With the growth of the cities in the late 19th century, better transportation became a necessity. This period saw the invention of electric horsecars and streetcars to foster change in urban centers’ image and landscape. According to Nye, to understand the ideologies behind the electric streetcar, it is essential to have an understanding of the technology and economics used as well as technical and economic impact (85). Nye’s main argument is that “A machine’s social reality is constructed, and emerges not only through its use as a functional device, but also through its being experienced as part of many human situations which collectively define its meaning.” (85). Hence, the commencement of the electric horsecar and streetcar brought about the establishment of various sectors and promotion of economic and cultural links in the cities and the country as a whole. This paper, therefore, will explore Nye’s argument on electric horsecars explaining how they came about, their functions, and their impacts on human lives. The paper will also explain how cars are relevant to the technologies adopted in 19th-century cities.
Initially, the use of horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians’ walks had prevailed in the years prior, in that, horses were used to pull all vehicles and there were no traffic signals as traffic jams were common. However, large cities by the 1870s proved difficult for pedestrians as heavy congestion was evident (Nye, 85). This is because, instead of the horsecars reducing the congestion, the increase in omnibuses added to it. Similarly, the vehicles had no ventilation as excess passengers were packed into them. The horses’ excretions were also left behind as manure which dried up and was blown by the wind. Therefore, congestion and pollution were a common menace of horsecars.
However, after the 1870s, an idea to electrify the previous vehicles came up. Some of the earlier patents were an electric motor to use in driving streetcars which was constructed in 1835 and an electric-powered railway in 1840 (Nye, 86). Nevertheless, the early electric cars relied on unstable batteries to run them as sufficient electricity was difficult to generate. The electric streetcars had more advantages in using batteries as the electric vehicles were light and faster, carried more passengers, and covered a wider range (Nye, 87). This led to the increase in patents to develop electric lighting and streetcars railways. Collectively, the developed system comprised mounting of the motor under the streetcar and transmitting of electricity to the streetcars using overhead wires by the use of a trolley (Nye, 88). The system also comprised the brakes, driving mechanisms, and operator controls that worked, thereby, ensuring a complete dynamo of the electric streetcar.
With time, Frank J. Sprague made innovations that saw the motor being engaged with a cogwheel on the axle to prevent the shocks and jarring. He also came up with the multiple-unit control system where every vehicle had its motor. Despite this, the electric streetcars would be driven in a separate manner with only one driver controlling a fleet of course (Nye, 89). This helped cut the labor costs that would otherwise be invested in hiring extra drivers. According to Nye, overall ridership also increased tremendously from 1890 to 1902 irrespective of the varying topographies and populations (94). This was characterized by many riders in many large cities and the track coverage as well.
The invention of the electric streetcar had other advantages and drawbacks as well. According to Nye, the high costs incurred in maintaining horses were eliminated (89). Electric streetcars had other strengths which include; they were cleaner compared to horse-drawn cars, they were more powerful in cutting across hills and snow, and were easily heated during winter (Nye, 89). The development of the American street railways was dependent on the lines left behind by the horsecars as well as real estate developers. Nye mentions that the massive development of the streetcars led to the growth of various industries such as steel and copper-related industries (92). This opened job opportunities for various people who worked in the industries and the street railways. The growing middle class and the workforce opened the opportunity for real estate development which led to the growth of cities, suburbs, and business districts.
While collectively focusing on electric streetcars’ meaning, it is essential to consider the drawbacks associated with the usage of cars in human situations. Nye asserts that for instance, as the use of streetcars became more apparent in day-to-day lives, it attracted a lot of controversial politics on topics of safety, fare, ownerships, and franchises length (97-99). According to Nye, another major drawback to this innovation was that a huge amount of capital was required to lay a new roadbed, making overhead wires, electric powerhouses, and more electric streetcars (90). Maintenance costs were also high and it led to the employment of more electrical skilled personnel to handle the task.
Expansion of more roads to serve various towns led to a mixed reaction with a group of individuals happy to see the streetcars pass their doorsteps while others went ahead to sue against the action. Providence of transportation by the electric streetcars on Sundays was also criticized and cases were taken to court as it was alleged that the vehicles interrupted the calmness of a sabbath day (Nye, 91). The streetcars were also alleged to be the cause of accidents while in operation (Nye, 102). According to Nye, these accidents were usually head-on collisions, streetcars veering off the road, playing on or close to the car lines, and being hit (103, 104). Hence, streetcars proved disadvantageous irrespective of the perks associated with their usage.
Therefore, from the paper, it is clear that the electric streetcar was constructed to cover the drawbacks of horse-driven vehicles. During their developments, many inventions were main including the use of the motor and how to ensure electricity would be sufficient for operating the vehicles. Their functionality was dependent on their intended purpose and was realized through the cars interacting with the human being in their everyday lives. Disadvantages associated with the streetcars too have been explored through various human situations explored to give the streetcars meaning. The invention of streetcars gave the cities and towns a new perspective due to the application of technology that ensured the cities ad towns grew. Various advancements in technology were made and utilized since the 19th century. Nonetheless, the technology behind the electric streetcars was aimed at improving transport, expanding urban centers, and providing excitement and experience in an improved mode of transportation.
Work Cited
Nye, David. “Electrifying America: Social meanings of a new technology.” (1992).