[Shop-talk] historical machine shop question

[dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt)]

Before the cheap electric motor, it was usual to run machines in a
shop from a central engine (steam, water, hamster wheel) with a big
endless belt running over head.  At each machine, a second belt
carried power from the overhead to the machine's driven shaft.  Is
there a general term for this sort of set up?

-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com