During the industrial revolution, many different inventions came about, that hugely impacted society. One such invention is the steam engine locomotive. The steam engine locomotive not only made transport easier, but it also made it quicker and more efficient. The invention of the steam engine locomotive not only impacted travel, but also the economy. Due to the invention of the locomotive steam engine, many new jobs were created, which in turn brought about many people to start a new life in the city. The increase in city population, as well as the invention of the steam train locomotive hugely impacted society, in both positive and negative ways.
The invention of the steam engine locomotive would not be possible without the invention of the steam engine itself! The steam engine was created by James Watt, who built the first prototype of the steam engine in 1865. This great invention by James Watt led to the invention of not only the steam boat, and many other steam powered machines, but also the steam engine locomotive! The steam engine locomotive was first invented and patented by a man named Richard Trevithick, in 1802, however in 1825, the first successful steam engine locomotive was made possible by George Stephenson, in England. George Stephenson is also credited as inventing the first public railway for steam locomotives. (Cavendish, 2014) The steam engine train is powered by coal, which the steam engine burns, to create the energy to power the train. According to British science writer, Chris Woodford, there are four different parts to a steam engine. First, there is a fire where the coal burns, second, a boiler full of water heats up the fire to make the steam, and third, steam from the boiler is put into a cylinder, causing a piston to move back and forth, which is the movement that is used to drive the train. In the forth part, the water pump attaches itself to the piston. (Woodford, 2017)
The invention of the steam engine locomotive drastically impacted society in a variety of ways. This invention was much easier than the previous ways of transporting goods and people, which was on horseback. The steam engine locomotive made is easier for goods as well as people to be transported! Because of this invention, many new jobs were created, and as many new jobs begin to open up, and more opportunity became available in the cities, people began to move to these cities. This one invention impacted the population so much, that in places like London, the population doubled. London is a very important place when it comes to the history of the steam engine locomotive, and this is due to the fact that before steam engines came about, London was mostly agriculture based, but this changed because of the industrial revolution, and more importantly because of the steam engine. (Mason, 2015) Another benefit from the steam engine locomotive was the fact that the locomotive made for cheaper goods, as the productivity of transport lowered the cost.
Although the steam engine locomotive created many beneficial factors to society, it also had a negative impact. While the population of cities began to increase, so did air pollution, as well as overcrowding. This overcrowding resulted in slums, which brought about disease, and an unsanitary way of life, for the low class. The air pollution that was brought about by the steam engine locomotive was caused by the burning coal of the engine. The steam engine not only created air pollution, but also water pollution, and more specifically, polluted rivers. The carbon dioxide that was released into the air made for a very poor quality of life. Unfortunately, the negative effects of the steam engine locomotive do not stop there. The air pollution gave way to not only poor living conditions, but also poor working conditions. Due to the invention of the steam locomotive, people moved to the cities to find jobs, and In the nearby, newly built factories, the working hours were often unfair and tedious, and often included child workers. During this time period, the children worked in terrible conditions. They often worked more than 14 hours a day, and they worked in environments that were unhealthy, and damaging to their physical health. The children often lost limbs, died during gas explosions, got crushed under machines, or burned. Many workers also got lung cancer, due to the deadly fumes that they were breathing in. (Kras, 2003)
In conclusion, the invention of the steam engine locomotive drastically impacted society in a variety of ways. Not only did the stem engine locomotive create jobs, but it also made transporting of goods more efficient, and quicker. The world as we know it today, would not be the same if it was not for the invention of the steam engine locomotive.