Mekarsky compressed air engine. Historical illustration of a vertical section through the compressed air engine (bouillotte) designed in the 1870s by Polish-French engineer Louis Mekarsky (1843-1923). These engines were used to power trams in Paris and Nantes. Further Mekarsky systems were built between 1895 and 1901 in Vichy, Aix-les-Bains, La Rochelle, and Saint-Quentin. Artwork from 'Moteurs' (1911) by French civil engineer Max de Nansouty (1854-1913), part of the 'Les merveilles de la science' series of 1867-1891 by Louis Figuier.