It is possible that he may have there derived, from his experiments, the first idea of Gas as an illuminant.
Murdock is also said to have made a wooden horse, worked by mechanical power, which was the wonder of the district.

On this mechanical horse he rode to the village of Cumnock, about two miles distant.

His father's name is, however, associated with his own in the production of this machine.

Old John Murdock had a reputation for intelligence and skill of no ordinary kind.

When at Carron ironworks, in 1760, he had a pinton cast after a pattern which he had prepared.