As noted before (see
https://douglasadowning.wordpress.com/2017/08/11/recommended-reading-the-rise-and-fall-of-american-growth/
Robert Gordon’s book The Rise
and Fall of American Growth
is a tremendous resorce providing
data on how life has changed
since 1870. One major change
involves railroads.
A person living in 1810 AD could
travel no faster than a person
living in 1810 BC. Speeds were limited
to the speed of walking or horse-riding (or
the speed of wind and oars on water).
19th century canal boats travelled
four miles per hour, and stagecoaches
at five or six mile per hour (p138).
Frozen lakes and rivers
prevented winter water travel
in some parts of the
country)(p 135).
Railroads fundamentally changed the
ability to move people and things.
However, there still was plenty
of room for improvement after the
first trains were introduced.
Early train speeds were typically
less than 30 miles per hour
(p 138), but the speed of
intercity rail travel tripled
between 1870 and 1940 (page 132).
Learning history is essential to
appreciate the significance of these
changes.
However, steam locomotives did not
work well for intracity travel (more
on that next time).
Recommended historical experience:
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad and
museum (see
http://mtrainierrailroad.com/
……………..
–Douglas Downing
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