John Steven - 1825 --- Colonel John Steven was an American lawyer, engineer and inventor who constructed the first steam locomotive to run on tracks in the United States and thus earned the title of "Father of American Railroads." His engine, named the "John Stevens" in honor of its builder, was 16 feet long. Its unique system of propulsion was similar to that used in today's mountain railroads which operate over terrain too steep to allow adhesion of the wheels directly to the rail. The engine's small steam boiler provided power to turn two gears, the lower of which engaged a rack between the running rails. This ingenious arrangement enabled the engine to achieve a speed of 12 miles per hour. Passengers sitting on benches attached over the rear wheels were carried on demonstration rides. The "John Stevens" worked so well that Stevens elevated a portion of his 630-foot circular track to prove that his engine could ascend a grade. It was tested successfully in 1825. Photo taken by Abhi at the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago in April 2013.