William+Murdock

William Murdock Information about him William Murdock was a Scottish engineer and long-term inventor.

He was the inventor of the oscillating steam engine, and gas lighting.   Murdock began the experiments in gas lighting for which he is famous today. Murdock was the first to realize that gas was a more convenient energy source than coal, primarily because it could be piped and controlled more easily.

Murdock also made innovations to the steam engine.

He is the third of seven children.

Murdock became a most popular man with the mine owners.

In 1815 he designed and installed the first gravity fed piped hot water system Early lighting fuels consisted of olive oil, beeswax, fish oil, whale oil, sesame oil, nut oil, and similar substances. These were the most commonly used fuels until the late 18th century.

He invented the steam gun and the pneumatic tube message system.

Murdoch built a prototype steam locomotive in 1784 and made a number of discoveries in chemistry. He is also said to have carried out experiments in natural gas, using coal heated in a copper kettle in a small cave near his father's mill

He was born on August 21, 1754 He died in 1839, aged 85.