Question

How has the system of transportation evolved over the years? What philosophies have guided its development? Have things been changing recently? How is this system likely to evolve in the coming years?

Answer 1

We have had to slowly but surely, painstakingly evolve our means of transportation to where it is today.

By 3500 BC, we began using wheeled carts and river boats. By 3100 BC, we tamed horses to assist our way. By 2000 BC, we built chariots. By 600 BC, we built wagons. By 332 BC, we built submersibles. By 312 BC, we built miles of paved roads. By 236 BC, we constructed our first elevators. By 214 BC, we built canals. By 200 BC, we constructed manned kites to fly.

During the middle ages in the 800s, we paved streets with tar.

During the 13th century, by the late 1200s, we invented sky-flying rockets.

During the 15th century, by the later 1400s, we built advanced sailing ships to cross entire oceans.

During the 16th century, we began using horse-powered rails of wood and stone.

During the 17th century, by 1620, we launched the first oar-propelled submarine. By 1662, we invented the horse-drawn bus. By 1672, we built the first steam-powered car.

During the 18th century, by 1740, we invented the foot-and-hand-powered carriage. By 1769, we experimented with the steam-driven artillery tractor. By 1760, we used iron rails. By 1776, we propelled submarines by screws. By 1783, we launched the first hot air and hydrogen balloons. By 1784, we built a steam carriage.

During the 19th century, by 1801, we ran steam road locomotives. By 1803, we ran commercial steam carriages and steamboats. By 1804, we built steam-powered railway locomotives and amphibious vehicles. By 1807, we used hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines in boats and road vehicles. By 1816, we invented bicycles. By 1820, we used steam locomotives on rails. By 1821, we used steam-powered monorails. By 1825, we began using steam-powered passenger carriages. By 1838, we built the first transatlantic steamship. By 1852, we invented the elevator. By 1853, we built aircraft gliders. By 1862, we made gasoline engine automobiles. By 1867, we began using motorcycles. By 1880, we built electric elevators. By 1896, we built electric escalators. By 1897, we had the steam turbine and electric bicycle.

During the 20th century, by 1900, we built airships. By 1903, we flew motor-driven airplanes and sailed in diesel engine canal boats. By 1908, we drove gas engine automobiles. By 1911, we launched diesel engine driven ships. By 1912, we launched liquid-fueled rockets. By 1935, we built DC-3 transport aircrafts. By 1939, we built jet engine-powered aircrafts. By 1942, we launched V2 rockets. By 1947, we had supersonic manned flights. By 1955, we had nuclear-powered submarines. By 1957, we launched a man made satellite into orbit — Sputnik 1, built container ships and flew commercial Boeing 707s. By 1961, we launched the first manned space mission orbiting the Earth. By 1969, we flew Boeing 747 wide body airliners and made the first manned moon landing — Apollo 11. By 1971, we launched the first space station. By 1976, we flew the supersonic concord passenger jet. By 1981, we flew the Space Shuttle. By 1994, the channel tunnel opened.

During the 21st century, by 2001, we launched the first self-balancing personal transport. By 2004, we operated commercial high-speed Maglev trains and launched the first suborbital space flight — SpaceShipOne. By 2012, we have now probed and viewed beyond the edge of our solar system with Voyager 1 spacecraft.

It is our curiosity and contant quest for awareness to explore conquer the world .The history of our evolving transportation and the mystery of its future will be in our hands.