Transport
Discover facts about transport. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Transport
Bushings determine the turning resistance of a skateboard
Urethane bushings sit around the skateboard’s kingpin and squish when you lean. Softer bushings give the trucks more turn; tighten them and the board gets…
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Drunk cycling can mean a driving violation
In places where impaired-driving laws cover bicycles, a bike ride counts as operating a vehicle on public roads. Two wheels and leg power don’t make alcohol…
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Station wagon tailgates frequently split into two sections
A split tailgate opens in two directions: the lower section drops for loading, while the upper section lifts out of the way. It’s a door that learned to…
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Volcanic eruptions inject ash into global wind streams
A powerful eruption blasts fine ash high into the atmosphere, where strong winds carry it far beyond the volcano. The cloud travels quietly overhead, then…
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Pullman cars turned a sitting room into a dormitory
At night, seats became lower beds and upper berths folded down from above. Curtains separated the sleeping spaces from the aisle, giving passengers a private…
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NASA gave the space shuttle a ride on top of a 747
The orbiter needed to move between landing sites, but it was not built to cruise across the country under its own power. NASA mounted it on a specially…
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The Planes Built to Keep Flying After a Nuclear Blast
The E-4B is built as an airborne command post, with shielded electronics and backup systems designed to keep working through the electromagnetic pulse of a…
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Why cruise ships have a bulb on their bow
That rounded nose makes its own wave, timed to blunt the larger wave the hull would otherwise create. The ship spends less energy shoving water around; the…
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Why train travelers wore dark clothes
Coal dust from trains could leave travelers filthy, so brown and dark gray hid the grime. White clothes could arrive looking like a coal miner’s.
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An electric car can make noise specifically for people outside it
At low speeds, an electric drivetrain produces less of the engine sound pedestrians expect. An external warning sound makes the vehicle easier to notice, even…
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Why roundabouts make deadly crashes far less likely
A roundabout replaces high-speed crossings with a curve that makes drivers slow down and travel in one direction. That cuts the chance of a car hitting…
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Your car runs on an army of computers
A modern car runs on software that manages the engine, brakes, safety systems, displays, and more. All those computers need code to coordinate, turning the…
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London's first Underground trains had no windows
The designers assumed there was nothing to see in a brick tunnel, so the 1890 carriages had no windows and were heavily upholstered. The claustrophobic ride…
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Your cello can get its own airplane seat
A cello rides in the cabin because its size and delicate body make the cargo hold a rough place to travel. It gets strapped into a purchased seat, turning the…
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Reindeer once carried Alaskan mail faster than dog teams
A US postal history records a Nome-to-Candle run completed in eight days, about half the time required by dog teams. Reindeer also worked routes hundreds of…
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Mobility scooter anti-tip wheels prevent flipping
When a scooter tips backward on a slope, its small rear anti-tip wheels touch the ground before the main frame rolls over. They’re training wheels for the…
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Why high beams can blind oncoming drivers
High beams send more light far down the road, but some of it reaches an oncoming driver’s eyes and overwhelms vision in the dark. The glare takes a moment to…
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Some airlines restrict beards because oxygen masks need a seal
Facial hair can interfere with the contact between skin and a tight-fitting oxygen mask, allowing leaks when reliable oxygen delivery matters. Airline rules…
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Why Segways make you lean forward
A Segway’s sensors catch your forward tilt and tell its motors to roll the wheels underneath you. Lean farther, and it follows; stand upright, and it stops.…
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Stomp pads offer grip for an unstrapped snowboard boot
When one boot is strapped to the board and the other is free, a stomp pad gives that loose boot something grippy to stand on. It’s a tiny patch of traction…
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When trainspotting became a British obsession
Rail enthusiasts stood by the tracks to spot locomotives and record their numbers, turning everyday train traffic into a collecting hobby. The railway…
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Tractor cabs feature heavily tinted glass to block the sun
Tinted cab windows soften the bright light pouring across exposed fields, reducing glare for the driver. The tractor still has to face the sun; at least the…
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This cruise ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall
Royal Caribbean lists Icon of the Seas at 365 meters long. That exceeds the Eiffel Tower's roughly 330-meter height, including its antenna. Turn the famous…
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How Ford Model Ts became early snowmobiles
Mail carriers converted Model Ts by replacing the front wheels with wooden skis and fitting the rear wheels with tank treads to cross snowdrifts.
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