What the Steam Engine Does” is, apparently, every possible kind of work that needed to be done in 19th-century America. This cheery list reinforces the theme of the wonders of industry, which Youth’s Companion didn’t explore often at this time.


http://www.merrycoz.org/yc/STEAM.xhtml
“What the Steam Engine Does” (from Youth’s Companion, 19 July 1849; p. 48)

It propels, it rows, it sculls, it warps, it tows, it elevates, it towers, it pumps, it drains, it draws, it pulls, it drives, it pushes, it carries, it brings, it scatters, it collects, it condenses, it extracts, it splits, it breaks, it confines, it opens, it shuts, it digs, it shovels, it excavates, it ploughs, it thrashes, it separates, it winnows, it washes, it grinds, it crushes, it sifts, it belts, it mixes, it kneads, it moulds, it stamps, it punches, it beats, it presses, it hews, it cuts, it slits, it shaves, it splits, it saws, it planes, it turns, it bores, it mortices, it drills, it heads, it blows, it forges, it rolls, it hammers, it rasps, it files, it polishes, it rivets, it sweeps, it brushes, it scratches, it cards, it spins, it winds, it twists, it throws, it weaves, it shears, it coins, it prints.

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