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