Early Air Compressors
The "blowing cylinder" compressor was the first to be invented. Created in 1762, it could produce 14.5 pounds per square inch (99.9 kPa).[2]
In 1829, a compound air compressor was patented. A little more than 40 years later, in 1872, the compressor was improved with the use of water jets that cooled the cylinders. This invention emphasized the importance of controlling the temperature and moisture of the air that is being compressed for higher efficiency of tools.