George Stephenson
Mackenzie
George Stephenson was born on June 9, 1781, in a coal mining village called Wylam, England. He worked in the coal mines as a picker, fireman, plugman, brakeman, and engineer. He enjoyed tinkering with machinery and eventually began repairing engines in the mining pumps, though he was illiterate. He walked to Scotland on foot to work in a mine that was known for the best steam engine of the day. At the age of 20 he began designing his own locomotive, making all the components by hand. This locomotive, called "Blucher", became the first steam engine powered locomotive to run on any railroad track.