Peter Cooper

Peter Cooper (February 12, 1791 – April 4, 1883) was an American industrialist, inventor, philanthropist, and politician. He designed and built the first American steam locomotive, the Tom Thumb steam engine.

Cooper began tinkering at a young age while working in various positions in New York City. He purchased a glue factory in 1821 and used that factory's profits to found the Canton Iron Works, where he earned even larger profits by assembling the Tom Thumb. Cooper's success as a businessman and inventor continued over the ensuing decades, and he became the first mill operator to successfully use anthracite coal to puddle iron. 

He also developed numerous patents for products such as gelatin and participated in the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable.

Cooper died on April 4, 1883, at the age of 92 and is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

The Tom Thumb

Although steam locomotives existed elsewhere in the world, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) originally relied on horses to pull its passenger and freight trains.

In 1830, inventor and businessman Peter Cooper developed and built a small coal-burning steam locomotive that was suitable for the B&O’s planned right of way and track, then from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills, MD. This demonstration locomotive featured an upright boiler, short wheelbase, and geared drive. On August 28, 1830, Peter Cooper’s locomotive carried the B&O directors in a passenger car to Ellicott’s Mills. To the amazement of the passengers, the locomotive traveled at an impressive speed of 10-14 miles per hour. 

The locomotive was later given the name “Tom Thumb” because of its small size and weight. The “Tom Thumb” has been known as the first successful American steam locomotive. It hauled passengers until at least March 1831 but was never placed into regular service. The “Tom Thumb” was salvaged for parts in 1834. 

According to legend, the “Tom Thumb” entered a famous race with a horse-drawn car while returning from a trip from Ellicott’s Mills in August 1830. The locomotive was well ahead of the horse-drawn car when the blower belt came off the pulley, causing the engine to lose its steam. Peter Cooper tried to fix the engine belt, but it was too late to overtake the horse. Although the legend is a staple of American folklore, it was never substantiated through documentation.