Classifications
pseudocylindric
equal-area
Graticule
Meridians: Complex curves.
Parallels: Straight parallel lines.
Poles: Points.
Symmetry: About the central meridian and the equator.
Distortion
Free of distortion along the equator. High latitudes suffer.
Similar projections
Kavrayskiy V and McBryde-Thomas I have similar shape, but less extreme width to height ratio.
Origin
H.-C.-A. De Prépetit Foucaut, 1862. Foucaut averaged the y coordinates of the Lambert cylindric equal-area projection and the sinusoidal, and then compute x to yield an equal-area result.