Tech History Made on January 9, 1843

On this day in 1843 William Hedley passed away. Hedley worked for many years managing a coal mine. The coal was moved by horse drawn carriages that rode on wooden rails. Hedley's boss commissioned an engineer to build a steam locomotive but it was too heavy to operate on the existing wooden rails. Once they were replaced with iron rails the boss asked Hedley to build another steam locomotive, which Hedley would name Puffing Billy. The engine was 8 tons but was not a very smooth ride. Hedley found that if the rails and wheels were smooth that the ride would be smoother and there was still enough friction to keep the engine moving. He continued to work with steam engines until his death at the age of 63. Today, Puffing Billy is the oldest surviving steam railway locomotive in the world. It is displayed above as it was originally constructed in 1813.