Letter: Rocket science
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: As every schoolboy knows the steam locomotive was invented by Richard Trevithick in 1804, and so your story on George Stephenson's claim to fame ("Rail historians give Stephenson the rocket", 11 September) rather misses the point.
Stephenson was "so important to our heritage" because of his creation of the role of the railway engineer, taking responsibility for all aspects of a line's construction and operation.
That he adopted and adapted the work of his predecessors as locomotive engineers, that he made some mistakes in the new territory of railway building and that he was eventually surpassed in brilliance by his son Robert - all these charges made by those indulging in the fashionable practice of so-called "myth-debunking" do nothing to undermine his contribution to Britain's - and the world's - industrial development.
GORDON DUFF
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments