In a message dated 6/23/2004 9:12:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes:

> For a decade, riveting and steel connections were made by steam powered tools, depending on a network of small boilers spread over the work site, since steam loses its power over
> long distances.

I guess it's a good thing that when Rosario candela invented thatch roofs, they weren't still using steam boilers all over construction sites to drive their rivet guns.

I hadn't thought about what powered rivet guns before pneumatic hoses, but all this steam and boilers doesn't sound like a good idea at all.

Ralph

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