Transport
Discover facts about transport. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Transport
Leather saddles evenly distribute massive rider weight
Sitting bareback on an equine spine is profoundly painful for both parties involved. By inventing a solid wooden tree wrapped in thick hides, humans finally…
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Sleighs gracefully glide entirely on polished runners
Instead of sinking deep into powder, a perfectly designed winter cart rests on narrow strips of polished metal or waxed wood. This simple alteration entirely…
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The bizarre bed carried between two mules
If having sweaty humans carry your wooden box felt too pathetic, you could string it between two miserable equines. One walked in front and one firmly behind,…
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Why hippos make terrible pack animals
Anyone delusional enough to try turning a river beast into a pack animal immediately regrets the decision. These incredibly aggressive tanks of the animal…
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Why balsa reed boats eventually sink
Crafted by tying massive bundles of dried reeds together, these impressive vessels float beautifully right up until they don't. The plant matter relentlessly…
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Road trips are a surprisingly modern invention
Hitting the open road for fun is a surprisingly modern luxury. Before the interstate system was paved in the 1950s, driving between states meant navigating…
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The tiny houses once strapped to elephants
Simply sitting on a massive grey giant lacks terrible pretension, so elites securely strapped tiny wooden houses onto their backs. Decked out with lush…
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Why some motorists slept in their cars
Before the rise of modern rest stops and motels, pulling over to snooze in the back seat was often a protective measure. Marginalized drivers frequently…
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Log driving involved balancing on floating timber
To get freshly chopped wood downstream, burly men would simply toss thousands of logs into the water and hop on top. Armed with giant spiked poles, they…
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Pack goats can carry supplies up steep cliffs
Because hauling a giant backpack up a terrifying mountain is simply for peasants, clever hikers completely offload the burden onto annoyed livestock. These…
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Human chains efficiently pass endless buckets
When running back and forth is too exhausting, humans simply stand in a long line and aggressively hand things to the person next to them. This method was the…
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Whips directed stubborn pack mules over mountain passes
Not designed to inflict horrible pain, the loud cracking noise of braided leather was simply meant to startle annoying livestock. When a mule aggressively…
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The illegal race born as a protest against speed limits
The most infamous cross-country speed record started as an angry middle finger to speed limits. A frustrated automotive journalist organized the illegal dash…
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Elephants hauled massive timber trunks daily
Why invent complex machinery when you can just ask a giant mammal to pick up a tree? These highly intelligent creatures utilized their incredibly strong…
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Travel bingo was patented in the 1940s for road trips
Marking off squares for a cow, a silo, or a speed limit sign was actually patented genius. A clever inventor created the slide-window cardboard grids so…
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Wooden yokes balance twin buckets over shoulders
Carrying heavy water by hand is miserable, so humans carved massive wooden beams to wear like cattle. Placing a heavy bucket on each side perfectly balances…
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How ancient builders hollowed out giant canoes
Chopping out the middle of a massive tree is utterly exhausting, so ancient builders just set the inside on fire. By carefully controlling the blaze and…
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Why traditional kayaks sealed paddlers in
Early cold-water paddlers crafted incredibly tight wooden frames and entirely covered them in stitched animal hides. They fitted so tightly around the waist…
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Jonboats float flawlessly in terribly shallow rivers
For those rivers that are essentially damp mudflats, standard hulls are entirely worthless. These completely square, hilariously flat vessels simply glide…
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The one-arm swim that leaves you exhausted
When no boat is available, you simply paddle aggressively with one arm while hoisting your precious belongings high above the rushing water. This incredibly…
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Bumper stickers were invented in 1946 by a printer
Before the 1940s, people had to express their terrible opinions in person. A clever silk screen printer changed the world by combining surplus military…
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Did a German automaker popularize Punch Buggy
Violently assaulting your siblings in the back seat of a sedan was basically endorsed by a German automaker. While kids claim they invented the game of…
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Ancient wheelbarrows could carry six passengers
Long before they were relegated to hauling dirt, giant wheelbarrows were the public transit of the ancient East. A single operator would balance several…
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Postilions rode one of the pulling horses directly
Instead of sitting on a driver's box, a postilion would sit bareback on the left-rear horse of a carriage team. It offered better control over the animals but…
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