|
|
|
|
|
|
![]()
|
|
|
Jump
to LAND: 1960-1999 |
|
|
1892
JINRIKISHA
At
the end of the 19th century, a "human horse" ran between the shafts of the jinrikisha,
a "taxi-cart" popular in Japan and other Asian countries. The runner pulled
their "rickshaws", as termed by the European tourists, as far as 48km a day.
In many cities, the jinrikisha was banned because people felt it was wrong to
use people like animals.
1895
ELECTRIC
LOCOMOTIVE
The
first main-line railway to use electric trains was the Baltimore and Ohio in
the USA. 6.5km of track was converted to electric power as smoke from steam
locomotives was a nuisance. The locomotives pulling the train drew their current
from a rigid rail running overhead.
1897
STEAM
CAR
In
the early history of motoring, steam and petrol cars were rivals. The "Locomobile"
was a popular and successful commercial steam car that was built by the Stanley
brothers of Massachusettes, USA. Although it consumed 4.5 litres of water per
mile, and took 30 minutes to get up steam on cold days, more than 5000 were
sold.
1901
ELECTRIC
TRAM
For
millions of Britian's city dwellers, electric trams provided a faster and cheaper
alternative to the horse-drawn bus or tram. Electric trams got their power form
overhead cables, and did not pollute the street as horses or motor vehicles
did. Most electric trams ran on rails embedded in the road.
1903
HARLEY
DAVIDSON (Motorcycles)
Motorcycles
had already taken their modern shape when William Harley and the three Davidson
brothers began making them in Wisconsin, USA, 1903. Motorcycles were more affordable
than cars, and the Harley-Davidson machines, such as the single cylinder Silent
Gray Fellow of 1912 (top speed 72km/h), were soon contributing to a boom in
sales.
1908
FORD
MODEL T
First
sold in the USA, 1908, Henry Ford's Model T was reliable, sturdy and easy to
operate. In 1913, it became the first car to be mass-produced on a moving assembly
line. Every 93 minutes, one car could be completed. At the peak of production,
up to 1000 cars left the factory each day, significantly lowering the price
to a level ordinary people could afford. It was nicknamed the "Tin Lizzie" with
a top speed of 70 km/h (45mph).
|
|
1916
TANK
During
World War I, British and French engineers invented armoured vehicles able to
cross rough ground by laying down their own metal "tracks" and by picking up
behind them in a cycle. To hide its real purpose from the enemy, the British
referred to it as a water tank, and the name has stuck.
1928
MOTO GUZZI 500S
Motorcycles were most popular during the 1920s and 1930s, when they met the
needs of many who could not afford a car. The Italian Moto Guzzi company was
a leading manufacturer of motorcycles in 1920s. The design of the 500 cc single-cylinder
engine mounted horizontally was so advanced that it stayed in production for
over 50 years. The S model was one of the more basic ones.
1931
INTERCITY
BUS
Improved
roads in the USA led to establishment of several intercity bus routes. By 1931,
the Greyhound bus companies had a 65000-km network linking many cities and scenic
spots in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Since the 1930s, intercity buses have been
a comfortable and inexpensive form of public transport over long distances.
Go on to Trends
1960-1999 for background info
Or Jump directly to Land: 1960-1999