Immeditorial: the Wrights and Subway Accidents
99 Years Ago October 23rd, 2006Here’s another look into history, 99 years ago.
It is likely that the French have sealed their own fates in their slow negotiations with the Wrights, for the brothers have withdrawn their proposal and taken their aeroplane to Berlin. Discussions have begun with a military arm of that government. I cannot imagine that this is a very good thing if ever Europe should find itself at war again, which is likely, considering their dispositions.
I am increasingly worried over the deaths our new modes of transportation are causing. In August, the Times reported over 40 deaths involving cars (those of the railroad and the Subway in our four counties of the city). More than 50 deaths occurred in September! In addition to this, over ten people suffered cracked skulls, and almost ten enduredtions (I am not positve whether these amputations transpired before, during, or after the accidents). The numbers are increasing since the opening in 1904. Too many people, I think, are expiring in the name of progress. If only the convenience of the Subway could be mimicked by the horse and buggy! For me, I prefer my feet to either.
October 24th, 2006 at 11:43 pm
By the nineteen-sixties, every family will possess its own airplane.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
I think, Tab, that you are correct on that account. Of course, the nineteen-forties will be plagued by a bread famine at the current pace that the world is consuming bread. If the world can make it through this dire prediction (my solution is rice) then possibly technology will not be hindered in its attempts at bringing aeroplanes to the masses.
But think! So many accidents now with trains and the Subway. And just a few days ago, a horse carriage was scared by a passing automobile and almost killed several geriatrics. What if it had been an aeroplane to scare the horse? The world is changing . . . I’m not sure for better or worse.