Transportation
Transportation
The way that people have travelled has become increasingly more efficient from the time that my grandparents were my age to now. Air travel has made cross-continental travel a viable possibility for millions across the world and automobiles have allowed for efficient individual transportation for the average person in the US. However, some methods of transportation have remained the same, such as railroads, ships, and buses.
From bikes...
to cars...
to planes!
The Past
Although the first car had been invented before my grandparents’ era, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that they became widely used. During their time, more common methods of transportation included tramcars, buses, and trains.
Rails
Railroads were invented in Great Britain and the US developed its own railroad system throughout the late 1800s. By the turn of the century, the transcontinental railroad had been fully established in the United States. Although railroads were still relied on throughout the 1900s, their usage slowly declined with the use of automobiles and planes increasing.
Cars
Although steam-powered cars had existed in the US prior to the 1900s, it wasn’t until Henry Ford developed the Model T in 1908 that cars became widely available to the general public. During my grandparents’ era, cars were becoming increasingly more popular, and today, cars have become more essential than any other form of transportation.
Planes
The Wright brothers flew the first manned airplane in 1903, and in the 1950s, the first commercial flight carried passengers. Today, air travel is available to the general public and is utilized by businessmen, politicians, and families looking for a vacation spot. Flight has even extended to outer space, expanding the possibilities for the future.
The Present
Today, cars are the driving force in modern transportation. Get it, driving? Air travel has also expanded, allowing for international travel to be much faster and more accessible than before. Trains, trucks, and buses are also relied on for transportation of goods and long distance journeys.
The Future
Self-driving cars
Elimination of traffic lights
Faster transportation
Electric-powered vehicles
Fewer traffic accidents
Reduced environmental impact