Murdock was a central figure of the English Industrial Revolution. His renowned mechanical ability probably had its origin in his early exposure to his family's milling business; his father was involved in casting the first iron-toothed gear in Scotland. In 1777, Murdock went south to look for a job with Boulton & Watt, a partnership that was selling James Watt 's new steam engines. During the job interview, Matthew Boulton noticed that Murdock was nervously handling a fine piece of woodwork that he had brought with him. Boulton recognized Murdock's talent and hired him on the spot.

Murdock entered the business as a foreman, supervising the installation of engines in tin mines in southwest England. Besides improving the engines being installed, he made a remarkable three-wheeled steam-engine "carriage " that reached speeds of seven miles per hour (11 kph) in 1784. Although Murdock's ideas were further developed by Richard Trevithick, Watt controlled the...