2 Streaming ahead

Chapter 2 Steaming ahead In the 1700s, steam engines were invented. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot tried using one to power a cart. It worked, but the heavy engine almost slowed him to a halt.

18世纪，人们发明了蒸汽机。 尼古拉斯-约瑟夫·古诺尝试用一个来驱动一辆手推车。 这招管用，但沉重的引擎几乎让他停了下来。

Thirty years later, Richard Trevithick had a different idea. He used a steam engine to pull a wagon along an iron track- and invented the train. His friend, Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, was very impressed. But he thought a vehicle that worked on roads would be even better.

三十年后，理查德·特雷维西克有了不同的想法。 他用蒸汽机在铁轨上拉着马车，于是他发明了火车。 他的朋友格尔兹沃西·格尼爵士对此印象深刻。 但他认为一辆能在公路上行驶的汽车会更好。

Gurney designed a steam passenger coach that didn't need tracks. On a flat road, it went at 24 km (15 miles) per hour. Uphill, it went very slowly...

格尼设计了一种不需要轨道的蒸汽客车。 在平坦的道路上，它以每小时24公里（15英里）的速度行驶。 上坡时，它走得很慢……

...and downhill, it almost ran away. I can't stop! As people quickly found out, steam vehicles were hard to control and very easy to crash.

…下坡时，它差点跑掉。 我停不下来！人们很快就发现，蒸汽汽车很难控制，而且很容易撞车。