Page 22 - All About History - Issue 16-14

Transport

GEORGE

STEPHENSON

STEAM-POWER PI

GEORGE STEPHENSON
English, 1781-1848

Known as the
Brief ‘Father of Railways’,
Stephenson was the
Bio engineer of the world’s
first public railway and
his locomotive now known as
Stephenson’s Rocket became
the template for steam engines
for the following 150 years.
Because of the success of the
Rocket the railways quickly
expanded across the country
and set a standard for rail travel
around the world.

01 THE ROCKET WAS INVOLVED IN
THE FIRST RAILWAY ACCIDENT

At the opening of the first passenger railway, the Liverpool
and Manchester Railway, there was a grand celebration.
Drawing big names from industry and government, there was a
procession of eight trains. The celebrations were marred though
when Rocket, Stephenson’s famous train, struck MP William
Huskisson, who later died from his injuries.

The term ‘Geordie’ He pioneered an He was illiterate He was an avid
02 might have come 03 early form 04 until he was 18 05 wrestler
from him of battery farming Stephenson was the second child Stephenson was also a big fan of
Stephenson developed a safety lamp Stephenson’s talents weren’t limited of Robert and Mabel and neither of wrestling and he would often invite
that prevented explosions in mines. to the train tracks. He also developed his parents could read or write. As his good friend and fellow engineer
Due to his Northern dialect and lack an early form of battery chicken a teenager, Stephenson worked as George Bidder to wrestle with him
of formal education he was accused farming. This involved shutting a fireman for Wylam Colliery. It was – in his own home, no less. The two
of stealing the idea and as a result his poultry in small dark boxes after a poorly paid and George did not earn men wrestled so frequently and
design was only used in the North heavy feed in order to fatten them enough money to pay for studies. fervently that they often broke chairs
East of England. The lamp earned up at twice the normal speed. He also It wasn’t until he was 17 years old and other pieces of furniture in the
the name ‘Geordie safety lamp’ after developed other aspects of farming, that he had finally saved up enough house. Stephenson’s son, Robert,
Stephenson’s nickname ‘Geordie the such as experimenting with manure money to go to night school in order once commented that he worried
engine-wright.’ and animal feed. to learn to read and write. they would bring the house down.
© Corbis
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