Steam Power In Victorian Era Essay

In the Victorian Era, there were many advancements in steam power. Before this era, “man relied on his own muscles and those of domesticated animals, wind, and water as sources of power” (Kras 6). Steam power was used for industry, transport, agriculture and generate electricity (Burton 3). Advancements in steam power enabled men to work more efficiently, trade goods overseas and across land faster, and provided transport for people. Steam power caused drastic changes such as people no longer worked in home or buildings with simple machines or by hand instead they worked in factories with large machinery powered by steam. In the Victorian Era, steam engines, steam boats, and locomotives contributed to the advancements of steam power. Steam
In 1844, travelling in the locomotive became a national amusement. Two years earlier, Queen Victoria rode on the locomotive making the public enthusiasm increase. Expansion of the locomotive was continuous. By 1900, 18,680 miles were in use and over 1100 passengers were carried from one place to another (Atterbury). Income increased thirty to fifty percent once the freight movements generated in the 1860s. The locomotive began to have problems such as more accidents, signaling, and risk of fire (Atterbury). Later in the 1960s, the locomotives began to slow down. Steam engines, steamboats, and locomotives during the Victorian Era contributed to the achievements of steam power. Steam engines consisted of mill engines, tractor engines, and pumping systems. Steamboats and locomotives contributed to the advancement in transporting goods and travelling more efficiently. The use of steam power impacted lives of the people by switching roles from working from home and small factories to hug factories. This played a role on the environment and people’s’ health and views. The steam power in the Victorian Era led to many new achievements in