This last week I’ve been thinking about travel, and how people get from point A to Point B. So, this week’s Thursday Thirteen is on the topic of modes of transportation. I’ll warn you now that the facts are extra random this week. What is the most unusual vehicle you’ve traveled in?
13 Modes of Transportation/13 Random Facts:
1. Automobile – Did you know that the NYPL Digital Gallery has a collection of Manufacturers’ Catalogs from the First Decade of American Automobiles?
2. Dirigible – One kind of dirigible is a Zeppelin (originally a trademark, but now in more common usage.) Did you know that there is now a company offering Zeppelin rides out of The SF Bay Area’s own Moffat Field? (I need to start saving up.)
3. Seaplane – Apparently, the first seaplane was called a “Hydravion.” It has it’s first successful water take-off on March 28, 1910.
4. Submarine – The first submarine used in warfare was called the “Turtle” and not successful in its attempt to sink a British Warship during the Revolutionary War.
5. Space Shuttle – Reusable space ships! Such an idea! In 1981, the first Space Shuttle blasted off. Seven months later, it did it again.
6. Catamaran – A catamaran is a kind of ship with more than one hull. The Victoria Clipper IV
is one such ship. (It departs from Port Angeles, Twilight fans.)
7. Hot Air Balloon – Joseph and Etienne Mongolfier were the fathers of hot air ballooning. They called their early balloons “aerostats.” I’ve always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon. Sigh.
8. Locomotive – The Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1869. The twin to the famous “Golden Spike” was on display at the California State Railroad Museum not that long ago.
9. Unicycle – Mostly I’ve included a Unicycle on this list so I could mention that I once knew I guy who rode a unicycle to and from school.
10. Hovercraft – Christopher Cockerell invented the hovercraft in 1956.
11. Dog Sled – The Iditarod is an 1150 mile-long dog sled race across treacherous terrain.
12. Segway – A Segway was featured in the video for Weird Al Yankovic’s song White and Nerdy and the Doctor Who episode “The Runaway Bride” featured three.
13. Motorcycle – The Indian motorcycle company was started back in 1900. Their first prototype was ready by 1901. After a long history of ups and downs, Indian is back again.
Sources:
* Ballooning by Phyllis J. Perry
* Classic Motorcycles by Peter Henshaw
* Space Shuttles by Robin Kerrod
* Submarines by C. J. Norman
I would like to try riding/driving a Segway. I see the security guards in the mall I visit using one and I always want to ask,”Can I try that a minute?” Happy TT!
1) My grandfather’s first car (that I know of) was a Model A Ford
I’d love to take a long train trip: Orient Express, the Trans-Siberian, or the one across Canada. 
2) My mom grew up in Brooklyn, and watched the Hindenburg sail past her apartment, less than an hour before it exploded.
3) My grandfather once worked on designing the air conditioning/ventilation for submarines.
Happy TT.
Brenda, wouldn’t that be cool?
Hi Ann! *is impressed* I want to take a long train trip, too.
That was not only educational, it was fun as well. Thanks!
I’m glad you liked it, Joyce. Thanks for stopping by.