Based on previous work by George Cayley (known for his pioneering work on aeronautics), Stirling filed his patent for a safer engine in 1816. That makes this year the bicentenary of this engine.

The model Stirling engine is a staple of novelty catalogues, and we daresay that were it not for their high price there might be more than one Hackaday reader or writer who might own one.

Its quiet Stirling engines helped it evade detection ... “It’s all thanks to a very old-school engine. Instead of using its diesel to power an internal combustion engine (which is quite ...