While a boy in
Sweden, he made saw mills and pumping engines, with tools
invented by himself. He learnt to draw, and his mechanical
career began. When only twelve years old, he was appointed a
cadet in the Swedish corps of mechanical engineers, and in the
following year he was put in charge of a section of the Gotha
Ship Canal, then under construction. Arrived at manhood,
Ericsson went over to England, the great centre of mechanical
industry. He was then twenty-three years old. He entered into
partnership with John Braithwaite, and with him constructed the
Novelty, which took part in the locomotive competition at
Rainhill on the 6th October, 1829. The prize was awarded to
Stephenson's Rocket on the 14th; but it was acknowledged by The
Times of the day that the Novelty was Stephenson's sharpest
competitor.
Ericsson had a wonderfully inventive brain, a determined purpose,
and a great capacity for work. When a want was felt, he was
immediately ready with an invention. The records of the Patent
Office show his incessant activity. He invented pumping engines,
steam engines, fire engines, and caloric engines. His first
patent for a "reciprocating propeller" was taken out in October
1834. To exhibit its action, he had a small boat constructed of
only about two feet long. It was propelled by means of a screw;
and was shown at work in a circular bath in London.
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