Springfield Gas Machine 1860s–1920s

@Nat shared this photo saying, "I’ve been working in the propane business on Nantucket for 33 years. I’ve always been interested in the evolution of fuels since whale oil. In 1988 I came across a fully intact Springfield Gas Machine which were used in homes outside of the Coal Gasworks in cities. Nantucket had a coal gasification plant in the core of town up until 1968. But in outlying areas this marvelous invention was installed in garage/sheds of homes for lighting and cooking up until around 1920. This picture is the frame and pit in floor of one of these machines I found this year. Note the pipe cut off that distributed the gas to the home underground. My goal is to find one of these historic marvels intact and get it preserved. Amazing to think that this was modern living back then." (Thanks, Nat!)