== Nye ==

== Nye ==

It is interesting to note that when Nye discusses the reason for the streetcar's demise, he states that a major reason is the consolidation of the companies. The consolidation raises rates, because there is no competition. This is also the reason for the lessening amounts of investment. In these suburbs and cities, they are the only provider. Therefore, in order to increase revenues, they will lower the cost of production/investment. ~~Kyle Allwine

It is interesting to note that when Nye discusses the reason for the streetcar's demise, he states that a major reason is the consolidation of the companies. The consolidation raises rates, because there is no competition. This is also the reason for the lessening amounts of investment. In these suburbs and cities, they are the only provider. Therefore, in order to increase revenues, they will lower the cost of production/investment. ~~Kyle Allwine

When discussing the social outcomes of the streetcars, Nye states "its tracks pushed through the existing social fabric, pulling apart the urban structure..." The automobile will do this as well and to a much greater degree. It will be possible for suburbs to be farther and farther away pushing the classes farther apart. Eventually, the taxes are so low and the revenues are so low for the streetcars that public transportation becomes unbearable. The automobile helped push the streetcar out of the cities, while pulling apart the classes of people.  ~~Kyle Allwine

When discussing the social outcomes of the streetcars, Nye states "its tracks pushed through the existing social fabric, pulling apart the urban structure..." The automobile will do this as well and to a much greater degree. It will be possible for suburbs to be farther and farther away pushing the classes farther apart. Eventually, the taxes are so low and the revenues are so low for the streetcars that public transportation becomes unbearable. The automobile helped push the streetcar out of the cities, while pulling apart the classes of people.  ~~Kyle Allwine

"Later, when street congestion worsened, such reasoning led to the idea that since automobiles were fast and speeded up traffic flow, the slower trolley cars must be responsible for traffic jams."  Apparently, there must be a lot of trolley cars in the area that we are unaware of.  Wasn't there talk in recent years of Washington DC bringing back a form of a Trolly/street Car system?  - Matthew Beere

'''"Later, when street congestion worsened, such reasoning led to the idea that since automobiles were fast and speeded up traffic flow, the slower trolley cars must be responsible for traffic jams."  Apparently, there must be a lot of trolley cars in the area that we are unaware of.''' Wasn't there talk in recent years of Washington DC bringing back a form of a Trolly/street Car system?  - Matthew Beere

Nye discusses how the automobile differed from public transportation like the subway, in terms of separating the different social classes. Nye goes into further detail, discussing how by the 1920’s, the type of transportation you chose revealed a lot about your social standing and your position in society. Have things really changed today? The type of car one drives still serves as a strong symbol of social status, and public transportation isn’t exactly considered a luxury. However, it isn’t as if all poor people only use public transportation and all rich people only drive expensive luxury cars. I had never actually experienced any real form of public transportation (besides school buses and airplanes) until I visited New York City when I was sixteen years old; it was an eye-opening experience. I learned that the subway is actually incredibly diverse. I saw men and women in expensive business suits, people whom looked like they were blue-collar workers, and people whom looked homeless. However, I still feel that to this day, the way in which one travels to their job or anywhere else in their life is very indicative of their social status.  For instance, if I were raised in a very wealthy family in Washington, D.C., would I really feel the need to ride the bus around the city in order to get to the places that I needed to go? Or would I simply drive the convertible BMU that my parents got me for my sixteenth birthday? Similar to clothes and the type of home one owns, so many people are concerned with obtaining the most socially impressive automobile in order to maintain a respectable place in society. It is this fact that makes me believe that all in all, things have not really changed much since the 1920’s, in terms of the correlation between social status and the type of automobile one drives. The streetcar’s significance in the early twentieth century extended far beyond being just an innovation in the efficiency of transportation; it served as an entirely new way to establish one’s place in society. ~Kevin Gottschalk

'''Nye discusses how the automobile differed from public transportation like the subway, in terms of separating the different social classes. Nye goes into further detail, discussing how by the 1920’s, the type of transportation you chose revealed a lot about your social standing and your position in society. Have things really changed today?''' The type of car one drives still serves as a strong symbol of social status, and public transportation isn’t exactly considered a luxury. However, it isn’t as if all poor people only use public transportation and all rich people only drive expensive luxury cars. I had never actually experienced any real form of public transportation (besides school buses and airplanes) until I visited New York City when I was sixteen years old; it was an eye-opening experience. I learned that the subway is actually incredibly diverse. I saw men and women in expensive business suits, people whom looked like they were blue-collar workers, and people whom looked homeless. However, I still feel that to this day, the way in which one travels to their job or anywhere else in their life is very indicative of their social status.  For instance, if I were raised in a very wealthy family in Washington, D.C., would I really feel the need to ride the bus around the city in order to get to the places that I needed to go? Or would I simply drive the convertible BMU that my parents got me for my sixteenth birthday? Similar to clothes and the type of home one owns, so many people are concerned with obtaining the most socially impressive automobile in order to maintain a respectable place in society. It is this fact that makes me believe that all in all, things have not really changed much since the 1920’s, in terms of the correlation between social status and the type of automobile one drives. The streetcar’s significance in the early twentieth century extended far beyond being just an innovation in the efficiency of transportation; it served as an entirely new way to establish one’s place in society. ~Kevin Gottschalk

I thought that this reading was quite interesting in that there were numerous reasons as to why the streetcar failed, especially with the impact that the automobile had on it. One quote that struck me was, "Later, when street congestion worsened, such reasoning led to the idea that since automobiles were fast and speeded up traffic flow, the slower trolley cars must be responsible for traffic jams" (p 136). Many of the overcrowding streets were constantly being blamed on the streetcars, but even after the cars changed moved away from rail and had rubber wheels? Why did the trolley car continue to fail after improvements were made upon it? -Claire Brooks

I thought that this reading was quite interesting in that there were numerous reasons as to why the streetcar failed, especially with the impact that the automobile had on it. One quote that struck me was, "Later, when street congestion worsened, such reasoning led to the idea that since automobiles were fast and speeded up traffic flow, the slower trolley cars must be responsible for traffic jams" (p 136). Many of the overcrowding streets were constantly being blamed on the streetcars, but even after the cars changed moved away from rail and had rubber wheels? Why did the trolley car continue to fail after improvements were made upon it? -Claire Brooks

Even though cars were being made, because of the large expenditure of the rails they would have gone out of business anyway.  The innovations in streetcar designs were still being made.  Were they hoping it would make a comeback?  If the innovations made were better, I wonder why they still could not make it!?  ---Pam Petzold

Even though cars were being made, because of the large expenditure of the rails they would have gone out of business anyway.  The innovations in streetcar designs were still being made.  Were they hoping it would make a comeback?  If the innovations made were better, I wonder why they still could not make it!?  ---Pam Petzold

I think it is interesting the author compares the decline of the streetcar to the automobile to mentioning the decline of other transportation systems, such as the railroads. In my opinion, in no way do I believe railroads are the fastest means or the most efficient way, but I do believe that railroads were much more significant to American history than streetcars. While streetcars had large profits in the earlier years, like the railroad, Americans found more efficient ways of transportation, allowing the first use of major transportation from one city to the next, cutting valuable time to get to the destination.  Railroads in America affected very day life; however the streetcar was an invention that only helped improve other American technologies in the future. – Megan Gallagher

'''I think it is interesting the author compares the decline of the streetcar to the automobile to mentioning the decline of other transportation systems, such as the railroads. In my opinion, in no way do I believe railroads are the fastest means or the most efficient way, but I do believe that railroads were much more significant to American history than streetcars.''' While streetcars had large profits in the earlier years, like the railroad, Americans found more efficient ways of transportation, allowing the first use of major transportation from one city to the next, cutting valuable time to get to the destination.  Railroads in America affected very day life; however the streetcar was an invention that only helped improve other American technologies in the future. – Megan Gallagher

I feel like due to the size of the United States public transport, such as these streetcars, never stood a chance once automobiles were developed. The wide expanse of the country made the public transport more difficult than the (relatively) compact European continent. When it came to cities in the US the poor planning caused streetcars to not be used as effectively as they could have been. -Megan Mc.

I feel like due to the size of the United States public transport, such as these streetcars, never stood a chance once automobiles were developed. The wide expanse of the country made the public transport more difficult than the (relatively) compact European continent. When it came to cities in the US the poor planning caused streetcars to not be used as effectively as they could have been. -Megan Mc.

== Pursell ==

== Pursell ==

The 26 questions to decide whether the engineering profession is right seem to be applicable questions to ask even today. By looking at these questions and studying them, one can determine the objectives, goals, and processes used by engineers in the early 20th century.  ~~Kyle Allwine

'''The 26 questions to decide whether the engineering profession is right seem to be applicable questions to ask even today. By looking at these questions and studying them, one can determine the objectives, goals, and processes used by engineers in the early 20th century'''.  ~~Kyle Allwine

An interesting point I found in the Waddell’s section on Vocational Guidance was how it was essential to the safety and prosperity of the community that engineers be naturally qualified and of good character.  Yes, professionals need to be considered carefully, and certainly engineers have a direct effect on the community, but does the safety prosperity of the community truly rely on the natural qualifications and moral character of its workers?  I think, in fact, it partially does, because we saw an example of this with the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.  There was corruption from Boss Tweed, the faulty cables, and substandard building with not digging completely down to bedrock.  However, the Brooklyn Bridge still safely stands and proved a prosperous investment for Manhattan and Brooklyn.  I thought, though the list of questions was particularly interesting as a way of determining abilities and potential in hopeful engineers.  Was this applied to other professions?   

An interesting point I found '''in the Waddell’s section on Vocational Guidance was how it was essential to the safety and prosperity of the community that engineers be naturally qualified and of good character.  Yes, professionals need to be considered carefully, and certainly engineers have a direct effect on the community, but does the safety prosperity of the community truly rely on the natural qualifications and moral character of its workers?''' I think, in fact, it partially does, because we saw an example of this with the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.  There was corruption from Boss Tweed, the faulty cables, and substandard building with not digging completely down to bedrock.  However, the Brooklyn Bridge still safely stands and proved a prosperous investment for Manhattan and Brooklyn.  I thought, though the list of questions was particularly interesting as a way of determining abilities and potential in hopeful engineers.  Was this applied to other professions?   

--Sara Krechel

--Sara Krechel

Sinclair claims, “The proofs of that maturation . . . were the readiness of engineers to assume a leading role in the solution of the world’s economic and social problems” (148).  This statement represents the aspect of technology that it should fulfill a need of society.  For example, Thomas Edison created an electrical system through the incandescent lamp.  Sinclair is arguing that engineers create objects that resolve problems in society.  Geoffrey Bennet states, “Kodak had correctly judged that the new generation wanted smaller, easy-to-load and easy-to-use camera . . . . The system was the perfect technical and practical answer to the need, truly in the spirit of George Eastman’s famous slogan, ‘You press the button, we do the rest’” (141).  Eastman made it easy for the common person to take a picture and have the company develop the image. –Samantha W.

Sinclair claims, “The proofs of that maturation . . . were the readiness of engineers to assume a leading role in the solution of the world’s economic and social problems” (148).  This statement represents the aspect of technology that it should fulfill a need of society.  For example, Thomas Edison created an electrical system through the incandescent lamp.  Sinclair is arguing that engineers create objects that resolve problems in society.  Geoffrey Bennet states, “Kodak had correctly judged that the new generation wanted smaller, easy-to-load and easy-to-use camera . . . . The system was the perfect technical and practical answer to the need, truly in the spirit of George Eastman’s famous slogan, ‘You press the button, we do the rest’” (141).  Eastman made it easy for the common person to take a picture and have the company develop the image. –Samantha W.

Waddell notes, “Many young men are graduating from engineering colleges who should have never entered them-and the sooner their mistakes are rectified the better.  It would be much preferable if they had never commenced the study of engineering, and if the requirements of the colleges had been much more severe and the duration of their instruction longer” (156).  Engineering colleges today are much more competitive and selective than in earlier decades.  However, is Waddell being fair that graduates of engineering colleges never should have applied in the first place?  Were the lower standards really producing incompetent engineers? –Samantha W.

Waddell notes, “Many young men are graduating from engineering colleges who should have never entered them-and the sooner their mistakes are rectified the better.  It would be much preferable if they had never commenced the study of engineering, and if the requirements of the colleges had been much more severe and the duration of their instruction longer” (156).  '''Engineering colleges today are much more competitive and selective than in earlier decades.  However, is Waddell being fair that graduates of engineering colleges never should have applied in the first place?  Were the lower standards really producing incompetent engineers?''' –Samantha W.

This section was very interesting. Waddell comments that he thinks there should be better qualified engineers and that the education leading up to becoming a successful engineer needs to be more rigorous. I think that with an increasing population and thus increasing competition for the job that it has become more competitive, just not necessarily because the field required better applicants. The questions that were suggested also seemed extremely universal and relevant. Those questions are good, it seems, regardless of the time and can even be twisted to become relevant for other fields. --Meagan B.

This section was very interesting. Waddell comments that he thinks there should be better qualified engineers and that the education leading up to becoming a successful engineer needs to be more rigorous. I think that with an increasing population and thus increasing competition for the job that it has become more competitive, just not necessarily because the field required better applicants. The questions that were suggested also seemed extremely universal and relevant. Those questions are good, it seems, regardless of the time and can even be twisted to become relevant for other fields. --Meagan B.

Bennett’s article contains two photographs that capture towns and their events.  One is during the day and shows the daily activities of a town.  Another is at night and shows all of the houses lit up and all of the boats tied down.  They are more modern photographs and have vivid colors.  On page 146 there are photographs from the 1950’s that are still in color and are a great improvement in color film.  The film/digital camera industry has made great technological improvements, but what comes after digital cameras?  –Samantha W.

Bennett’s article contains two photographs that capture towns and their events.  One is during the day and shows the daily activities of a town.  Another is at night and shows all of the houses lit up and all of the boats tied down.  They are more modern photographs and have vivid colors.  On page 146 there are photographs from the 1950’s that are still in color and are a great improvement in color film.  The film/digital camera industry has made great technological improvements, but what comes after digital cameras?  –Samantha W.

The sheer quantity of models developed is staggering. Just as impressive, though, is that for many of those new and more expensive models, vital aspects of photography--such as the quality and clarity of the resulting photo--would not be improved, and would oftentimes decrease in quality in successive products. The idea that even moderate success could be claimed by a product that produced poorer images than its predecessors is surprising, but there were instances in which just that happened. The drive to make the camera smaller, more portable, and more attractive actually decreased its ability to perform its function. --NIcole S

'''The sheer quantity of models developed is staggering. Just as impressive, though, is that for many of those new and more expensive models, vital aspects of photography--such as the quality and clarity of the resulting photo--would not be improved, and would oftentimes decrease in quality in successive products. The idea that even moderate success could be claimed by a product that produced poorer images than its predecessors is surprising, but there were instances in which just that happened. The drive to make the camera smaller, more portable, and more attractive actually decreased its ability to perform its function.''' --NIcole S

In this excerpt Bennet writes about the history of coloured photography from the time that artists were painting in the colour on the photos as early as the 1800's.  Colour has always been a necessary part of photography.  We see too the drive to continually improve the camera to make it a motre sellable product.  Sometimes we see though that perhaps this had a negative effect on the actual quality of the photo.  We continue to attemp to achieve even greater heights in technological advancement, but like Samantha stated what will really come after digital? or have we reached a peak? Sheri Foster

In this excerpt Bennet writes about the history of coloured photography from the time that artists were painting in the colour on the photos as early as the 1800's.  Colour has always been a necessary part of photography.  We see too the drive to continually improve the camera to make it a motre sellable product.  Sometimes we see though that perhaps this had a negative effect on the actual quality of the photo.  We continue to attemp to achieve even greater heights in technological advancement, but like Samantha stated what will really come after digital? or have we reached a peak? Sheri Foster