Scotland has produced a long line of famous engineers over the years and many of them have been gifted in other fields as well.
One such engineer, Sir William Johnston Thomson, also excelled in business, building up one of Scotland's largest public transport systems and, as if that wasn't enough, became Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
He was born in Muirend, Baillieston, in 1881. When he was only 12, he left school and within a few years had managed to secure an engineering apprenticeship.
After serving his time he emerged as a qualified mechanic and went to work for the Arrol Johnston Motor Works at Paisley.
He quickly proved himself to be a gifted tradesman but he also developed exceptional organisational skills.
His employers soon recognised his leadership potential and promoted him to manage one of their departments before his 21st birthday.
By 1905, he had set up his own bus company in Edinburgh. With £12,000 capital, he started the Scottish Motor Traction Company.
Over the next four decades he worked hard to make sure his company became one of the top public transport organisations in the country.
In 1932 Thomson was elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh, a position he held until 1935.
During that time he was honoured with a knighthood for his services to industry and he was also given an honorary degree of LLD from Edinburgh University.
In 1949 the British Transport Commission acquired his SMT fleet, which by this time had grown to more than 3000 buses.
He died in 1949.
