The Newcastle colliery steam engine 'Puffing Billy' was an important influence on inventor George Stephenson, who lived locally, and its success was a key factor in promoting the use of steam locomotives by other collieries in north-eastern England.
It also entered the language as a metaphor for an energetic traveller, and phrases like "puffing like Billy-o" and "running like Billy-o" are thought to derive from the locomotive's name.
In 1952 British light music composer Edward White wrote a melody named after the locomotive. The piece became ubiquitous in British media, being used on BBC Light Programme's 'Children's Favourites', a radio request programme, from 1952 to 1966 & also appearing in numerous commercials and radio shows.
In 1952 British light music composer Edward White wrote a melody named after the locomotive. The piece became ubiquitous in British media, being used on BBC Light Programme's 'Children's Favourites', a radio request programme, from 1952 to 1966 & also appearing in numerous commercials and radio shows.
No comments:
Post a Comment