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What Moved America Inspired Americans To Change
Changes in transportation caused Americans to change in many ways, affecting our daily lives, society and culture. It made our world smaller, bridging a wide variety of cultures into one society. -
Transcontinental Railroad celebrates completion on May 10, 1869 near Promontory, Utah.
Most people were accustomed to thinking North and South due to the Civil War and slavery. Now they could think in a different way - East and West. The transcontinental railroad enabled travel from coast-to-coast in a week instead of the six months it previously took and it was at a fraction of the cost. Telegraph lines were also installed as the tracks were laid so communication was faster. People, mail, produce along with a wide variety of products were moved more easily and efficiently. -
The Great Epizootic Event of 1872
The railroads revolutionized movement over distance, but the horse still had to move everything else on land; however, in less than three months in 1872, virtually every horse from coast-to-coast contracted flu, killing up to 10% of them. No horses to pull carriages, firefighting equipment, trolleys or wagons carrying goods created havoc and even food shortages. This didn’t just add to the economic decline of 1873, it planted the seed of needing a backup to the horse. -
Passing of the Horse Oldsmobile ad. Eil Olds markets his Curved Dash Oldsmobile against his biggest competitor - the horse, an animal he disliked from his childhood days on the farm.
In 1902 Eli Olds issued an advertisement titled the "Passing of the Horse" marketing his 1902 Curved Dash Automobile to be built in Detroit, Michigan. Having previously made cars running on steam and later electric batteries, Olds will now forever use the internal combustion engine running on gasoline, which will become the standard fuel for all cars. Culturally, driving wasn't considered a woman's sport; however, Olds promoted women driving in a time they had not yet gained the right to vote. -
Man's first powered flight by Orville Wright at Kitty Hawk, NC
Man’s first powered flight occurs on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, NC. The fascination with flight has captivated man for eons and balloons and gliders had been the extent of development but they were controlled by the wind. As the horseless carriage was coming into being, two brothers from Dayton, OH had the novel idea for another use of the internal combustion engine – putting it on a glider. To the astonishment of the world on December 17, 1903, man flew for the first time. -
Ford advertises prices for the new 1914 Model T that are lower..
Henry Ford perfects the moving production line at his Highland Park, MI plant on October 7, 1913 which improves production time, dramatically cuts costs & makes the Model T affordable to average Americans. The freedom and mobility lets people drive to work, expanding suburbs. Rural America is no longer isolated. Leisure time changes to social trips, joy rides and forming car clubs. Paved roads, gas stations and garages change the landscape. The speed makes for a new, exciting car racing culture. -
Indy 500 Driver Eddie Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker finished 10th at the 1914 Indy 500. (Years later he would own the track). The accomplished driver came a long way from losing his father when he was 12, dropping out of school to support his family. Soon ho got a job for the railroads, proved his mechanical ability and got him a start as a car mechanic, then mechanic on a racecar. Soon he got the chance to prove himself as a racecar driver. Visiting England sold him on joining the Army as a driver/mechanic upon to returning America. -
America's WWI Ace of Aces, Eddie Rickenbacker
The famous racecar driver enlisted in the military becoming a driver for Generals, and the opportunity for flight training. By the end of WWI Rickenbacker became America’s leading ace by shooting down 26 aircraft. Americans become captivated and enamored by the dogfights of WWI, making pilots the ultimate heroes and coolest people. Aviation starts to appeal to the public as the ultimate experience of freedom, mobility and adventure. This plants the seed for its advancement which changes America. -
Bessie Coleman receives her international pilot's license in France and returns to America.
Bessie Coleman returns to New York from France as the first female African American pilot. Inspired to fly by WWI pilots like Rickenbacker, Coleman would inspire African Americans to pursue aviation at barnstorming events across America; plus, she breaks stereotypical views held by white people then.
NEGRO AVIATRIX ARRIVES. (1922, Aug 14). New York Times (1857-1922) Retrieved from https://login.ezproxy.uta.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uta.edu/docview/99456414?accountid=7117 -
Bessie Coleman Dies
Bessie Coleman tragically dies when she is thrown out of the plane she is riding in and she falls to her death. More information about her life is available at: the Smithsonian Institute; [Link text]https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/women-in-aviation/coleman.cfm -
Ford Trimotor Model 5AT makes first Flight
On August 2, 1926 the Ford Trimotor model 5AT made its first flight flight from Ford Field in Detroit Michigan. This model was an improvement of the original that flew on June 11 and would be used by new air carriers for passenger service. This was the first, reliable aircraft suitable for air transport operations which changed society by starting the "air traveler." Also the start of business travel. Able to go long distances over geographic barriers, the world grew smaller. -
Lindbergh's solo flight from New York to Paris
After his famous New York to Paris flight on May 20, 1927, Lindberg goes on tour to promote aviation, "Lindbergh was seen by literally millions of people as he flew around the country," said Richard P. Hallion, historian for the Air Force and the author of a book on the Guggenheims. "Airmail usage exploded overnight as a result," and the public began to view airplanes as a viable means of travel. On August 12, 1927 Henry Ford flies his first (only) time with Lindberg in the Spirit of St. Louis. -
Henry Ford Flies for first time
On August 11, 1927, Henry Ford flew for the first and only time - with Charles Lindbergh in the Spirit of St. Louis at Ford Field in Detroit, MI.
The Log of the Spirit of St. Louis—Charles A. Lindbergh, Pilot ." Charles Lindbergh An American Aviator. Accessed July 30, 2017. http://www.charleslindbergh.com/history/log.asp . -
Former racecar driver and war ace becomes President of the Indy 500
Eddie Rickenbacker, the leading ace of WWI and former racecar driver who raced at the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana becomes the President of the racecourse.
"WAR ACE IS NAMED HEAD OF SPEEDWAY.". 1927 New York Times (1923-Current file), Sep 02. https://login.ezproxy.uta.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uta.edu/docview/104114253?accountid=7117. -
Henry Ford's accomplishments in aviation will place him in Aviation Hall of Fame
Not a real timeline date, but many of the accomplishments of Henry Ford in aviation will later place him in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. For trivia purpose, a list of accomplishments is provided.
Link texthttp://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/ford-henry/
