Self-taught teenagers

Stevenson (178 1 ~ 1848), British inventor. 1825, he successfully designed the running steam locomotive, and since then, the train has stepped onto the historical stage.

In the north of England, there are many small coal mines, where the mining industry is relatively developed, but the income of miners is very small. 1781April 13, the steam engine fireman ushered in a new life, and this new baby is Stevenson.

The arrival of a new life did not bring much joy to this poor family, because it undoubtedly added a burden to his father. It is not enough for a family of eight to live on a meager salary.

In winter, the cold north wind blows in from the riddled wooden wall, and the room is as cold as icehouse.

The food was pitiful, and a group of starving children were all skin and bones. Eating a full meal every day is their greatest wish.

The extreme poverty at home deprived Stevenson of the opportunity to study, but the flame of his thirst for knowledge never went out.

Because his father is busy at work, he can't go home for dinner on time. Little Stevenson often goes to the coal mine to deliver meals to his father. Every time he goes, he will carefully observe the huge steam engine. He stood by the boiler, looked at the blazing fire, and was fascinated by the rapidly rotating flywheel and the underground water bubbling out of the deep well.

Sometimes, he will walk around the steam engine several times and write down all the parts of the steam engine, such as boiler, cylinder, flywheel and so on.

He often thinks that when he grows up, he will also be a fireman and operate a steam engine.

Time flies, 14-year-old Stevenson went to the coal mine with his father as a trainee firefighter. The task given him by the boss is to refuel the machine.

It is not easy to work here. The loud noise from the steam engine will make people's eardrums ache. Soot and soot often make people cry. If you don't pay attention when you refuel, you will get greasy all over.

After a day's work, Stevenson is often covered in oil and his white face is too dirty to recognize.

Even so, he doesn't feel bitter, because he can keep company with the steam engine all day.

He was very happy to see the burning flame in the stove and listen to the roar of the machine. Although he was tired and sweaty, he refused to rest for a moment.

Interest is the best teacher. However, it is impossible for an illiterate to understand the working principle of a steam engine. Stevenson decided to study from scratch.

He works during the day and goes to night school in the mine with books in his arms at night. Usually, he always has books in his pocket. Whenever he is free, he takes out his books and studies eagerly.

After several years of hard study, he quickly mastered a lot of scientific knowledge and threw away the hat of illiteracy.

Especially about the professional theoretical knowledge of steam engines, he remembered it very firmly and knew the performance of various machines in the mine like the back of his hand.

One day, an important steam engine broke down in the coal mine. The mechanics have been busy for a long time, but they haven't found any problems yet. Fat mine owner was so angry that he swore:

"You losers usually eat and drink from the mine, but the machine is broken but can't be repaired!"

At this moment, Stevenson stood up. "Would you like me to have a try, sir?"

The mine owner nodded, fearing that the machine would be broken for a long time and the loss would be too great.

When the mechanics saw that this was Stevenson, a little fireman, they all laughed and said some sarcastic words:

"Hey, little fireman, you only deserve to refuel the machine. There is nothing we can do, don't bite off more than one can chew. "

Stevenson pretended not to hear, and then began to work.

He carefully removed the parts one by one, cleaned them with gauze, then found out the faulty parts according to his own understanding of the steam engine, and then skillfully installed all the parts.

After a busy day, Stevenson stood up and wiped his sweat with a towel, and then said to the mine owner, "The machine has been repaired, please try it!"

As soon as I started driving, the huge machine really boomed. The mine owner was overjoyed. Next to a few mechanics all stupefied, flushed.

Soon, a poster was posted in the mine, announcing the promotion of Stevenson, a young firefighter, as an engineer, when Stevenson was only 29 years old.