George Stephenson (Stephenson George)

(1781-1848)
Born June 9, 1781 in the town of Wylie, near Newcastle. With 14 years worked as an assistant under his father, zamerschika gas content in coal mine Gyula. In his spare time involved in repairing hours. In 1812, became chief mechanic Killinguortskih mines. Reading the device, Watt's steam engine, in 1813 began construction of the engine. Successful test flight of the engine was held July 25, 1814. In 1815, Stephenson received a patent for the invention of the steam blowing device for the boiler, as well as mine safety lamp (almost simultaneously with G. Davey). In 1819-1822 supervised the construction of 13-kilometer railway line to the mine Hettona. In 1825 built a steam engine weighing 8 tons, speeds of up to 26 km / h. He headed the construction of the railway Liverpool - Manchester. First came to the idea of tunnel construction and the construction of railway embankments in areas with a strong inclination, was the initiator of the replacement of cast iron rails on forged steel. In 1847, founded and headed the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Stephenson died in Chesterfield on Aug. 12, 1848.