The Birth of American Steam Locomotive

What was the first American-built steam locomotive named?

a. Tom Horne

b. The Tom Jones

c. Tommy Baha

d. Tom Thumb

Answer:

The correct answer is D. Tom Thumb

Peter Cooper designed and built the first American-built steam locomotive, known as the Tom Thumb, for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Although it lost its first race against a horse-drawn train, this demonstration was enough to showcase the potential of steam technology.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, founded in 1827, was able to enhance its competitiveness against canal and river shipping by adopting steam locomotives. This milestone was made possible by innovators like Peter Cooper, whose contributions helped shape the future of transportation in America.