Ricahrd Trevithick Historical Figure Nationality: Britain Date of Birth: 1771 Date of Death: 1833 Cause of Death: Pneumonia Occupation: Inventor, Engineer Turtledove Appearances: A Different Flesh POD: C. 2.5-1.3 million years ago; Relevant POD: 1492. Appearance(s): "The Iron Elephant" Nationality: Federated Commonwealths of America Date of Birth: 1750? Date of Death: Unrevealed Occupation: Inventor

Richard Trevithick (1771 –1833) was a British inventor. His most significant success was the high pressure and he was also the builder of the first full-scale working railway . On 21 February 1804 the world's first locomotive-hauled railway journey took place as Trevithick's unnamed hauled a train along the of the ironworks, near in Wales.

Richard Trevithick in A Different Flesh

Richard Trevithick was an inventor from Boston, Plymouth Commonwealth. He and his brother developed a steam-powered Iron Elephant, a device designed to replace the teams of hairy elephants that made the railroads of the Federated Commonwealths of America run.

In 1782, Trevithick visited the town of Springfield to show his Iron Elephant off. There he was challenged to a race by elephant-driver Prem Chand. The finish line was Carthage.

While Chand and his team of hair elephants maintained a lead for the first day, Trevithick overtook Chand when the team stopped to rest for the night. However, on the second day, the Iron Elephant fell into a trap laid by a band of wild sims. The sims did not understand that the Iron Elephant was not suitable prey, but they were able to kill some of the men in the engine. Trevithick survived with a broken arm. Chand and his team arrived just in time, helping to drive the sims off. Trevithick conceded victory to Chand, although Chand realized Trevithick's engine was the way of the future.

See: Inconsistencies in Turtledove's Work

v · d · e A Different Flesh Stories Vilest Beast • And So To Bed • Around the Salt Lick • The Iron Elephant • Though the Heavens Fall • Trapping Run • Freedom POV Characters Edward Wingfield • Samuel Pepys • Thomas Kenton • Prem Chand • Jeremiah Gillen • Henry Quick • Ken Dixon • Peter Howard • Matt Secondary Characters Anne Wingfield • Joanna Wingfield • Allan Cooper • Henry Dale • Caleb Lucas • Elizabeth Pepys • Tom • Peg • Charles • Paul Tilak • Richard Trevithick • Charles Gillen • Alfred Douglas • Zachary Hayes • Martin • Sal • Caesar • Melody Porter Geography Federated Commonwealths of America