Car vs. Horses

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In the 19th century, most people resided in rural communities, where on an average, life of human was difficult, as the income source was limited resulting in malnourishment and diseases. People produced bulk of their food, clothes, furniture and tools. Most manufacturing was done in homes or rural shops with the use hand tools or simple machines. These are just some of the major factors that gave birth to “Industrial Revolution” in Britain.

 

Additionally, Britain was also one of the most politically established nation, as well as the world’s leading colonial power, which indirectly meant that its colonies could serve as a source for raw materials, as well as a marketplace for the manufactured goods.

 

As demand for British goods increased, merchants needed more cost-effective methods of production and transportation, which led to the rise of mechanization, the factory system and evolution of more durable transport system.

 
In early years of the 19th century and even before that, horses were essential for war, agriculture, and transport. Horses continues to be preferred because of the necessity to ride long distances over uncertain roads. People opted to walk for smaller distances and hired horses to travel long distance journeys. Also, the raw materials and finished goods were hauled and distributed via horse-drawn wagons, and by boats along canals and rivers.

 
However, with industrialization, emanated the invention of steam locomotives and it’s applications in public transport system. With the success of steam engines, horse-drawn wagons were soon replaced by the steam-powered ships and trains in Britain by the year 1830. Additionally, around the year 1820, a Scottish engineer developed a new process for road construction. His technique, resulted in roads that were smoother, more durable and less muddy.
 

The massive shift amongst the people and the society, the paradigm shift from older technologies to adopting newer technologies, there came the awareness of replacing horse-driven carts with horseless engine-driven cars.
 
When there could be roads and steam engines by the year 1830, will it be injustice to think there could be engine-driven cars by the year 1883 on the roads of Britain!

 

 
Now let’s imagine, you are a rich billionaire in Britain in the year 1883 who wants to invest the money in a transport company. And if I give you two options – you could invest in a company that manufacture cars to sell for public use or a company that sell horses for public use.

 
Few points to keep in mind in the above scenario is that these horses live longer, get sick less often, have same autonomy as cars (same speed) and could be used for multiple purposes. On the other hand, cars could be improved and upgraded over time, and has less maintenance costs.
 

Which company would you prefer to invest the money?
 

Join the battle in room A103 on 07-Nov-2017 at 2 PM to put forth your opinions and comments 🙂
 

Image Source: Google.

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