The Revolution Begins: Steam
Engines,Railroads, and Steamboats
Trevithick
created modern railroad "demonstrated his concept of locomotive (an engine that
moves under its own power) which was essentially a steam engine mounted on wheels"
In 1808 built a little circular railway in London, called Cath-Me-Who-Can”. Thought people
be thrilled to travel at fifteen miles per hour
Public stayed away because they thought is was danergous
Locomotive
Importance
“In 1755 James Watt set off from Glasgow, Scotland, to London, England, to become a maker of
scientific instruments. He traveled by horse, and the trip took twelve days. About a century later, a
passenger riding a railroad powered by steam engine could make the trip in about twelve hours” (pg.51).
“Transportation [was] a critical part of manufacturing” (pg.51).
Made when machines were ment to replace humans or
“animal muscle power”
The invention of steam-driven motors became a “reliable, high-speed transportation, in the form
of trains”
steam power machines were faster in speed than the animals
“Railroads were critical in advancing the Industrial Revolution. Without them, it would not have
been economical to transport coal to factories where steam-powered machines burned coal for
fuel. Railroads also made if faster and cheaper to transport raw materials and manufactured goods
to distant markets” (pg.50).