"In the mid 19th century, Americans traveled primarily by walking, horse and carriage, canal boats, and steam ships. In 1825, Rebecca Lukens took charge of the Brandywine Iron Works. As the steam age gave way to the iron age, her company produced iron for the boilers and hulls of ships and for locomotives and rails. In 1859, Martha J. Coston developed a maritime navigation system using pyrotechnics. These burning flares assisted the U.S. Navy and the navies of many European countries to communicate with and rescue shipwreck victims.
Soon, the era of the "iron horse" was upon us. During the 1800s, several women inventors made important contributions to improving safety and reducing noise pollution from trains. Early inventions included Mary I. Riggin's railway crossing gate; Eliza Murfey's lubricating systems for railroad car axles to reduce derailments; and Mary Walton's noise reduction system for elevated railroads in New York City.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the horseless carriage was causing a stir. The first American automobile, the Duryea, was developed in 1893. In 1903, Mary Anderson invented a windshield wiper to improve safety while driving in rain, sleet, and snow. By 1923, more than 175 patents were granted to women for inventions related to automobiles, traffic signals, and turn indicators.
Soon after the debut of the horseless carriage, Orville and Wilbur Wright were airborne in a motorized plane (1903). By 1911, Harriet Quimby became the first woman pilot. In 1921, Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman pilot. However, the most famous early woman aviator was Amelia Earhart, who piloted across the Atlantic in 1932. She later died during an attempt to circumnavigate the world.
The role of women in transportation and the U.S. labor force would change forever during World War II. A nationwide campaign urged women to support the war effort. Rosie the Riveter became the symbol of these working women. Women operated machinery, streetcars, buses, cranes, and tractors. Women also entered the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and the Marines.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, women were taking greater leadership roles in transportation. Elizabeth Dole was appointed Secretary of Transportation in 1983. In the same year, Carmen Turner became the General Manager of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
The year 1983 was also a turning point for women in space travel. Although American women were included in astronaut training as early as 1959, it was not until 1983, that Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Then in 1996, Astronaut Shannon Lucid set the U.S. record for continuous time in space (188 days and 4 hours)."
line such as a Metro Rapid, like the 720 for example, throw the timetable out of the bus window. They usually run without a fixed schedule to limit time held up at bus stops because ofcheckpoints.
Therefore, they either tend to bunch together like a herd of pachyderms taking over the streets—but hey, you get to pick the bus you like when they arrive—or
you have none in view, not even the single little flash of (Rapid red) paint in the distance. But, despair not! There are a lot of them, so gooooo Metro… you won’t be waiting long, unless it’s the evening, or the
buses are so crowded they don’t stop!!!
Beware that, every so often, schedules change. So make sure you check once or twice a year, though, usually, transportation agencies make announcements. With those tools in hands, you are now inching toward "pro-rider."
Now, if you have to go some-where you have never been before, use the Trip-Planner either on the agency’s website or
on your Google Maps. Yes, there is an app for that! More than one... If you are going to be commuting regularly, also know the checkpoint times, so that if the bus is behind, you can start thinking about Plan B—absolutely necessary if you are a long distance commuter, and the number of buses or trains to get you home or to work is limited. Have a plan B! C and D! Research the other routes, options and, of course, find a good place to hang out while waiting for the train because of delays.
Again, when I first started working in Orange County, 4 ½ years ago, I would often miss my train back to LA because the OCTA 21 line was always running late. Therefore, I’d be sitting at Buena
Park, like a plant in a pot, watching trains go by, counting the cars on freight trains (120—the most I’ve counted before getting really dizzy).
Then, half an hour later, I would see the Amtrak whoosh by. Holding tight onto the bench, I started wondering where that train stopped. To my greatest delight, only one station over.
Armed with a new monthly pass showing Fullerton on it instead of Buena Park, I took advantage of whatever was at my disposal. If I missed my train, the one going the opposite direction
8 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016
WOMEN'S HISTORY in TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
Have a Plan B...c & d
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/wit/page1.htm