George Stephenson. English scientists // #EnglishLearners

George Stephenson George Stephenson was an English engineer and inventor. He was known as the Father of the Railway. George Stephenson was born in 1781 in England. His parents were illiterate. His father worked in a local coal mine. When the boy was 8, he tried to help his parents by doing farm work and driving horses to carry the coal carriages. He also worked as an assistant to his father in the mine, when he was 14. It was during this time that he began to experiment with steam engines. At the age of 17 he paid to study at night. After a year, he knew how to read, write, and do arithmetic. A young man got married at the age of 19. He had a son and a daughter. Unfortunately, his daughter soon died and he lost his wife too. George Stephenson supported his son`s education. The boy’s name was Robert. Robert had interests in engines and he shared his fascination with his dad. After successful repairing a pumping engine George Stephenson had a job. He maintained and repaired engines. He invented safety lamps for miners which did not cause an explosion. In 1814, Stephenson built his first steam locomotive, the “Blucher,“ which he designed and constructed with his son Robert. Two years later, he built another locomotive, the “Puffing Billy,“ which was used in the coal mines to transport coal. Stephenson’s most famous creation was the “Rocket,“ which he built in 1829 for the Rainhill Trials, a competition to find the best locomotive for use on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The Rocket was a great success, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and winning the competition. Stephenson continued to work on the development of the railways, and his innovations had a significant impact on transportation and industry. He also worked as a consultant on railway projects around the world, including in Belgium, France, and the United States. With his son Robert they created a company which produced the railway and locomotives. In addition to his work in engineering and invention, Stephenson was also a respected social and political figure. He served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal Party, and was a strong advocate for education and the improvement of working conditions. George Stephenson was married three times. He died in 1848 and was buried in Chesterfield. The Stephensons helped Britain become a leader in railways’ development which also served as the stimulus for the Industrial revolution.