The Transportation Revolution The Impact of the Steam Engine

The Transportation Revolution A period of rapid growth in the speed and convenience of travel because of new methods of transportation Created a boom in business due to reducing shipping time and cost This is all due to the creation of the steamboat and steam-powered trains

The Steamboat Era Steam powered boats created in 1700s, but only used globally in the 1800s. Robert Fulton 1st full-sized steamboat called the Clermont Well-suited for river travel Could travel upstream

Gibbons v. Ogden Supreme Court Case in 1824 Federal government could regulate trade on waterways This allowed for more trading and shipping to more states Grew the economy

American Railroads Peter Cooper created the first powerful steam engine locomotive in 1830 Called the Tom Thumb By 1840, 2800 miles of railroad track had been laid in the US 1860: 30,000 miles of track Major boost to the economy Trains could haul more freight

Other Uses for Trains People used them for Travel Created Times Zones Was much faster, but still dangerous Created Times Zones

A New Fuel At the beginning of the Transportation Revolution, wood was the main fuel for the engines Once trains became more powerful, they required at higher burning fuel Coal became the major fuel for trains ½ a ton of coal produce the same energy as two tons of wood and half the cost This created a major boom in the coal business

Exit Slip In what ways did the steam engine impact the United States? Provide at least 2 examples. (Complete Sentences)