Happy September 2! For my first Historical Thursday, we’ll be taking a look at the wins and fails of one man’s attempt at building steam-powered transport.

Richard Trevithick is the godfather of the locomotive; his work with steam engines resulted in the first working steam train in 1804. The high pressure engines he designed broke new ground and gave rise to the power of the locomotive during the 19th century. But before his successes, his poorly designed contraptions had a relatively short life, due to their tendency to explode.

Trevithick’s first model of steam-powered transport, dubbed Puffing Devil, weighed an absurd 1,500 kilos and maxxed out at 9 mph. But its first tests in 1801 were surprisingly successful and are considered to be the first time people have been transported by steam. Unfortunately, this experimental iteration met its demise just a few days after its first run. Because the internal fires were left burning, the carriage burst into flames while the driver decided to pound back a few brews at a nearby pub.

Almost as cool as a penny farthing

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It works well, but everyone knows the Sharpie version dries quicker. ~Not-So-Handy Andy

Either that, or S70P is the world’s most helpful tagger. ~Not-So-Handy Andy

Because the thing in the walls’ eyes aren’t what they used to be. ~Not-So-Handy Andy

After the Christianization of Scandinavia, Thor had to find more practical applications for his mighty hammer. ~Not-So-Handy Andy

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alberto.cerero

The Super Bocks gave up on their dream to be a frat boy’s mantle decoration and found a steady job in the drainage business. ~Not-So-Handy Andy

Contrary to the impermanent nature of some of the kludges here, some things have to change, and it is my pleasure to introduce the new moderator of There I Fixed It, Not-So-Handy Andy. Andy has been working behind the scenes on the site for a while and his knowledge of kludges is perchance deceived by his moniker but believe me he knows a thing or two about the uses of duct-tape and viking metal.

It’s been real y’all,

Frankie Fix-It

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AileenFree

Once a promising recruit, he’s really been trailing behind lately.

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The only company who hasn’t upgraded to CB from Tin Can.

And they laughed when I told them I had to take the bus to school.