Sharing History

The 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century was the age of innovative technologies. The advancement in science and the application of this advancement in various fields marked this period. The big improvement in steel production was dictated by the need for steel in the construction of bridges and railways and in producing military equipment and weapons including revolvers, artillery and military vehicles.

In 1814 the first practical steam-powered railway locomotive was built. A few years later in 1825 the first public steam-powered railway in the world was in use. The year 1838 saw the first transatlantic steamship services, while 1900 marked the first successful airship and three years later the first motor-driven aeroplane.

Engines progressed from stove-heated to steam powered and then to internal combustion. Dictated largely by the needs of the more industrialised countries, which were seeking a better connection with the sources of raw materials, manufacturing centres and markets, the leaders in these innovative technologies were the northern countries of Western and Central Europe while the introduction of these innovations in the Ottoman, Arab and some other European lands was taking place more gradually.