Transportation History Time Line

By I N A S A N I T Y
  • 4000 BCE

    Riding Animals

    Riding Animals
    Humans learned to use horses and donkeys for getting around.
  • 3500 BCE

    The Wheel

    The Wheel
    The wheel was invented in Iraq and the first wheel was made from wood.
  • 3100 BCE

    Sailboat

    Sailboat
    The sailing boat was invented by Egyptians while the Romans built roads across Europe.
  • 3000 BCE

    Camels

    Camels
    Camels are domesticated.

  • Turnpike Roads

    Turnpike Roads
    The first turnpike roads open. Turnpikes are privately owned and maintained but you have to pay to use them. Their name comes from an old word for a gate, pike. In towns the wealthy are carried by sedan chairs.

  • Bridgewater Canals

    Bridgewater Canals
    The Bridgwater Canal opens. Many more canals are dug in the late 18th and early 19th century.

  • Hot Air Balloon

    Hot Air Balloon
    The hot air balloon and the hydrogen balloon are invented.

  • Omnibuses

    Omnibuses
    Horse drawn omnibuses run in London

  • Railway

    Railway
    This is the great age of railway building. A network is built across Britain.

  • Underground Railway

    Underground Railway
    The first underground railway opens in London. On it carriages are pulled by steam trains.

  • Cars

    Cars
    The car is invented.

  • Traffic Meters

    Traffic Meters
    The first traffic meters are installed in the USA

  • Jet Service

    Jet Service
    The first passenger jet service starts

  • Hovercraft

    Hovercraft
    The hovercraft is invented by Christopher Cockerell.

  • Channel Tunnels

    Channel Tunnels
    The Channel Tunnel opens