Murdock, William (1754–1839)
Scottish engineer and pioneer of gas lighting. In 1792 he began experiments
to produce coal gas for lighting. He also
devised ways of purifying and washing the gas. In 1802 he used coal gas
to illuminate the exterior of a factory in the Soho area of Birmingham,
England, where he worked for Matthew Boulton
and James Watt. Murdock also invented
gears and values for use on steam engines.