Industrial Revolution

Railways were a major breakthrough that were very important in the industrial revolution. They allowed for rapid transportation of raw materials and good and in tern increased productivity. This transport was relatively cheap as well as convenient. The railways aided in economic growth and helped move people as well as products.

• Starting in the 1760’s Abraham Darby laid the first iron plate ways
• In 1805 the first public railway was opened and a year late the first passenger railway was opened in Wales
• In 1808 Trevithick built the first locomotive called the “Catch-Me-Who-Can”

• The first underground railway tunnel was built under Liverpool in 1827
• In 1832, the first steam powered locomotive was opened in France
• 1840 was the year of the first railway excursion
• The first refrigerated coaches were introduced in 1851

• In 1879, the first electric train (developed by Von Seimen) operated in Berlin but it did not operate as a passenger train until 1881
• The first electric underground train began operation in 1890
• Sweden operated the first diesel electric train in 1912

For more information about the development of industrail revolutionary railroads, click here!

• Starting in the 1730’s, turnpike roads (toll roads) were beginning to be constructed
• Cugnot (1769) invented the steam propelled vehicle and Murdoch (1786) developed a steam vehicle designed for roads
• In 1812, the first horse drawn bus system was invented and implemented

• The first gas engine was used in 1860 (Lenior)
• Otto developed a four stroke engine in 1876
• 1899 was the year they began using gear boxes in Benz cars
• In 1908, Model T Ford began production

For more information regarding the development of road transportation during this period, click here!

By: Sarah De Bellis

References:

Ferrez, M. (1884). Railroad station in Minas Gerias 1884. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Railroad_station_in_minas_gerais_1884.jpg. Public Domain image.

Shipler, H. (1910). Ford T 1910. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1910Ford-T.jpg. Public Domain image.

The Open Door Team. (2014). History of Science and Technology. Retrieved from http://www.saburchill.com/HOS/index.html.

Unknown Author. (1890). Croydon Central Station. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Croydon_Central_Station_1.jpg. Public Domain image.

Unknown Author. (1890). London Underground. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:London_Underground_1890.jpg. Public Domain image.

Unknown Author. (c. 1890). London Tramways Horse Tram. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:London_Tramways_Horse_tram.jpg. Public Domain image.