This site sells, among other things, old illustrations of inventions from the 1800s: http://www.ivgstores.com/IVG2/Y/CatID-7986-American-Inventions-1883-Illustrations-Diagrams-Mechanics/Themes-1800s.htm?imagesize=large
They’re beautifully detailed and could be a source of inspiration.
MECHANICS OF THE ICE SKATE
Ah, the watchman’s time detector tickles my memory. In my University days I worked as one of those, and we carried the successor of this device.
That first one reminds me of the cajun bbq or crawfish boil trailers found around here. Mini kitchen on a trailer bed rented out for parties and picnics.
I’ve seen things similiar to the oven at southern pig roasts. not nearly as elegant tho.
Ah, yes, here in Texas practicality overrides elegance. And the camp cooking apparatus would be subject to severe hoo-rahing in my world, as it’s Freudian appearance would invite constant comment.