The invention of railroads can be dated back as early as the 1550’s, wherein Germany used it to move greater loads with ease. They used wooden rails in the construction of this primitive counterpart of the iron railroads we have now. They discovered that it is easier to move horse-drawn carts over these wooden rails than in the dirt roads. This primitive railroad system was then referred to as Wagonways, literally meaning “way for wagons.
” In 1776, people then replaced these woods in the rails and the wheels on the cart, changing it to a tougher, longer lasting iron.The Wagonways then became Tramways, these changes evident among places in Europe. Here, the main effort is still in the horses, wherein they’re the ones pulling up these “coaches. ’ A major discovery is when the flanged wheels were invented.
William Jessup designed the first wagons and wheels, and introduced them sometime in 1789. The flanged wheel is for greater mobility and assurance for the coaches to stay on track. Because the main change Jessup made is a groove in the wheels that enable them to have a better grip on the tracks (Bellis, 2006).Then came the invention of steam engines, a major breakthrough in the part of railroads and railways. Thomas Savery, an engineer and an inventor as well, invented the ground-breaking steam engine in 1698.
This invention paved the way to many other things, since this became the basis of other inventions. Savery used the power of steam pressure to run his invention, thus acquiring the name Steam Engine. In 1803, Samuel Homfray invested on changing from horse-powered carts to vehicles with a steam engine on the tramways.Around that time, Richard Trevithick started on the planning and the construction of what will be the first steam engine locomotive that runs on a tramway. The first tramway locomotive run was on February 22, 1804, wherein it carried 10 tons of iron, 70 men and five extra wagons.
It run a course of 9 miles from the ironworks to a town in Wales, in less than 2 hours. Around 1821, the first ever passenger road locomotive was planned, constructed and patented. This was by the Englishman Julius Griffiths. The construction of what will be the first commercial railroad began in September 1825.This was by the Stockton and Darlington Railroad company.
Their target was to transport 450 passengers over 9 miles in just an hour. John Stevens, a military man considered to be the father of American railroads, gave the idea of having a circular track for steam locomotion. This gave way into making the first railroads in North America, wherein other places followed suit afterwards. Just lately, around 1960’s and 1970’s, the talk of possibly creating passenger vehicles traveling faster than conventional trains has been common.Even though the trains were modified and improved as time passes, people still considered of other countless possibilities.
This is thru high-speed technology that revolves around magnetic levitation or maglev. Thru this principle, people could travel faster and with much more ease and comfort. Through the course of time, railroads are witnesses to what we call as continuous cycle of change. The dream of yesterday is the reality of today. Yet, we still continue on dreaming, continually aspiring for a much different transportation on these railroads, just as we are aspiring for a better life (Jones, 1925).Understanding Railroads: effects on different aspects of life Transcending Time: Railroads of the Past, the Present, and the Future Who would ever think that what were wooden rails before would be as modern as electro magnetic rails today? Surely, the wooden planks that only add convenience in carrying wagons would become so technological that it could enable travel nearly unimaginable speeds.
The railroad’s first rudimentary discovery is because of the burden of carrying heavy wagons through a dirt road. By putting wooden planks as wooden ways for wagons, they were able to travel faster and easier.Because of this, having this wooden rails led to iron rails, which opened up a lot of possibilities for trains and locomotives. Railroads were able transcend time because it was able to survive and exists way back, about half a millennia ago.
It was able to survive by adapting through the current situation and it serves its papoose, to make people’s lives easier. Railroads were able to transcend time because they are flexible, wherein change is not a big deal for them. They are still useful today and to the coming days in the future (Wilburn, 1991).What’s in store for railroads in the near future? The railroad is the leading form of transportation all over the world. It can carry almost anything, anywhere the tracks lead them.
The question is, will the railroad stop running? For me, shown with all the possibilities and the resilience of the railroad, it will never cease running, it will never go obsolete. These railroads will continue to adapt thru time, blending with the present technologies, thus, showing the people that it will transcend time no matter what obstacles it would be facing.The economic impact of railroads The railroad is made for the purpose of carrying goods and passengers to and from a certain place. With this purpose, railroads helped a lot in boosting the economy, not only for the sake of the big companies, but also for the benefit of the masses. The railroad’s effect on the economy was a positive one. It gave the economy a lift, a boost.
There are a few people who took the risk in investing their money on what was an unstable field at that time, hoping for profit.It was then returned ten folds and this initial capital, made the industry to grow and spread, thus connecting different people and enabling them to conduct transactions faster, decreasing the barriers of distance. It connected places, enabling them to a wider array of trade possibilities (Fogel, 2001). People from far places which were almost isolated to other commercial areas were able to interact with other places.
The shipment of goods to distant markets was made possible, and people were able to go to places that would take them a lot of time to go.This opened a new light in businesses, wherein they would have a wider group of patrons and costumers. Railroad companies are the instigators of change in the modern business structure, like advertising, finance, banking and many more. Railroads were among the first industries that are of great significance to the world. This is because of the fact that it brought everyone closer together. During the rise of the railroads, it has been the breakthrough in mass transportation.
It was able to transfer large amount of goods and transport a lot of people in a faster, easier manner.Because of this, caravans of merchandise to other places became almost obsolete. As long as there’s a railroad, anyone can go there. Also, communication became faster, with delivery of mail from neighboring towns are easier, which leads us to another important aspect in which rail roads have great effect on (Overbey, 1982).
Railroads and Information Flow Railroads played a great part in the development of information transfer of the present. Because of railroads, mails were sent faster, without the need to use a horse to send a letter to some people in the neighboring towns.Not all people has access to a telegraph or telephone, so a printed message – a letter, is very much convenient. The railroads also paved way to modern day advertising, wherein at that time is mostly printed advertising. These is because an event, a service, or a product of a certain area can be printed and advertised in the next, increasing the number of customers, thus also affecting the economy.
News and information exchange was also improved because of the development of the railroad. People were able to know the latest happenings not only in their town but also in other towns.What was before a minor concern became an issue for a wider target audience. People wanted to know the latest on every town and thus news papers became very convenient, with the railroad as a means to disseminate these newspapers to other places (Jones, 1925).
Ideas and new discoveries are also disseminated through railroads. Inventions and new techniques could spread all over America and Europe, and also to the world. These railways are also the means of showing the success of new inventions, thus encouraging more people to discover and invent new things.After the railroads and locomotives, many other inventions came about because the scientists were able to convene with other great minds in order to create new things for the people.
Railroads are the couriers of mail for far away places, wherein fact, is the best means of transfer of information at that time. This also gave rise to entertainment and show business. Travel to places was easy so being prominent and famous is not far from possible. Theatrical performances and traveling circus entertainments became popular, because there are no distance barriers anymore.
Thus, this opens up for another aspect wherein trains have been responsible. That is the flourishing of the society. Railroads and the society: opening a doors for arts, entertainment and more Railroads are able to contribute a lot in shaping the society. Relationships between men were strengthen, wherein they are able to interact with people not only from their communities, but also in other places, which were hard to visit when there was no railroad yet.
Railroads also bring about the rise in arts and entertainment, which includes founding of museums, of theaters, and of circus caravans.Because of railroads, towns became open for visitors from other places. As man’s nature, we are usually fun loving and seeks out entertainment. Because of this, every place would want to showcase their towns by putting up museums, wherein you could see and know more about them, their history and their achievements.
Theaters and Movie Houses were also established in order to keep everyone entertained This brought new light to entertainment and show business. Actors and actresses became famous. This opened the way for other industries like advertisements, posters, and many more.People were more willing to go to other places than stay in their area. People came to cities to look for a job and the railway is sure a great help in taking them to where the work is – a commercialized city.
Jobs outside the cities were also made, because of the railroads. These jobs include working for transport of resources such as coal, ores, metals, fresh produces like vegetables and fruits, and mining for coal became in demand, because of the fact that coal is the main fuel for steam powered engines.Politics went into a change in phase after the railroads are build. It was able to unify towns and cities under one government, thus making legislation easier. Laws are easily monitored, and the politicians are now more able to visit their constituents even those from far places (Dixon, 1922).
Unintended consequences What the inventors of the railroads and trains didn’t think was the possible dangers that a could cause. The train or a locomotive is a massive vehicle, made up of mainly metal. It ways thousands of kilograms and usually runs relatively fast.When this massive body gains momentum, its fatal to get in its way (Talley, 1994). Train accidents, as one may say, is rare but is truly devastating.
This is because of its massive size and weight that when it collides with another body, say another train or another vehicle, it is really a disaster. There are a lot of efforts in order to avoid this devastating situation, but as we say it, accidents do happen ("Derail: Why Trains Crash", 1998). Executive Summary Through the past years, the rail roads of the world has met a lot of changes and overhauls.Starting from being wooden planks, and now as highly technological, electronic maglev metals, the railroad underwent such changes in order too adapt to the need of the people. The railroad is open for change in order to serve its purpose.
To serve the people, for transportation, and transfer of goods. But there is more in railroads than what meets the eye. Railroads were able to withstand the test of time. Until now, railroads are fully functional, useful for the people.
This is a proof that railroads transcends time. Railroads also play a great role in economics.It is a medium of trade, an aspect of finance and marketing. Advertising is also brought about by railways. It also is a big factor in the flow of information and the dissemination of new information. Railroads play a great role in spreading new discoveries in the field of engineering, medicine, and many more.
Also, it brought new possibilities in the society, like entertainment and movies, theater, museums and repositories. It also played a great part in politics and elections and so much more. But there are also consequences that arise from this discovery.There are great accidents which are caused by railways, proving the statement that if something goes wrong, accidents may happen. It could be concluded that the discovery of railroads really was by far, one of the most important occurrence that man has met of all times.
It gave rise to what we call as industrialization, giving people the opportunity to improve their lives, to invest in their future. It is true to its word that its word that it promises convenience to everyone’s lives, that it aims makes our lives a whole lot easier.
