Daily lives in the 1900's: Transport and communication
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Transport in the 1900 was developing fast, especially after the industrial revolution. Transport played a major part in Australia and the daily lives of its citizens as it delivered goods and trade, transported people from place to place and so on. The most common forms were:
Bicycles: The first pedal bicycle was invented in the 1860’s; this form of transport was very safe and became very popular in Australia. A new bicycle at about $31.00 ($1,550.00) cost the equivalent of more than seven weeks wages.
Bicycles: The first pedal bicycle was invented in the 1860’s; this form of transport was very safe and became very popular in Australia. A new bicycle at about $31.00 ($1,550.00) cost the equivalent of more than seven weeks wages.
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Animal power: Animal power mainly horses were still being used in 1900 to move people and supplies. Most of the movement of goods and passengers were away from the rail network, hence animals were used to transport load or people to their final destination. A popular company was Cobb & Co.
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Sea transport: Sailing ships were becoming less popular as more steam ships were being made. This was because steam ships were able to cross-vast bodies of water without depending on the wind. In 1900, the time taken to travel from England to Australia had been reduced from 140 days to 30 days due to the steam ship.
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Cars: In 1896, the 'Shearer' brothers built the first car in Australia. By 1910, the motorcar and the motor truck were very common in cities of the 'western' world. These engines used petrol and were more powerful than the steam engines. With introduction of cars the horse and buggy were slowly being replaced. The average cost for a car was between $200-$500. At that time the average salary for a year for a blue-collar worker was around $750.
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Trams: As the population increased, Australia became more reliant on public transport. Trams were developed in the 1800's, In Sydney, the first electric tram began operation in 1899, going down George Street to Circular Quay.
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Rail transport: The steam-powered engine was the most common form of power in the industrialised world in 1900. This was because it moved large quantities of people. However, it could only travel where tracks had been laid. At each rail station, goods and people had to be offloaded and taken to a final destination, usually by coaches. Each capital city in Australia was connected by over 4000 kilometres of railway tracks by 1900. Rail travel, despite the investment made into making rail lines, was 50% cheaper than coach travel, meaning all classes could use them. A return train trip, travelling first class, from Sydney to Penrith was 60 cents ($3.00).
Communication
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In 1901, the newly introduced Australian Constitution gave the new Government power over all postal, telegraphic, telephonic, and 'all other' communications services. The first Postmaster-General (PMG) became responsible for managing all domestic telephone, telegraph and postal services. When the department was founded there were around 33,000 phones across Australia There were already Telegraph systems put in place in the 1900's, which enabled people to communicate via telecommunication lines or radio. The Marconi wireless radio system was introduced in Australia in 1905, and marked the beginning of Australia’s broadcasting industry.