Effects of engineering innovation in transport on people's lives
CARS
- At first the car was not easily accesible and was resisted by the public due to being slow, noisy and expensive.
- The Model T Ford (1908) utilised a production line method of manufacture to make cheap and easily accessible cars.
- The development of Four wheel brakes on the Austin 7 (1922) made the car safer
- The further development and production of cars after the 1940s attracted people to the roads, allowing the rural areas and other far off regions to be linked with the cities.
- The Mini Cooper (1959) was a car that allowed plenty of room, and the car was targeted towards families and made a friendlier image.
- 1960-1970 brought about safety as a major issue and selling points with improvements in handling, braking and shell material/shape. Suspension and disc-brakes were major innovations.
- By now the car has become a household item and were sometimes compared as a status symbol.
- The Suez crisis raised fuel prices, leading to a boom in small cars and fuel efficiency research.
- Around the 1980s computer systems were introduced to cars, improving their reliability and safety.
- Currently in the 21st century, the car has many issues such as pollution and other environmental problems that are being tackled.
Bicycles
- Pedal powered velocipede (1839) greatly improved usability of the celeferie
- Penny Farthing allowed faster transport than the velocipede, but it was more dangerous
- Rover safety cycle 1885, safer transport with similar speed
- 1888 dunlop’s pneumatic tyres
- Early 1900s mass production of the bicycle
- Internal hub gearing, improved the bike as a form of transport
- High strength steel alloys (Reynolds 531), bikes became lighter
- Recumbent bicycles, better comfort
- Lightweight aluminum alloys and reliable derailleur gears
- 1950 Suez oil crisis, forced people to use bikes over cars
- Moulton bike sparked cycling craze in UK
- BMX, small wheels, off road racing
- 1980s rise of the mountain bike
Trains
- 19th century, steam train as an alternative to the horse and cart
- Tourism
- Trade
- 20th century, electric trains reduced pollution
- 1960s diesel train replacing steam train
- Less pollution, greater reliability, quicker times
- High speed trains
- Cut down on transport time for long distance
page revision: 2, last edited: 18 Feb 2021 03:22