| Common Era |
Event |
|
| 370 |
Ship propelled by paddle wheels, unknown Latin author of DE RUBUS BELLICUS. |
72 |
| 1200 |
Cogs (single-masted merchant ships) built for northern trade. (Europe) |
72 |
| 1400 - 1513 |
Rapid evolution of full-rigged ship from a one-mast cog with square sail to four-mast galleon with bowsprit. (Atlantic Ocean) |
72 |
| 1435 |
Ship called 'scraper' dredges harbor channel. (Dutch, Maiddelburg) |
72 |
| 1525 - 1559 |
Railways used in mining to move coal from mine to port: hand-pushed wagons on wooden tracks used. (Europe, Britain) |
74 |
| 1620 |
First successful submarine demonstrated on the Thames River. (Cornelius van Drebbel, Britain) |
73 |
| 1620 - 1799 |
Coal mining inspires development of rail transportation (wains): leads to improved pump technology. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1687 |
ASTRONOMIA EUROPAEA describes wheeled vehicle driven by steam turbine. (Ferdinand Verbiest, China) |
75 |
| 1750 |
Stagecoaches in regular service. (Britain) |
75 |
| 1769 - 1770 |
Steam road wagon built 1769: three-wheeled artillery tractor driven by steam engine, 3 mph, demonstrated 1770. (Nicolas Joseph Cugnot, France) |
75 |
| 1775 - 1776 |
One-person-capsule submersible torpedo boat (with screw propeller), the TURTLE, built and used in New York Harbor during Revolutionary War: hand powered, attaches timed bomb to hull of British EAGLE, but the bomb floats away. (David Bushnell, Connecticut) |
73 |
| 1775 ca. |
Mine and stone tramway cars with simple hand brakes appear (late 18th century). (Europe) |
74 |
| 1778 |
Diving bell improved: uses one of the first industrial air compressors. (John Smeaton, Britain) |
73 |
| 1783 |
PYROSCAPHE, first working paddle-steamer, demonstrated on River Saone. (Marquis de Jouffroy, France) |
72 |
| 1783 |
Montgolfiers Fly Balloon (first manned free ascent). (Joseph and Jacque Montgolfier, Paris) |
77 |
| 1783 - 1784 |
Dirigible balloon designed: airship proposed propeller drive. (Jean Meusnier de la Place, France) |
77 |
| 1785 - 1795 |
Steamboat rivalry results in paddle-wheel river services. (John Fitch, James Rumsey, John Stevens, etc., US) |
72 |
| 1788 |
Modern iron diving bell developed: with air supplied by force pump. (John Smeaton) |
73 |
| 1790 ca. |
Use of cast iron for rail track begins to develop first in South Wales and northeast New England (USA): promoted by Wm. Jessop of Britain. (Britain and USA) |
74 |
| 1799 - 1857 |
Glider concepts developed for fixed wing, stability, rudder control, and drag reduction (1804 model). (Sir George Cayley, Britain) |
77 |
|
19th Century |
|
| 1801 - 1802 |
CHARLOTTE DUNDAS steam-driven paddle boat runs in Scottish (Forth and Clyde) canals: first commercial success of steamship. (Wm Symington, Scotland, Britain) |
72 |
| 1801 |
Propeller-driven submarine NAUTILUS built (1797 design): human-powered, too slow for warfare. (Robt Fulton, Le Havre, France) |
73 |
| 1801 - 1804 |
First horse-drawn public railway planned (1801): Surrey Iron Rai lway opens (1803) as first railroad built independent of canal s ystem, opens to paying public 1804. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1804 |
First steamship with screw propeller, the LITTLE JULIANA, cross es Hudson River: flat-bottomed boat built in 1802, achieves 4 mp h. (John Stevens, Hoboken, New Jersey) |
72 |
| 1804 |
First steam locomotive, the New Castle, tested at Coalbrookdale Iron Works: built 1803, runs but is too hard on rails. (Richard Trevithick, Britain) |
74 |
| 1805 |
First amphibious steam carriage built: steam-powered dock-cleaning dredge 'Orukter Amphibolus'. (Oliver Evans, US) |
73 |
| 1805 - 1808 |
Gunpowder-propelled wooden rockets developed: uses guide stick (centered in 1815), used in Baltimore battle (War of 1812). (Wm Congreve, Britain) |
78 |
| 1807 |
CLERMONT, commercially successful steam paddleboat, demonstrated on Hudson River: uses 20-hp Watt engine. (Robt Fulton, New York) |
72 |
| 1808 1809 |
PHOENIX built in Hoboken, N.J., and sent to Philadelphia: first sea-going steamboat. (John Stevens, New Jersey) |
72 |
| 1812 |
COMET makes voyage on Clyde River in Scotland: first commercial coastal steamer in Europe. (Henry Bell, Scotland) |
72 |
| 1812 - 1835 |
First operating steam-powered railroad hauls coal from Middleton mine to Leeds (June 1812): locomotive built by Matthew Murray for John Blenkinsop's tooth-rack railway, 30 wagons haul coal at 3 mph. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1813 |
Puffing Billy (simple adhesion locomotive) carries coal between mine head and wharf, Wylam Colliery. (Wm Hedley, Britain) |
74 |
| 1814 ca. |
Blucher pulls load faster than horse team: steam-blast engine, demonstrates steam locomotion potential, uses flanged wheels, driven by adhesion. (George Stephenson, Britain) |
74 |
| 1817 - 1818 |
'Draisine' demonstrated at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris: launches hobby horse (bicycle) era, built with wooden frame and steerable front wheel. (Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn, Paris) |
75 |
| 1818 |
The SAVANNAH launched as sailing packet ship by Fickett and Crockett: 90-hp steam engine used for transatlantic crossing (also used sail). (New York) |
72 |
| 1820 - 1829 |
Steam locomotion imported to US (Stourbridge Lion shipped in 1829): high growth in 1840s. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1825 |
World's first passenger steam-powered train opens: Stockton-to-Darlington Railway, drawn by Locomotion. (George Stephenson, Britain) |
74 |
| 1826 |
First US steam locomotive runs on rails: in circle for demonstration. Possibly 1825. (John Stevens, Hoboken, NJ) |
74 |
| 1828 |
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built: begins as horse-drawn system on wooden rails, later initiates innovative systems (chartered 2/28/1827, carried traffic 1/7/1830). (Jonathan Knight, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1828 |
First horse-drawn railway opens in France: steam locomotive operates 1832 on St. Etienne-Andruezieux line, carries passengers 1832. (France) |
74 |
| 1829 |
Rainhill trials prove steam rail traction works reliably: Rocket locomotive incorporate's innovations, travels 29 mph, uses fire -tube boiler. (George and Robt Stephenson, Britain) |
74 |
| 1829 |
Fish-bellied rolled-iron edge rails patented. (John Blenkinsop, Britain) |
74 |
| 1829 |
Stourbridge Lion operates in US (shipped from England). (Horatio Allen, US) |
74 |
| 1829 - 1830 |
Tom Thumb demonstrated: locomotive with vertical boiler, becomes first US-built steam locomotive, for B & O. (Peter Cooper, Balimore and Ohio) |
74 |
| 1829 |
British horse-drawn omnibus operates: horses replaced by internal combustion engine in London in 1911. (London) |
75 |
| 1830 |
Marriage Act combines canal and railroad companies to resolve debate on development. (New Jersey) |
70 |
| 1830 - 1849 |
Brass alloy becomes popular for sheathing of ships. (G F Muntz) |
72 |
| 1830 |
Best Friend of Charleston built for South Carolina Railroad by West Point Foundry Assocation: first operating US-built steam locomotive and first US passenger train offering regular service. (US) |
74 |
| 1830 |
First entirely steam-powered railway opens: the Liverpool and Manchester. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1830 - 1831 |
Inverted T rail (iron) designed for Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company: modern rail bed introduced. (Robt L Stevens, US) |
74 |
| 1830 - 1839 |
Flat-bottomed (inverted T) rail invented (fish plate introduced 1847). (Charles Vignoles, France) |
74 |
| 1831 |
Bogie truck (swivel wheels) reinvented (1812 patent): installed in 1832 in Experiment (Bro. Jonathon). (John B Jervis) |
74 |
| 1831 |
John Bull imported: brings rail technology to US, by Camden and Amboy Railroad. (Robt L Stevens, Philadelphia) |
74 |
| 1832 |
First horse tramway opens, New York and Harlem Street Railway: horse-pulled trams spread to Paris in 1855 and to England in 1860. (John Stephenson, New York, USA) |
74 |
| 1832 - 1852 |
Old Ironsides operates in US: wood and metal construction, improved steam-tube joints. (M Wm Baldwin, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1835 |
First steam locomotive in Germany operates between Nurnberg and Furth. (Germany) |
74 |
| 1836 |
First horse-drawn railway in USSR opens; steam traction introduced 1837. (USSR) |
74 |
| 1836 |
First Canadian railroad operates, between Laprairie and St. John, Quebec. (Quebec, Canada) |
74 |
| 1836 |
First 'American Standard' 4-4-0 locomotive patented for the Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown Railroad: type was built from 1837 to 1914, known for negotiating poor track (a hallmark of American rail technology). (Henry Campbell, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1837 |
Two propeller propulsion system designed for tug FRANCIS OGDEN. (John Ericsson, US, Britain) |
72 |
| 1837 |
GREAT WESTERN launched: one of first transatlantic commercial ships. (Britain) |
72 |
| 1838 - 1859 |
Enormous US railroad shops employ first-rate mechanical engineers: leads to major field for profession. (US) |
74 |
| 1839 |
Helical propeller (developed in 1794 by Archimedes) used on ship called ARCHIMEDES. |
72 |
| 1839 - 1843 |
GREAT BRITAIN built: first screw propeller*-driven iron-hulled transatlantic steamship, also first with watertight bulkheads. (Isambard K Brunel, Britain) |
72 |
| 1839 |
First railway in Italy opens between Naples and Portici. (Italy) |
74 |
| 1839 - 1845 |
Cast-iron railroad car wheel, wheel manufacturing, and cast-iron annealing process patented. (Asa Whitney, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1839 |
Bicycles propelled by pedals (a first). (Kirkpatrick Macmillan, Scotland) |
75 |
| 1840 |
Boiler designers establish tests: lay groundwork for professional naval mechanical engineers. (Copeland, Haswell) |
72 |
| 1841 |
Semaphore signal used: uses visual telegraph apparatus, becomes universal railroad signaling device for decades. (C H Gregory, London) |
74 |
| 1843 |
'Aerial steam carriage' awarded British patent: based on Sir Cayley's calculations. (Wm Samuel Henson, Britain) |
77 |
| 1844 |
Hale rotating rocket invented: dispenses with Congreve's guide stick, tested during Crimean War. (Wm Hale, Britain) |
78 |
| 1845 |
Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, established to prepare for modern steam navy. (Maryland) |
72 |
| 1845 ca. |
Baltimore clipper ships built: fast and economic transport for passengers, mail, and freight (wooden). (John Griffiths, Donald McKay) |
72 |
| 1848 |
Chicago's first locomotive, the Pioneer, runs. (Chicago) |
74 |
| 1849 |
Steam steering device invented (1849): patented (1853), installed (1853) in AUGUSTA. (F E Sickels, US) |
72 |
| 1849 |
Well-known trial of paddle boat HMS BASILISK and screw-propelled HMS NIGER (winner). (UK) |
72 |
| 1850 |
US railroad mileage three times that of Europe: grows from 2,800 miles in 1840 to 30,000 miles in 1860 (9,000 miles logged by 1850). (US) |
74 |
| 1851 |
Diving-bell salvage boats built: to raise wrecks, salvage cargo, and restore boats. (James B Eads, Paducah, Ky) |
73 |
| 1852 - 1854 |
Heat-as-reusable-fuel demonstated in the caloric heat engine of the ERICSSON (trial 1/11/53). (John Ericsson, US, New York) |
72 |
| 1853 |
First Asian railway opens between Bombay and Thana (British influence). (India) |
74 |
| 1854 |
STEAMSHIP BRANDON built: compound steam engine. (John Elder and Charles Randolf, Britain) |
72 |
| 1854 - 1862 |
Iron-clad MONITOR conceived and built: features revolving gun turret, renders mast and sail expendable, major design innovation. (John Ericsson, US) |
72 |
| 1855 |
Marine steam-engine governor patented: controlled speed of engine in weather. (Thomas Silver, Philadelphia) |
72 |
| 1858 |
GREAT EASTERN, first 'great iron ship,' launched: paddle-and-screw steamer, construction begun 1853. (Possibly launched 1857?) (Isambard K Brunel, Britain) |
72 |
| 1858 - 1859 |
Almost complete conversion of US railroads to anthracite coal locomotives: water grates used. (James Millholland, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1859 |
Giffard boiler-feed steam injector invented in Britain and in US in 1860 by Wm Sellers. (Henri Giffard) |
74 |
| 1860 |
ENGINEER magazine reports: 'in United States, railroad engineering is . . . the principal branch of the [mechanical engineering] profession.' (Philadelphia) |
74 |
| 1860 |
Boneshaker (bicycle) velocipede built with pedals attached to the front-wheel axle: uses brakes, sold over 400 a year by 1865. (Pierre Michaux, France) |
75 |
| 1862 - 1870 |
Machinery designed and constructed for expansion of US Navy steam-powered fleet. (Benj F Isherwood, US) |
72 |
| 1862 ca. |
Coiled and elliptic railroad-car springs invented: reduces weight of car spring and increases strength. (Aaron French, Ohio) |
74 |
| 1863 |
Ballast tanks cleared by the use of compressed air in the Le Plongeur submarine. (France) |
73 |
| 1863 |
First underground railway: followed in 1868 by New York's elevated railway. (London) |
74 |
| 1863 |
First automatic railroad car coupler, Miller Hook, developed; heralded as greatest safety device. (US) |
74 |
| 1864 |
George Pullman builds the Pioneer, his first railroad sleeping car*, run on the Chicago & Alton Railroad (Pullman began designing sleeping cars in 1859). (George Pullman, US) |
74 |
| 1864 - 1869 |
Cog railway* designed and built 1864 (first in world): 'Tip Top' begins operating 1869. (Sylvester Marsh, Mt Washington, NH) |
74 |
| 1865 |
Pontoon for raising sunken vessels by displacement patented: still used in 1930s. (Israel J Merritt, New York) |
72 |
| 1865 |
First US steel rails rolled (first US steel rails rolled using Bessemer process in 1866, Johnstown, Pa., Robt Hunt--A2). (Chicago) |
74 |
| 1866 |
Holt engine brings compound engines into use, with compound steamships replacing sail trade to Far East: boiler construction allows higher pressures, coincides with opening of Suez Canal in 1869. (Holt, Britain) |
72 |
| 1866 |
Spark ignition engine with Daimler carburettor introduced (working on de Rochas 4-stoke). (Nikolas A Otto, Germany) |
75 |
| 1867 |
Master Car Builders Association of the U.S.A. organized to set standards in all areas of rail design: consolidated in 1919 as part of the Amer. Railway Assoc., today's Association of American Railroads. (USA) |
74 |
| 1868 |
Spring-lock washer patented: used worldwide for holding rail bolts in place. (Thomas Shaw, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1869 |
Continuous compressed-air brake patented: for high-speed rail safety, compulsory in US by 1893. (George Westinghouse, Pittsburgh) |
74 |
| 1869 |
First US transcontinental railway route completed: Golden Spike driven in ceremony at Promontory, Utah. (US) |
74 |
| 1870 ca. |
Paddle wheel boats phased out. (US) |
72 |
| 1870 |
Monongahela incline*, earliest US passenger incline, opens: built by Prussian engineer John Andres, assisted by Samuel Diescher, used Roebling cable, this was first of 17 inclines in Pittsburgh hills. (John Andres, Pennsylvania) |
74 |
| 1870 ca. |
Dynamometer car developed to autographically record locomotive and train performance. (US) |
74 |
| 1870 - 1871 |
Ariel bicycle, aka ordinary or penny-farthing, introduced: gearing revolves at twice the speed of crank. (James Starley, Britain) |
75 |
| 1871 |
Triple-expansion marine engine patented (installed 1973). (Benjamin Norman, France) |
72 |
| 1872 - 1876 |
HMS CHALLENGER surveyed ocean waters and ocean bottom: accurate sounding device introduced. |
72 |
| 1872 |
Japan's first railway opens between Shimbashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama. (Japan) |
74 |
| 1872 |
Track circuit invented: improved traffic flow of railroads. |
74 |
| 1873 |
Janney coupler patented: first used on Southern Railroad, used in 1876 by Penn Railroad, improved 1881 and 1882, made standard 1888. (Eli H Janney, Virginia) |
74 |
| 1875 ca. |
Quadruple-expansion engines: No. German Lloyd twin-screw ships, Kaiser Wilhelm II. (Germany) |
72 |
| 1876 - 1896 |
Manganese-bronze marine propeller developed: replaces wrought iron and cast steel. (Parson, UK) |
72 |
| 1876 |
First compound locomotive designed and built for Bayonne-Biarritz Railway: 0-4-2 tank locomotive with two cylinders. (Anatole Mallet, France) |
74 |
| 1878 |
First ordinary bicycle imported from Britain to US, followed by high-wheel bike. (US) |
75 |
| 1879 |
First successful demonstration of electric locomotive: operated in 1881. (Werner von Siemens, Berlin, Germany) |
74 |
| 1879 |
Chain-driven safety bicycle introduced: led to bicycle craze of 1890s. (H J Lawson, Britain) |
75 |
| 1879 |
Brushed roller chain for bicycle devised. (Renold) |
75 |
| 1880 - 1914 |
Shipping trade greatly increases, with faster, more compact engines; larger cargos; and gear technology that provides slower, more economical propeller speeds. |
72 |
| 1881 |
Steamship CITY OF ROME launched: 12,000 ihp. |
72 |
| 1881 |
ABERDEEN built: prototype of triple expansion steam engines, the most important propulsion for decades, including US Liberty ships*. (Alexander Kirk, Britain) |
72 |
| 1881 - 1888 |
Whaleback freight ship designed, 1881: built 1888, barge transportation for coal, grain, etc. (Alex. McDougall, US) |
72 |
| 1881 |
First electric tramway built, in Berlin. (Werner von Siemens, Germany) |
74 |
| 1882 |
Trolley vehicle appears in Germany. (Germany) |
74 |
| 1882 |
Knuckle-type automatic coupler developed for US railways: becomes North American standard. (US) |
74 |
| 1883 - 1903 |
Fundamentals of space flight formulated: ISSLEDOVANI MIROVYKH PR OSTRANSTV REAKTIVNYMI PRIBORAMI. (Konstantin E Tsiolkovsky, USSR) |
78 |
| 1884 |
Mallet's articulation principle patented: demonstrated at 1889 Paris exhibit by Decauville Aine (firm). (Anatole Mallet, France) |
74 |
| 1885 |
Canadian Pacific line completed: Canada's first transcontinental route. (Wm C Van Horn, Canada) |
74 |
| 1885 |
Rover safety bicycle manufactured: replaces ordinary bicycle (1870) within a few years (produced by nephew of Starley). (John K Starley) |
75 |
| 1885 - 1893 |
Motor vehicles built with horizontal, single-cylinder (Otto cycle) petrol engine (butterfly valve developed): marks technical and commercial success of automobile. (Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, Mannheim, Germany; France) |
75 |
| 1886 |
First oil tanker, the Gluckhauf, built. (Britain) |
72 |
| 1886 |
Mountain-rack railway line opens in Harz Mountains: improvement in rack designed by Roman Abt, becomes most widely used rack system. (Roman Abt, Germany) |
74 |
| 1886 |
Rail gauge standardized (4 feet, 8.5 inches): 10s of 1000s rail modified for steel rail standard. (Stephenson, US) |
74 |
| 1886 - 1887 |
Motor bicycle (1886) and motor car (1887) produced by Daimler. (Gottlieb Daimler, Germany) |
75 |
| 1887 - 1903 |
US Navy modernized: water-tube boilers installed, triple-screw vessels designed, steam turbine reduction gear invented. (George W Melville, US) |
72 |
| 1887 |
Interstate Commerce Act places railroad under federal regulation, to establish maximum rates (follows railroad rate wars). (US) |
74 |
| 1887 ca. |
Engines for cable railway across Brooklyn Bridge designed. (Erasmus D Leavitt, New York) |
74 |
| 1887 |
Usable cable car* replaces horse: cable traction applied. (Andrew Hallidie, San Francisco) |
74 |
| 1887 - 1893 |
Carburetor invented by Wilhelm Maybach for Daimler: enables gas tank storage and introduces gas into engine. (Gottlief Daimler, Germany) |
75 |
| 1888 |
Electric streetcar perfected (from Edison's in Menlo Park, Siemens and Malske in Berlin). (Frank J Sprague, Richmond, Va) |
74 |
| 1888 |
Friction draft gear patented: 'Buffing Apparatus,' No. 391,997, first commercial application in 1896, this type of gear supercedes the spring gear by 1908. (George Westinghouse, Jr., USA) |
74 |
| 1888 |
Pneumatic tires patented for tricycle: used on bicycle by 1893. (John B Dunlop, Belfast) |
75 |
| 1888 |
Steam-traction vehicles used for hauling and agricultural purposes. (Dodman, Britain) |
75 |
| 1889 |
Vacuum brake used on British railroads for continuous braking system. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1889 |
Four-cylinder compound locomotive designed for Baldwin Locomotive Works: widely adopted. (Samuel Vauclain, Philadelphia) |
74 |
| 1889 |
DER VOGELFLUG ALS GRUNDLAGE DES FLIEGEKUNST (Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation) published. (Otto Lilienthal, Germany) |
77 |
| 1890 |
First electric underground railway. (London) |
74 |
| 1890 |
Singer safety bicycle incorporates features of modern bicycle: leads to 'most spectacular craze of all time,' advertising trend established. (US) |
75 |
| 1890 - 1899 |
Serpollet steam car produced: uses superheated steam. (France) |
75 |
| 1890 |
Lilienthal's first (hang) glider built. (Otto Lilienthal) |
77 |
| 1891 |
Mechanical arrangement of modern car appears: Daimler and Levassor produce first car. (Emile C Levassor, France) |
75 |
| 1891 - 1896 |
Gliding experiments begin (1891): more than 2,000 flights before his death (1896) from a fall. (Otto Lilienthal, Germany) |
77 |
| 1892 |
First US steel-ship yard built: American Steel Barge Company. (Alex. McDougall, Everett, Wash) |
72 |
| 1892 |
First power-driven mechanical underfeed stoker operates at Portland Cable Railway Company. (Evan Wm Jones, Portland, Oregon) |
74 |
| 1893 |
Condensing apparatus patented: widely used in US and Europe and by US Navy. (Frederick Wheeler, New York) |
72 |
| 1893 |
First US-manufactured motor vehicles built by bicycle mechanics: gasoline-powered. (C and F Duryea, Springfield, Mass) |
75 |
| 1893 |
Float-feed carburetor patented: used in Daimler's and Maybach's 'Phoenix' gas-powered car. (Wilhelm Maybach, Germany) |
75 |
| 1893 |
Box kite invented: basis for biplane structure. (L Hargrave, Australia) |
77 |
| 1894 |
Tests of radial-flow turbine result in cavitation problems: predecessor of TURBINIA turbine (1897). (Charles Parsons, Britain) |
72 |
| 1894 |
Motor cars introduced in Britain. (Britain) |
75 |
| 1895 |
First US mainline railway electrified*: B & O line. (Baltimore and Ohio) |
74 |
| 1895 |
Paris-Bordeaux-Paris (752 miles) race touchs off activities in automotive industry: won by Levassor, whose vehicle averaged 15 mph. (Emile C Levassor, France) |
75 |
| 1897 |
Steam turbine introduced into ship propulsion after TURBINIA demonstrated at Queen Victoria naval review: in general use by 1910. (Charles Parsons, Britain) |
72 |
| 1897 |
First geared-turbine vessel fitted out by Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company. (Wallsend) |
72 |
| 1897 |
Diesel engine introduced to US by Diesel Motor Company of America. (Edward D Meier) |
75 |
| 1897 |
Automobile designed with pneumatic tires, Ackerman steering, etc, in tubular chassis. (F W Lanchester, Britain) |
75 |
| 1897 - 1901 |
First practical two-wheel motorcycle (motored bicycle) produced by Paris journalists. (Michel and Eugene Werner, Paris) |
75 |
| 1898 |
First US Navy submarine, the Holland VI, designed: uses gasoline engine for surface running, battery-powered electric motors used for submersion. (John Holland, US) |
73 |
| 1898 |
Automatic center couplings developed by British railways (adopted 1948). (Britain) |
74 |
| 1899 - 1906 |
Low-tension magneto ignition used in petrol engines: in early Lanchester and Arrol-Johnston cars. |
75 |
|
20th Century |
|
| 1900- 1920 |
Rapid introduction of steel in rail car construction: increased lengths of trains, made heavy-tonnage freight trains possible. (USA) |
74 |
| 1900 ca. |
Steam locomotion gives way to diesel power. (US) |
75 |
| 1900 - 1906 |
High-tension magneto ignition used in petrol engines (automobile): Bosch spark plug invented 1902 by G Honold. (Robt Bosch Company, Germany) |
75 |
| 1900 - 1938 |
Count von Zeppelin flies airship over Lake Constance (1900): rigid airships develop in Germany and some 160 produced by 1938, first successful Zeppelin (1908), first to be built in quantity (1914). (Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, Germany) |
77 |
| 1901 - 1906 |
Epicycle gear patented for bicycle. (J J Sturmy, J Archer) |
75 |
| 1901 |
Unverified flights by aircraft advocate Gustave Whitehead. (Gustave Whitehead, US) |
77 |
| 1902 |
Three-phase, 3,000-volt electric rail system for mainline use opens. (Italy) |
74 |
| 1902 - 1905 |
Compound rotary engine patented (12/30/1902): includes sleeve valve by 1905 (Knight-Davison Motor Company, NY). (Margaret Knight, US) |
75 |
| 1902 |
Prototype radial engine for airplanes invented: five-cylinder radial engine powered the flight of Langley's airplane in 1903. (Charles M Manly, USA) |
77 |
| 1903 |
Lebaudy brothers fly first serviceable dirigible airship from Moisson to Paris for demonstration (11/13): semi-rigid hydrogen- filled ballonet powered by 40-hp Daimler engine, 25 mph, designed by H Julliot and D Simoni. (H Julliot and D Simoni, Moisson) |
77 |
| 1903 |
First piloted, powered, sustained, controlled aeroplane flight: 12-hp petrol engine. (Wright brothers, Kitty Hawk) |
77 |
| 1904 |
First turbine-engined ship for transatlantic service, the VIRGINIA, is in service. |
72 |
| 1907 |
Golden age of reciprocating steam engine in ships is over. (Germany and Britain) |
72 |
| 1907 |
New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad established as proving ground for AC electrification*. (Connecticut) |
74 |
| 1907 |
AERODYNAMICS textbook published: theoretical treatment of aircraft design. (F W Lanchester, Britain) |
77 |
| 1907 |
Voisin Standard pusher biplane built: more than 100 produced and promoted by Henri Farman who added fitted ailerons to replace the rudder. (Gabriel and Charles Voisin, English Channel) |
77 |
| 1908 |
AEA No. 3 aerodrome, June Bug, demonstrated to public: launches Curtiss engine. (Glenn Curtiss, Hammondsport, NY) |
77 |
| 1909 - 1912 |
First experimental Diesel locomotive built by firm of Klose and Sulzer: tested 1913 on Hessian-Prussian State Railroad, 1,000-hp Diesel engine. (Rudolf Diesel, Winterthur, Switzerland) |
74 |
| 1909 |
Bleriot XI crossed the English Channel: a wing warping used. (Louis Bleriot, Britain) |
77 |
| 1910 ca. |
Superheated steam introduced into rail industry: cuts fuel consumption by 25 percent, return bend element design makes slide valve obsolete. (Wilhelm Schmidt, USA) |
74 |
| 1911 - 1912 |
First practical electric self-starter for automobiles developed at Delco Labs for General Motors: installed 1912 in Cadillac. (Charles Kettering, Dayton, Ohio) |
75 |
| 1911 |
First degree in aeronautical engineering earned: at Columbia University. (Grover Loening, New York City) |
78 |
| 1912 - 1920 |
Rocketry experiments with solid propellants conducted. (Robt H Goddard, Worcester, Mass) |
78 |
| 1914 - 1918 |
Submarine technology develops rapidly: German and British navies use in World War I, innovations include early designs of antisubmarines and sonar (1918). (Germany and Britain) |
73 |
| 1914 - 1918 |
Aviation design advances during World War I (never again matched): 145 mph, 30,000 feet in altitude, carrying 3,000 lbs. |
77 |
| 1915 |
National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) forms. (US) |
77 |
| 1923 |
V-4 engine used in Lancia Lambda automobile: multiple-cylinder engine using V-shaped arrangement of cylinders. |
75 |
| 1919 |
Commercial aviation developed. (Britain) |
77 |
| 1919 |
'A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes' published in SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. (Robt H Goddard, Worcester, Mass) |
78 |
| 1920 - 1929 |
Piggy backing and other container systems for freight rail transport begun (grew in 1950s). (US) |
74 |
| 1920 - 1929 |
Higher octane gasolines for automobiles produced by thermal cracking process. |
75 |
| 1906 |
14 'bis,' Europe's first successful powered flight: piloted for less than 200 feet. (Alberto Santos-Dumont (Brazilian), Europe) |
77 |
| 1920 - 1929 |
Wind tunnel experiments advance aeronautics. |
77 |
| 1921 |
Code for construction of locomotive boilers adopted. (ASME, US) |
74 |
| 1921 |
Railways act leads to compulsory amalgamation of major British rail companies (1/1/23). (Britain) |
74 |
| 1925 |
Modern-type stabilizer introduced by Japanese. (Japan) |
72 |
| 1925 - 1957 |
First commercially successful diesel-electric switching locomotive in service. (ALCO, US) |
74 |
| 1925 |
British Moth establishes flying-cub following: two-seat biplane with 60-hp Cirrus engine, widely used as light aircraft. (G de Havilland, Britain) |
77 |
| 1926 |
Induction method of nondestructive testing of rails developed: uses detector car systems. (Elmer A Sperry, US) |
74 |
| 1926 |
U.S. Railway Labor Act enacted: for mediation of labor disputes. |
74 |
| 1926 |
Frameless tanker developed: for carrying fuel oil, milk, vermouth, molasses, chemicals, etc. (Scammell) |
75 |
| 1926 |
World's first liquid-fuel rocket launched. (Robt H Goddard, Worcester, Mass) |
78 |
| 1929 |
Practical fuel injection pump and nozzle system developed. (Robt Bosch) |
74 |
| 1929 |
Graf Zeppelin (built 1927-28) flies around the world in three weeks (1928--E2). (Zeppelin, Germany) |
77 |
| 1929 |
Aeronca C-2, successful light plane, produced: opens private-ownership market (check Piper Cub). (Aeronca, Cincinnati, Ohio) |
77 |
| 1929 - 1930 |
Jet propulsion by gas turbine (turbojet) with centrifugal compressor invented: patent filed 1/14/30 and granted 1932; Gloster E28/39 flown in 1941. (Frank Whittle, Britain) |
77 |
| 1930 - 1939 |
Hydraulic brakes replace mechanical brake system in automobile. |
75 |
| 1930 ca. |
Northrop Alphas demonstrates multicellular wing and stress-skin construction for all-metal plane. (John K Northrop, US) |
77 |
| 1930 ca. |
All-metal airplanes in use: especially aluminum. (US) |
77 |
| 1930 - 1939 |
Rocket experimental station produces A series (V2): developed propulsion technology, proved feasibility (V2 was tested 3/5/1942, used 1944). (von Braun, Ley, Riedel, Germany) |
78 |
| 1933 - 1939 |
Welded rail laid on Delaware and Hudson railroad (adopted worldwide in 1950s). (US) |
74 |
| 1933 |
Boeing 247, Douglas DC 1, and Lockheed Electra introduced in succession. (US) |
77 |
| 1934 |
Pioneer Zephyr of Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railway begins: first US diesel-electric power in main-line, averaged 78 mph, powered by light-weight Diesel engine built by General Motor's Electro-MotiveCorp., Edward G. Budd Co. builds train. (US) |
74 |
| 1935 |
High-speed, streamlined Silver Jubilee railroad introduced between London and Newcastle. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1936 - 1937 |
Automatic transmission installed in Oldsmobiles by GM: hydromatic transmission system. (GM) |
75 |
| 1936 |
American Douglas DC-3 produced: brought commercial airlines into public domain (160 mph, twin engines). (Raymond and Burton, American Airline, US) |
77 |
| 1936 |
Public demonstration of fully controllable helicopter, Focke-Achgelis Fa 61. (Hanna Reisch, Berlin) |
77 |
| 1936 |
First practical helicopter for the US, the VS 300, flown June 26 (check 1939, 9/14). (Igor Sikorsky, US) |
77 |
| 1937 |
Cyclone R-3350 turbocharged aircraft engine produced: lightweight, low fuel consumption, better mechanical reliance. (Wright Aeronautical) |
77 |
| 1938 |
Large four-engine airliners such as the Boeing 307 Stratoliner designed and used. (US) |
77 |
| 1938 |
Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 establishes Civil Aeronautics Authority to handle industry growth. (US) |
77 |
| 1939 |
Fully automated transmission in automobiles (used planetary gears). |
75 |
| 1939 |
Canadian snowmobile designed. (Armand Bombadier, Canada) |
76 |
| 1939 |
Jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, flies: powered by gas turbine engine (turbojet). (Hans von Ohain, Marienehe, Germany) |
77 |
| 1939 |
Successful flight of single-main-rotor helicopter* made: went into production (VS300A) in 1941 (first French flight was 7/1935, but it never went into production). (Igor Sikorsky, Michigan) |
77 |
| 1940 - 1945 |
World War II spurs submarine development: Germans build prototype V-80 in 1940 and Type XXI in 1945, radar used in 1942. (Germany) |
73 |
| 1940 ca. |
Autogyro developed: with wings rotating forward by traction propeller. (Juan de la Cierva, Spain) |
77 |
| 1941 |
Union Pacific's Big Boy built: world's largest steam locomotive, designed for mountain service, 6,000 hp, 70 mph. (USA) |
74 |
| 1941 |
Gloster E28/39 flown: test bed for turbojet engine (W-1 tested 12/40; outperforms Spitfire 1942). (Frank Whittle, Britain) |
77 |
| 1942 |
First flight of a US jet, with engine designated the 1-A: Bel Airacomet (XP-59A) by Bell Aircraft Company (Buffalo, NY) equipped with Whittle engine. (GE (Lynn, Mass), Muroc, Calif) |
77 |
| 1945 ca. |
T-2 oil tankers produced (480 built): replenishes fleet and designs for large tankers become standardized. |
72 |
| 1945 ca. |
Quiet propeller developed for jet propulsion. (US) |
77 |
| 1947 |
KCH-2 Beaver airplane built. (De Havilland Air, Canada) |
77 |
| 1946 - 1955 |
Viking research rocket series becomes first large US rocket effort at White Sands Proving Ground: tests telemetry instruments. (New Mexico) (US Navy, New Mexico) |
78 |
| 1947 |
First gas-turbine driven warship, MGB 2009, fitted: displacing steam turbine and diesel engine. |
72 |
| 1947 |
British Transport commission established, followed by nationalization of British rails. (Britain) |
74 |
| 1950 ca. |
Principles of hovercraft aeroplane results from fluid-flow studies (Cockrell, Britain--H6). |
77 |
| 1950 ca. |
Series of satellites put into orbit around the earth. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1951 |
French-made electric locomotives demonstrated: 25,000 volt single-phase AC current, reaches 205 mph (then world record) in 1955, became standard in Europe, Japan, and India. |
74 |
| 1954 |
USS NAUTILUS, first nuclear-powered submarine, launched: revolutionizes submarine technology. (Groton, Conn) |
73 |
| 1954 - 1957 |
Boeing 707 prototype demonstrated: powered by Pratt & Whitney turbojets, swept-back wing design. (Boeing, Seattle -Baltimore) |
77 |
| 1955 ca. |
Container ships revolutionize cargo trade. |
72 |
| 1956 |
Tanker designs influenced when Nylon proofed with rubber is used for a deflatable oil tank on Dacrone barge. (W R Hawthorne, Cambridge, England) |
72 |
| 1957 |
Jake Brake invented: diesel engine brake retarder developed with hydraulic valve mechanism as air compressor. (Clessie Cummins, Connecticut) |
75 |
| 1957 |
Wankel engine used in vehicles: developed in 1888, patented 1929, used in production car 1963 (NSU Spyder, Japan). (Felix Wankel, Germany) |
75 |
| 1957 ca. |
Boron fuels developed for jet propulsion. (US) |
77 |
| 1957 |
SPUTNIK 1 launched: first spacecraft. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1957 |
Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)* launched. (US (California)) |
78 |
| 1957 |
SPUTNIK 2 launched: first craft with life support systems. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1958 |
Turbofan engine rebuilt from turbojet engine for quieter and more economical fuel consumption. (Pratt and Whitney, US) |
77 |
| 1958 |
PIONEER 1 space probe launched toward moon. (US) |
78 |
| 1958 |
VANGUARD 1 launched: first craft with solar power. (US) |
78 |
| 1958 |
1958 Space Act passes in US: creates NASA and establishes strong international orientation and civil emphasis. (Kennedy, US) |
78 |
| 1959 |
PIONEER 5 launched: deep-space probe. (US) |
78 |
| 1960 |
Nuclear-powered aircraft project. (US) |
77 |
| 1960 ca. |
Shock and vibration research, relating to flight safety. (US) |
77 |
| 1961 |
FREEDOM 7 with Alan Shepard Jr launched: exercised manual control. (Shephard, US) |
78 |
| 1961 |
VOSTOK 1, with Yuri Gagarin, launched: life support, communications, automatic control systems, etc. (Gagarin, USSR) |
78 |
| 1962 |
NS SAVANNAH* built: first civilian maritime nuclear (PWR) reactor (cargo-passenger) ship in world. (George Sharp, Camden, NJ) |
72 |
| 1962 |
ALOUETTE I satellite launched (by US): Canadian scientific remote sensing satellite. (NASA, Canada, US) |
78 |
| 1962 |
FRIENDSHIP 7 with John Glenn launched by Atlas booster: achieves orbit (Project Mercury). (Glenn, US) |
78 |
| 1963 - 1971 |
SST study leads to materials, digital, noise-control, structural, and propulsion technology. (Boeing for NASA, US) |
77 |
| 1964 |
High-speed passenger train, Shinkansen, begins full service between Tokyo and Osaka: designed 1957, averages 130 mph, demonstrates commercially successful system. (Japan) |
74 |
| 1964 - 1972 |
Apollo program develops aerospace technology: modules, thruster engines, radio equipment, Saturn Vs, and control and guidance equipment. (NASA, Kennedy, Fla, Texas, Ala) |
78 |
| 1965 ca. |
Noise effects report published: relating to flight safety. (US) |
77 |
| 1965 |
GEMINI 5 launched for pre-Apollo endurance mission: includes fuel-cell electrical power system. (US) |
78 |
| 1965 |
GEMINI 3 launched by modified Titan 2 booster. (US) |
78 |
| 1965 |
VOSKHOD 2: first space walk, with autonomous life support system. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1966 |
Electronic fuel injection system to replace carburetor is developed. (Britain) |
75 |
| 1968 |
APOLLO 7 launched by Saturn 1B: engineering test flight of command service modules. (US) |
78 |
| 1969 - 1970 |
Friedrich List College of Transport at Dresden reorganizes during national university reforms. (DDR, Germany) |
70 |
| 1969 |
SOYUZ 4 launched to dock with SOYUZ 5: first experimental space station. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1969 |
SOYUZ 6 launched: tests welding techniques in space. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1969 |
APOLLO 11 launched: achieves first lunar landing with crew walking on lunar surface. (US) |
78 |
| 1971 |
AMTRAK created through the Rail Passenger Service Act. (US) |
74 |
| 1971 |
Prototype space station SALYUT 1 launched: crew boarded from SUYUZ 11 (6/6-30), re-entered 10/11/71. (USSR) |
78 |
| 1971 |
APOLLO 15 launched: lunar roving vehicle (LRV) driven on surface. (US) |
78 |
| 1973 |
Experimental space station SKYLAB 1 launched by Saturn 5: crew boarded 5/25 to 6/22, re-entered 7/11/79. (US) |
78 |
| 1975 - 1976 |
Supersonic jetliner, the Concorde, begi |
