Who invented the first steam locomotive?
George Stephenson is considered to be the inventor of the first steam locomotive engine for railways. Richard Trevithick’s invention is considered the first tramway locomotive, however, it was a road locomotive, designed for a road and not for a railroad. Steam locomotives dominated rail traction from the mid 19th century until the mid 20th century, after which they were superseded by diesel and electric locomotives. The need to find alternative sources of power as well as new technology and faster way to travel paved the way to the design of new and improved locomotives. This in a way led to the obsolesence of the steam locomotives.
