The Revolution Begins: Steam Engines,Railroads, and Steamboats

The Revolution Begins: Steam Engines,Railroads, and Steamboats

1. Trevithick

   • created modern railroad "demonstrated his concept of locomotive (an engine that moves under its own power) which was essentially a steam engine mounted on wheels"
   • In 1808 built a little circular railway in London, called Cath-Me-Who-Can”. Thought people be thrilled to travel at fifteen miles per hour
     • Public stayed away because they thought is was danergous

2. Locomotive

   • Importance
     • “In 1755 James Watt set off from Glasgow, Scotland, to London, England, to become a maker of scientific instruments. He traveled by horse, and the trip took twelve days. About a century later, a passenger riding a railroad powered by steam engine could make the trip in about twelve hours” (pg.51).
     • “Transportation [was] a critical part of manufacturing” (pg.51).
     • Made when machines were ment to replace humans or “animal muscle power”
       • The invention of steam-driven motors became a “reliable, high-speed transportation, in the form of trains”
       • steam power machines were faster in speed than the animals
     • “Railroads were critical in advancing the Industrial Revolution. Without them, it would not have been economical to transport coal to factories where steam-powered machines burned coal for fuel. Railroads also made if faster and cheaper to transport raw materials and manufactured goods to distant markets” (pg.50).