April 9, 1895 – Steam carriage inventor Richard Dudgeon dies
The first Dudgeon steam vehicle in 1858.
In search of the American Dream, Richard Dudgeon's family headed for New York from Scotland in the first half of the 19th century. Though just a boy at the time, Dudgeon took full advantage of the opportunities in his adopted home town. During his professional explorations, he found he had a knack for mechanics and engineering. In 1849, at about age 30, he acted on his interests and founded a custom machine shop. Its success would be solidified two years later when he received a patent for a "portable hydraulic press," better known today as the hydraulic jack. His innovative nature could not be quelled.
Now making decent money, Dudgeon used hisresources to begin experimenting with steam locomotion. His efforts resulted in the 1855 Dudgeon Ste...
