Comments on: Has America Lost Its Transportation Mojo? [Part 1] http://alttransport.com/2010/08/has-america-lost-its-transportation-mojo-part-1/ Your Guide to Smarter Ways of Getting Around Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:00:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Anonymous http://alttransport.com/2010/08/has-america-lost-its-transportation-mojo-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Anonymous Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:48:00 +0000 http://alttransport.com/?p=3662#comment-119 Your question is a great one, Scott. Did America ever have a transportation mojo to begin with? I would say that inventing a technology and mastering it are two very separate things. You're right to point out that the automobile was not invented in the U.S., but we subsequently set the standard for personal mobility and accessibility after WWII with the explosion of vehicle ownership and our network of highways. While it may not seem like that big of a breakthrough now, it shaped more than a half century of our history. Another place to look for America's transportation mojo would be the space shuttle program--a feat few had the money or technical ability to match, though you could definitely say that with funding cuts, our space mojo is pretty weak right now, as far as NASA is concerned. Is there anything else missing? Your question is a great one, Scott. Did America ever have a transportation mojo to begin with? I would say that inventing a technology and mastering it are two very separate things. You’re right to point out that the automobile was not invented in the U.S., but we subsequently set the standard for personal mobility and accessibility after WWII with the explosion of vehicle ownership and our network of highways. While it may not seem like that big of a breakthrough now, it shaped more than a half century of our history.

Another place to look for America’s transportation mojo would be the space shuttle program–a feat few had the money or technical ability to match, though you could definitely say that with funding cuts, our space mojo is pretty weak right now, as far as NASA is concerned.

Is there anything else missing?

]]> By: Scot Bolyard http://alttransport.com/2010/08/has-america-lost-its-transportation-mojo-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-117 Scot Bolyard Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:55:00 +0000 http://alttransport.com/?p=3662#comment-117 When did America ever have transportation mojo? America did not invent the bicycle, car, highway, or train. America invented flight and gridlock...and perfected the inter-city railcar with the PCC streetcar. China invented the wheelbarrow 500 years before Europe. And since China's population is tad bit higher, we should probably look to them for ideas on how to move the masses. When did America ever have transportation mojo? America did not invent the bicycle, car, highway, or train. America invented flight and gridlock…and perfected the inter-city railcar with the PCC streetcar. China invented the wheelbarrow 500 years before Europe. And since China’s population is tad bit higher, we should probably look to them for ideas on how to move the masses.

]]> By: re:place Magazine http://alttransport.com/2010/08/has-america-lost-its-transportation-mojo-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-46 re:place Magazine Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:57:47 +0000 http://alttransport.com/?p=3662#comment-46 [...] After 40 years, ferries thriving on S.F. Bay [San Francisco Chronicle] Has America Lost Its Transportation Mojo? [AltTransport] Reading the Evolution of Places [myurbanist] Emerging Issues: Wrestling With Jane [...] [...] After 40 years, ferries thriving on S.F. Bay [San Francisco Chronicle] Has America Lost Its Transportation Mojo? [AltTransport] Reading the Evolution of Places [myurbanist] Emerging Issues: Wrestling With Jane [...]

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