Trains are not only an essential transportation system, but they expanded the U.S. and drove the Industrial Revolution. But why are there trains? Whats the deal? And why are there creepy ones with faces that kids look up to for moral guidance?
The train was invented in it's most recognizable form (smoke-stack, round-face) by John Fitch, who is recognized as the first person to design and construct a working locomotive. This does not mean he invented the steam engine, but he invented the train as we know it using the steam engine.
Trains helped to sculpt the modern United States. If anyone's seen a Western movie, there are almost always two trademark contraptions present: the train and the telegraph. And for the most part, the telegraph could not have existed without the train. Almost all long-distance telegraph lines ran close to or along-side the railroad tracks. This made for convenient and swift repair of damaged lines, as well as swift construction. Who wants to ride a horse a thousand miles to the middle of nowhere to get something done? (other than the Pony Express)
Thomas the Tank Engine (picture above) is, to me, kinda creepy. It seems like a twisted mix of human emotion and machine, in a child-safe manner, of course. I also find it rather odd that the trains are mechanical yet show a great deal of emotion while the humans in the show are wooden and very little emotion is actually shown. And those eyes in constant motion........ *shivers*
Special thanks to Wikipedia!
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