George Stephenson was not the first person to construct either alocomotive or a tramway. Both were already in use, in more or lessrude forms, at several collieries. But he WAS the first person tobring the two to such a pitch of perfection, that what had been atfirst a mere clumsy mining contrivance, became developed into asmooth and easy iron highway for the rapid and convenientconveyance of goods and passengers over immense distances. 0fcourse, this great invention, like all other great inventions, wasnot the work of one day or one man. Many previous heads had helpedto prepare the way for George Stephenson; and George Stephensonhimself had been working at the subject for many weeks before heeven reached the first stage of realized endeavour. As early as1814 he constructed his first locomotive at Killingworth colliery;it was not until 1822 that he laid the first rail of his firstlarge line, the Stockton and Darlington Railway.