The man who started the industrial revolution was Richard Trevithick. He was born April 13, 1771, in Cornwall, England. He was one of England’s top mechanical engineers and is most commonly known for his invention of the steam locomotive in Wales in 1803. Although Richard’s new invention managed to pull over 10 tons of iron, it was extremely unreliable. Mr. Trevithick most likely didn’t realize the profound affect his new invention would have on the United States. (8)(9)
A new idea in a new country
The history of railroads in United States is almost as old as the nation itself. Beginning in the early 1800s, this incredible country of ours prospered into one of the most profitable superpowers in the world and continues to be today. Such prosperity would have been out of reach if it were not for the railroad system. In 1812, Colonel John Stevens first pitched the idea of building a railroad system in the United States. The first railroads ever built included a system where a horse pulled carriages and wagons down a track. This type of train at the time was …show more content…
For instance, one of the main reasons the Battle of Bull Run was won, was because of a collection of reinforcements transported by the railway system. As the Civil War made its way to the end, it was extremely apparent that there was a need to expand the railways. Not too long after the war ended, the first coast-to-coast railroad, commonly referred to the transcontinental railroad, was created. The Union Pacific Railroad Company underwent construction on the east coast, while the Central Pacific underwent construction in the west. On May 10, 1869, both companies met each other in Promontory Point, Utah. As time went on, many small railroad companies either went out of business or were absorbed by larger
A new idea in a new country
The history of railroads in United States is almost as old as the nation itself. Beginning in the early 1800s, this incredible country of ours prospered into one of the most profitable superpowers in the world and continues to be today. Such prosperity would have been out of reach if it were not for the railroad system. In 1812, Colonel John Stevens first pitched the idea of building a railroad system in the United States. The first railroads ever built included a system where a horse pulled carriages and wagons down a track. This type of train at the time was …show more content…
For instance, one of the main reasons the Battle of Bull Run was won, was because of a collection of reinforcements transported by the railway system. As the Civil War made its way to the end, it was extremely apparent that there was a need to expand the railways. Not too long after the war ended, the first coast-to-coast railroad, commonly referred to the transcontinental railroad, was created. The Union Pacific Railroad Company underwent construction on the east coast, while the Central Pacific underwent construction in the west. On May 10, 1869, both companies met each other in Promontory Point, Utah. As time went on, many small railroad companies either went out of business or were absorbed by larger