The world's first steam locomotive: history of creation and interesting facts

The beginning of the industrial revolution in Europe is associated with the invention of a steam engine, originally used in the mining and weaving industries. The ingenious invention spodviglo set of engineers to adapt it for transport needs. The subject of the article is the first steam locomotive in the world and interesting facts related to its appearance.

Prerequisites

The water pump is known to mankind from the time of antiquity. Several centuries had to pass, so that it learned to use the energy of steam, the practical application of which was first spoken by the great Leonardo da Vinci. Single steam engines, created at the end of the XVII century - the steam boiler of the Frenchman Denis Papen (1680), the pump of the Englishman Thomas Severi (1898) - were a real curiosity.

The creation of a safe reciprocating engine, in which water was injected, is associated with the name of the Englishman Thomas Newcomen (1711). Improvement of these inventions brought the mechanic from Glasgow to James Watt world-wide fame. It was he who received a patent for the creation of a steam engine (1769), suitable for wide application in production.

The world's first steam locomotive will be created after the fundamental invention: the separation of the main cylinder and the condenser, which made it possible not to expend energy on the constant warming up of the engine. The manufacture of steam engines was put on stream in 1776 due to the appearance of turning, milling and planing machines.

By 1785, 66 engines were built. However, in order to impart a rotational motion to the working shaft, a dual-action steam engine was needed. His Watt patented in 1784, and by 1800 he had already been used in all branches of production, putting other machines into operation.

Richard Trevithick

Who invented the first steam locomotive in the world? One of the first to try to use the steam engine for transport needs was the Frenchman Nicola Cunho, who created the self-propelled crew (1769). At this time, Richard Trevithick has not even been born.

A native of Cornwall (England), the famous mining district, the future inventor was born into a large family in 1771. His father was a respected miner, and Richard, who fell in love with children, tried to facilitate work underground, improving steam engines and miner pumps. In 1801, for the needs of the enterprise, he created a cart - the prototype of the first bus, which later became widely used as an independent mode of transport. It was a trackless locomotive (the year of obtaining the patent - 1802nd), named Puffing Devil.

If the Watt engines were bulky due to the use of low pressure steam, R. Trevithick did not hesitate to increase it several times (up to 8 atmospheres). The power remained the same, but the dimensions of the engine were significantly reduced, which was important for the development of transport. Watt took this very negatively, considering high pressure unsafe.

Testing

In South Wales, cast iron rails were created, the inventor himself at that time resided in Cambourne. Experienced way Trevithik proved that when smooth wheels come in contact with smooth rails, there will be a friction force sufficient for the movement of the locomotive, even if it is attached to it by wagons laden with coal. This was very important considering the practical purposes of the enterprises.

For industrial needs, the first steam locomotive in the world was built in the year preceding its testing (1803). English newspapers wrote about them in February 1804, informing about the use of the invented machine for transportation of 10 tons of iron. The self-propelled carriage on the rails covered a distance of 9 miles, and along the way the weight of the cargo increased to 15 tons - about 70 people risked climbing up to ride under the approving rumble of the crowd. The speed was 5 miles per hour, while the boiler did not need to add water. But too cumbersome locomotive could not have spread, so Trevithick continues to improve the design.

Catch Me Who Can

For a new model called "Catch Me Who Can", on the outskirts of London, Trevithick builds a ring road from the rails. He believes that the manufacturers will be interested in the new machine. Hanging the test site with a high fence, he even begins to sell tickets for those who want to ride, hoping to cover expenses and make a profit. The new engine made it possible to reach speeds of up to 30 km / h.

But the idea did not bring success. The world's first locomotive for passengers, created for the sake of entertainment, did not attract the attention of industrialists. Because of the broken iron plate, he overturned, having received serious damage. Trevithick did not even restore it, taking up other inventions. In 1816, he left for Peru to set up his engines in the local mines.

The fate of Trevithick: interesting facts

Until 1827, an outstanding inventor remained in South America. Returning to the country, he discovered that his achievements were successfully used and developed by other engineers. He died in 1833, being almost a beggar. The main problem that did not allow the realization of his ideas at the turn of the century was the lack of roads. He spent his fortune on clearing special trails for steam wagons, freeing them from trees and stones.

The very first steam locomotive in the world became the reason for James Watt's appeal to the Parliament of England, so that lawmakers banned engines using high-pressure steam. The law was not adopted, but it still suspended the development of Trevithick.

Watt put forward an accusation against his student in stealing the idea of creating a steam engine from the firm "Botton and Watt." This caused a grand scandal, forcing Trevithica to defend its honest name.

Only in the 1920s conditions for steam transport were created. This is due to the name of George Stephenson.

Opening of the railway of public importance

Even during the life of Trevithick, in 1825, a railroad was opened, connecting Stockton and Darlington. Self-taught engineer George Stephenson came up with a convenient design that allows the locomotive to pull a heavy train along smooth rails. In his invention, the rails themselves played an important role, the tracks of which are still generally accepted in Western Europe (1,435 mm). The locomotive during the opening of the railway was managed by Stephenson himself, and next to it was a cavalcade of horsemen, behind the descent. The amazement of the crowd was beyond limit. The speed was 24 km / h.

For public needs, the world's first steam locomotive created Stephenson in 1814. He overcame a distance of 30 km, and by the middle of the century all of Europe was covered by a network of railways. The locomotives began to transport not only goods, but also people.

The Soviet version

In the Soviet Union for a long time it was claimed that the steam engine Stephenson and the Russians Cherepanov were invented. Father and son allegedly did this regardless of Western Europe. In fact, Miron Cherepanov visited England, where he saw the construction on the rails. Returning to Vyysky factory, he tried to copy what he had seen, but still it took him two years to develop his idea. The first steam locomotive on the rails was tested in 1804 (many consider this date the birthday of the locomotive), and the "land steamer" appeared in Russia in 1833.

It was used to transport ore until the whole forest was exterminated in the vicinity. Locomotives were replaced by horse traction, remembering the invention two years later.

It's curious

In Cambourne there is a statue: Richard Trevithick holds his first trackless vehicle bearing the name "Sucking Devil". The model can be seen in many museums devoted to the history of locomotive building. And where is the world's first steam locomotive?

Once the inventor stopped at the tavern, forgetting to reduce the fire, which maintains the temperature of the boiler. When the water boiled, the cart caught fire. Enough for a few minutes to be gone. However, this did not upset the cheeky Trevithick, who continued to work on new inventions.

The place of his burial, unfortunately, is lost, but the name of the talented engineer is inscribed in gold letters in world history.