Industrial Evolution

On This Day In History
1801: Richard Trevithick introduces his Puffing Devil

Quote Of The Day
"I have been branded with folly and madness for attempting what the world calls impossibilities, and even from the great engineers, the late James Watt, who said ..... that I deserved hanging for bringing into use the high-pressure engine. This has so far been my reward from the public; but should this be all, I shall be satisfied by the great secret pleasure and laudable pride that I feel in my own breast from having been the instrument of bringing forward new principles and new arrangements of boundless value to my country, and however much I may be straitened in pecuniary circumstances, the great honour of being a useful subject can never be taken from me, which far exceeds riches."
(Richard Trevithick)

Perhaps Trevithick would take pride in knowing that not only were steam locomotives one of the main driving forces behind the Industrial Revolution, they now provide shelter to wild cats.