Tanya Weaver looks back at a fiery start for the steam locomotive, the beginnings of a Christmas tradition and ‘genius’ Hertha Ayrton.

223 years ago

All puffed out

On 24 December 1801, British mechanical engineer and inventor Richard Trevithick took seven of his friends for a test ride on his recently completed steam-powered passenger vehicle, marking the first ever successful journey by a steam locomotive.

The Puffing Devil or Puffer, so named on account of the steam it created, set off on its journey travelling up a hill in Camborne, Cornwall.

A few days later, while the locomotive was being taken out for further tests, it was damaged on the road and broke down. Trevithick and the other passengers sought refuge in a pub.

While they were having a meal and drinks, the Puffing Devil’s water boiled off, causing the engine to overheat and catch fire, destroying it.

Trevithick did not consider this a serious setback. He continued working on his designs and famously in 1804 built the world’s...