Richard Trevithick

Richard Trevithick , (April 13rd 1771 - April 22nd 1833) was born with Camborne in the mine field from the Cornouailles from a father Engineer. He has as a neighbor William Murdoch, the pioneer of the coaches with vapor. Its experiments on the vapor as average of propulsion of a vehicle on road cause inspiration for Trevithick. It takes an active share in the local efforts to break the monopoly founded by James Watt and its Steam engine by the design of a new machine.

In 1800, it builds a machine with high pressure more powerful and more economic than that of Watt. She is a great success in Cornouailles and in the south of the Wales.

After a series of experiments between 1801 and 1803, Trevithick takes a Patente for three vehicles with vapor with high pressure which circulate on road with London, Camborne and Coalbrookdale. In 1801, its first “vapor car” known under the name of “Puffing Devil” is one of the first vehicles to be driven by its clean powerful and to transport passengers. This ancestor of the Motor vehicle is introduced to the public the day before Christmas, led by the cousin of the inventor, Andrew Vivian. In 1803, it presents a new vehicle which fills with enthusiasm the London public, but this means of transport is quickly abandoned because it appears well too expensive compared to traditional the Calèche.

In 1804, it builds a Locomotive with vapor for the mines of PEN-there-Darren, close to Merthyr Tydfil. The February 21st, 1804, it tows without encumber 10 tons of iron and five coaches charged with 70 men. on a long way of 9 miles and half, at the speed of 8km/h (the way is done in four hours and five minutes), and this, in spite of some engineering problems (rails which break in the passing of the convoy). One second engine was built for Christopher Blackett with Wylam, but it was never used.

Its third engine, “catch-which-can Me” ( Wrestling-me-who-edge ) is presented to London, close to Euston, in the form of an attraction. Public with the possibility of travelling in coaches drawn by the engine on a circular way. The purpose of this blow of publicity was to convince the investors of the potential of the invention, in order to create a railway network which exceeded the simple framework of the mine. The idea is abandoned following the refusal of investors to finance the construction of this type of engine however more modern than that of PEN-there-Darren. It indeed comprised a vertical roll which directly joined the wheels on one on the sides.

On its native soil of Cornouailles, Trevithick was “the Giant of Cornouailles”, nickname acquired thanks to its reputation of large worker and innovator. Too much modern compared to its time, Trevithick remains misunderstood by its contemporaries. The more so as elsewhere, he is seen like an inventor unable to devote himself to only one project. He flickers from one idea to another, without having tenacity to overcome inevitable technological advances or financial.

The majority of its ideas were taken again by others whereas itself gave up very to leave to the adventure in South America. In 1816, it goes to the Peru to work as mining engineer. Its success is of short duration, and in 1826, the civil war obliges it to return in to Dartford, in England, ruined. During its voyage, it meets Robert Stephenson with Colombia. If the meeting again are merry, the two men have to say themselves however little.

Richard Trevithick dies in poverty, ignored of all, whereas it can be regarded as the pioneer of the car and the Railroad.

His/her son, Francis Trevithick, becomes the superintendant first of the London & North Western Railway Company.

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