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Railroad Expansion
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Transcontinental Railroad Completion
The Transcontinental Railroad was completed when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads drove the golden spike on May 10th, 1869. Less than 5 years after the Civil War tore the country in half the railroad was a new symbol of American Unity. The United States were now a navigable body of land available from coast to coast in 7 days. The next level of manifest destiny was completed, not only could a man travel from New York to San Francisco he could do it safely in a week. -
Pennsylvania Railroad World's Largest Corporation
The railroad expansion saw the rise of the world's largest corporation, the Pennsylvania Railroad. With over 30,000 employees and a net worth of 400 million in 1880 it took the collaboration of men over thousands of miles with diverse skill sets to grow such a large corporation. The work and dedication of these workers shaped the United States for the decades to come. The United States now had viable transportation for goods and people alike. -
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Invention of the Automobile
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Henry Ford Completes "Quadricycle"
Henry Ford completes his "Quadricycle" in his garage in 1896. A simple 2 cylinder engine that ran on pure ethanol and had 26 inch bicycle tires would be the spark for the American automobile industry. This model was one of three built by Ford and sold for $200. While simple in design this model would be the blueprint for the soon to be funded Model A. Henry Ford is truly one of America's most influential figures and a great inventor of the late 19th century. -
Ford Mortor Company Fills First Order
In 1903 after years of financial struggles and lack of deserved success for a truly societal shifting invention Henry Ford completed his first order. Chicago dentist Ernst Pfenning was delivered his $850 Red 2 cylinder Model A complete with backseat almost a week after he placed the order. Ford named each car by the next letter of the alphabet ,with some letters never seeing the street, Ford's next huge success would be the model T and would solidify his fortune. -
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Transportation Diversified
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Ocean Liners Bring Millions of immigrants to America
Ocean liners steamed across the Atlantic bringing millions of immigrants to the Unites States and Canada. Large ships such as the pictured Leviathan saw many passengers safely across the Atlantic ocean including being used as a military vessel in world war I. After being reconditioned in Virginia 1924 the Leviathan would continue to be a symbol of the growing American population through immigration and the ever quickening technology of transportation. -
NOLA Streetcars Start Continuous Operation
Although functioning in different capacities since 1835 New Orleans streetcars began continuous operation in 1924. According to the US department of the interior the saint Charles line in New Orleans is the oldest functioning streetcar line in the Unites States. Carrying more than 16 million passengers at its peak It was named a national landmark in 2014. The streetcars are still in operation today allowing passengers to commute in the restored but original wooden streetcars.
