4 ms·
I guess this kind of invention also depends on a few things outside what is technically possible: Do you have enough flat surfaces where the wheels will work i
by msh 2y ago
I guess this kind of invention also depends on a few things outside what is technically possible:
Do you have enough flat surfaces where the wheels will work in the places people travel.
How cheap and dependable can you build it without adding too much weight to the luggage.
Are there enough people traveling and carrying their own luggage for them to purchase this.
- ch4s3 2y agoMore importantly, prior to airline deregulation in the 1970s only the wealthy and business travelers were flying and someone else carried their bags for them. It is the middle class traveler who lugs their own bags.
- inglor_cz 2y agoA bag on wheels is also practical in rail or boat travel, which wasn't exactly an abode of the rich. Ever lugged a huge wheel-less piece of luggage around a big railway station? I have. It is hell.
- ch4s3 2y agoI think the difference is that flight opened up quick trips where you might want a bag with just enough clothing for a few days. I also think the 1970s also hits a point where peoples' clothing had become a good bit simpler. Wheeled bags shine in airports for carry on bags.
- inglor_cz 2y ago"I think the difference is that flight opened up quick trips where you might want a bag with just enough clothing for a few days." Traveling salespeople etc. would often go on relatively short trips, even in the steam engine era. We underestimate mobility of pre-WWII people by a lot... The point about simpler clothing is really interesting. I can imagine that this could be the crucial difference.
- ch4s3 2y agoI think there are numerous small changes that all come together at the same time. It wouldn't have taken much to build wheels into steamer trunks.
- School-Cotton 2y agoWhy wouldn’t quick trips work on surface transport? Sure, it takes a long time to go far - surely nearly nobody ever went from London to China and came back a week later until it was practical to do so on planes. But for short distances it still would have been practical. I’m guessing there were people going from London to Manchester for a few days well before the 1970s.
- Symbiote 2y agoThe railway companies in Britain built their own hotels. The first was in 1839: > The first railway hotels in London were built at Euston. Two hotels designed by Hardwick opened in 1839 on either side of the Arch; the Victoria on the west had basic facilities while the Euston on the east was designed for first-class passengers And in Manchester: > The Grand Junction Railway, Britain's first trunk line, was completed between Curzon Street railway station in Birmingham and Warrington Bank Quay railway station, Warrington, on 4 July 1837. Through trains began to convey passengers from the station to Birmingham, and a separate booking office and waiting room were provided. From 17 September 1838 there were through carriages to London Euston by some trains after completion of the London and Birmingham Railway in that year. This increase in long-distance services resulted in one of the first private railway hotels opening in Liverpool Road. Here it is: https://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour1/area1page24.html https://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour1/area1pa... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euston_railway_station#Old_station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euston_railway_station#Old_sta... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Liverpool_Road_railway_station#Growth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Liverpool_Road_rail...
- ch4s3 2y agoI think you also need travel to be available for a class of people who are both expected to change clothes every day and did not have porters carrying their luggage.
- scythe 2y agoAir travel is basically immune to terrestrial obstacles. You can fly over almost anything, even though you do have to worry about the weather.
- mcswell 2y agoNot true about flying. My family was definitely middle class, and we made several trips on jet airplanes, along with many other non-upper class people, in the mid-60s. Although perhaps I misunderstand your point--if your point is about someone else carrying the bags, maybe. But if that's the case, then why restrict it to flying, as opposed to travel by train or car?