Technology and Psychology
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Over the past hundreds of years, technology as we see it today was nothing compared to how it use to be. We’ve come so far from these technological advances, that the world we live in today is dependent on them. We take these advances for granted. Imagine not being able to drive your car to work or being able to get on a plane to go visit family. What if you couldn’t pick up a phone to call your friend for evening plans or just to say hi. These are every day mobility’s that millions of people across the world depend on. So without these amazing technological advances, where would we be and how would we function?
Transportation was a HUGE upcoming in American History. Throughout this time period is when we were introduced to many of the mobility’s that we use every day!
“The road must be built, and you are the man to do it. Take hold of it yourself. By building the Union Pacific, you will be the remembered man of your generation.”– President Abraham Lincoln |
The Transcontinental Railroad (1869)
In 1869 the final and finished product of the Transcontinental Railroad was here! This was only the beginning of states being able to buy and sell goods from each other that would turn into one of the greatest technological advances in history. The Transcontinental Railroad had long been a dream for people living in the American West. This is one of the biggest advances America had ever seen that benefited everyone. http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/transcontinental-railroad
FUN FACT:
- Before the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, it cost nearly $1,000 dollars to travel across the country. After the railroad was completed, the price dropped to $150 dollars.
Today, we use railroads to haul loads of goods, people, and other various items across the world. Just think about how long it would take us to travel and receive products without the use of trains. Traveling by train is also a much more cost effective method of travel. Little did Richard Trevithick (the creator of the first train cart in 1804) know, that his invention would BLOW up into what it is today and know how dependent we are on it.
“The most successful men in the end are those whose success is the result of steady accretion.” – Alexander Graham Bell
The Telephone (1876)
Just when we thought the Transcontinental Railroad was great, we were introduced into // Alexander Graham Bell’s creation of the telephone in 1876! Now, people were able to communicate on a whole new level. Instead of waiting days and days for a letter to arrive, it was as easy as picking up the telephone and the operator plugged you right into wherever you needed! THIS IS AWESOME! Now railroads can communicate with one another, plan things out better, and schedule. This method of communication is a blessing today because people don’t function correct without having a phone in there hand. (I know I sure don’t.) http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/alexander-graham-bell
FUN FACT:
- Though he is credited with its invention, Alexander Graham Bell refused to have a telephone in his study, fearing it would distract him from his scientific work.
Alexander Graham Bell’s invention turned into a world wide tool used everyday by everyone. If only he could see what a telephone has turned into now a days… It’s defiantly something that we will use forever and is a quick way to communicate.
“My first customer was a lunatic. My second had a death wish.”
– Karl Benz
As time goes on, we are introduced to even more amazing inventions that have benefited the world. From communication to transportation. But… the railroad wasn’t the only amazing transportation advances in the 1800’s. Something just as amazing and even better was born. Something that individuals could own and self travel.
The Automobile (1886)
In 1886 the first petrol or gasoline powered automobile the Benz Patent-Motorwagen was invented by Karl Benz. This is a HUGE change in the game during the 1800’s! Now, families are able to purchase an automobile and self travel, drive, and commute instead of waiting for a train. This makes traveling much easier on everyday people who need transportation. Families can now be self dependent and not have to worry about a train schedule or someone else. Cars have transformed so much over the years. So many different makes and models that have been created. Luxury, looks, speed, etc. We use cars every single day to go to work, travel, joy ride, etc. Cars are something that will never get old in today’s world because we are dependent on them. I couldn’t even imagine not having a vehicle to get me from point A to point B. So this was another huge invention that in this time period, still are used daily and are necessary. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbenz.htm
Fun Fact:
- Karl Benz wife took the first ever intercity car road trip, using one of his cars.
“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air.”
– The Wright brothers
During this time period, we’ve experienced some of the most beneficial technological advances that the world has ever seen! From a railroad, to a telephone, and an automobile, things are just becoming better and better for everyday men and women. These inventions are allowing people to live more comfortable and reliable. But… there is one more that I need to share. One that has allowed us to travel internationally through the clouds. Something that today, we benefit most from.
The Airplane (1903)
This is by far one of the most exciting inventions in history to me! The first (successful) Airplane in 1903. Near Kitty Hawk, Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft. This is only the start of a world wide creation. Much later, people are able to board flights to other cities, states, countries. Today, the airplane has advanced into SO many different models with all different specialties and advancements. Just like the railroad, we are able to send and trade goods across the country, but now, internationally. This is such an improvement in the 1800’s that I wish they could see today how much things have changed. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-airplane-flies
Fun Fact:
Their father partly disagreed with the brothers, he once said this, “It is impossible for men in the future to fly like birds. Flying is reserved for the angels. Do not mention that again lest you be guilty of blasphemy.”
Conclusion:
Between 1866 and 1914, we experienced some of the GREATEST inventions that the world has ever seen. Today, we still benefit from each and every single one of them. I think that these advances are brilliant and amazing. We’ve come so far from these, yet they are the base and reasons behind what we have today. I think everyone should appreciate these inventions and be so thankful for them. Because of them, our world functions smoothly.
madisoncmatz 