Transportation
Innovations in transportation in the 19th Century included sleek and speedy sailing ships known as clippers and steamships that eliminated a sailor's dependence on the wind. Steam locomotives made fast overland travel possible. Other milestones in transportation included the building of railroads, canals, steel bridges, and astonishing wonders of the age, enormous suspension bridges.
The National Road, America's First Major Highway
The National Road was constructed from western Maryland to Ohio in the early decades of the 19th century, and was the forerunner of the federal highway system. The original plan was to make travel to the west, especially the new state of Ohio, practical. The road eventually reached Indiana, and was eventually modernized as part of the national highway system in the 20th century.
The National Road was constructed from western Maryland to Ohio in the early decades of the 19th century, and was the forerunner of the federal highway system. The original plan was to make travel to the west, especially the new state of Ohio, practical. The road eventually reached Indiana, and was eventually modernized as part of the national highway system in the 20th century.
Ships, Champagne, and Superstition
The tradition of christening news ships by breaking a bottle of champagne against the bow developed in the 19th century. By the late 1800s, ship christenings were elaborate public events, attended by many thousands. It was considered extremely important that the champagne bottle break on the first attempt, or the ship would be considered unlucky.
The tradition of christening news ships by breaking a bottle of champagne against the bow developed in the 19th century. By the late 1800s, ship christenings were elaborate public events, attended by many thousands. It was considered extremely important that the champagne bottle break on the first attempt, or the ship would be considered unlucky.