IV · Thomas Newcomen—The Atmospheric Engine.

“It may be interesting to know that it required three hands to work Newcomen’s first engines. I have heard it said that when the engine was stopped, and again set at work, the words were passed “Snift Benjy!” “Blow the fire, Pomery!” “Work away, Joe!” The last let in the condensing water. Lifting the condensing clack was called “snifting,” because on opening the valve, the air rushing through it made a noise like a man snifting. The fire was increased through artificial means by another hand, and all being ready, the machine was set in motion by a third.”—Cyrus Redding, ‘Yesterday and To-day.’ London, 1863. The “snifting clack” was a valve in the cylinder opening outwards, which permitted the escape of air or permanently elastic fluid, which could not be condensed by cold and run off through the eduction-pipe.