This model of the 17th century Savery engine was built by physics teacher Dan Stamm of Campbell High School, Smyrna, GA.

Invented by Thomas Savery in the late 17th century, the Savery engine was the first commercially successful steam engine. It was used to pump water out of mines.

In this model, water is boiled in the metal tank to drive out air, and then when the tank is cooled, it pumps water from the large jug.

Water above the boiling point produces steam at a pressure greater than one atmosphere. If valves A and B are open but C and D closed, then the steam pressure can pump water to height h2. When the cylinder is full of steam, then valves A and B can be closed and D opened. If cooling water is supplied to the cylinder, then the steam will condense, precipitously dropping its vapor pressure. The resulting vacuum causes water to rise height h1 from the mine shaft provided that height is less than 34 ft. The process can be repeated to pump water from the mine. Thomas Savery patented his mine pump in 1698.