18th-century Engineer Quotes

James Watt

George Stephenson

Robert Fulton

Lazare Carnot

Matthew Boulton

George Cayley

David Mushet

When once the idea of the separate condensation was started, all these improvements followed as corollaries in quick succession, so that in the course of one or two days the invention was thus far complete in my mind, and I immediately set about an experiment to verify it practically.

I am well convinced that Aerial Navigation will form a most prominent feature in the progress of civilization.

To you, of right, these pages must be inscribed, the fountain of their best thoughts, not as mere praise, but for the instruction of others, to record the charm of perfect companionship, proved by your example; the instinctive homage even of brutes before the magic of an amiable and generous heart, without a selfish trace... Were all hearts tuned like yours, an appeal to human justice would not be needed: — Then to your name a fitter title might be inscribed — the Wrongs of Animals ceased for ever, the dubious vestiges of Eden might become the certain foot-prints of our dialy practice; and cruelty and suffering known no more.

"Ha! Boulton," said the king. "It is long since we have seen you at court. Pray, what business are you now engaged in?" "I am engaged, your Majesty, in the production of a commodity which is the desire of kings." "And what is that? What is that?" "POWER, your majesty!"

Matthew Boulton

In a free country there is much clamor with little suffering; in a despotic state there is little complaint, but much grievance.

As the component parts of all new machines may be said to be old[,] it is a nice discriminating judgment, which discovers that a particular arrangement will produce a new and desired effect.... Therefore, the mechanic should sit down among levers, screws, wedges, wheels, etc. like a poet among the letters of the alphabet, considering them as the exhibition of his thoughts; in which a new arrangement transmits a new idea to the world.

Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man.

Thomas Tredgold

To tell you the truth although it would put £500 in my pockets to specify my own patent rails, I cannot do so after the experience I have had.

George Stephenson