Each year, Pratt engineer Conrad Milster puts on an amazing steam whistle show on campus on New Year’s Eve at midnight. For some reason, I’ve never heard them sound! I’ve seen the smoke from my window during test runs, but have yet to venture over for the official show.
The steam whistles were installed in 1900 to power the campus. They remained in use until a few years ago (they were still operating two campus elevators!).
Milster has maintained the steam plant since 1965, and has been conducting the midnight show for years. The NYT listed it here, back in 1980 (last listing on page). Also check out this YouTube video of last year’s presentation.
The steam plant at Pratt is still in its original condition, and was declared a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1977.
Check it out tonight!
The steam WHISTLES weren’t installed in 1900 to power the campus – the steam PLANT was. He’s been collecting the whistles (and horns) for years
And as far as I know, the steam plant is still functioning (at least it was a year ago when I took a tour) – I think its the oldest one in the US.
Saw the whistle show last year and it was pretty neat – very interactive!
its amazing, his house is full of them as well as old subway signs and meters and cats of course.
Now he is someone I would enjoy reading a CHB Interview with.