Historic Hood River
Birth of the Infographic?
Notes
If you thought the infographic was a creation of the internet age, think again. This clever graphic published in the Glacier in February 1899 helped communicate the magnitude of the revolution in urban transportation brought on by electric streetcars. Many (most?) people in the country hadn’t seen a streetcar yet, but they sure understood what “one horsepower” meant.
This is just 20 years after the invention of the light bulb, yet cities across the country had installed electric generation and distribution networks. Hood River was just 5 years short of having its own generator and system of electric lights.
There’s a wonderful 1928 Harold Lloyd silent film called “Speedy” about the last horse drawn streetcar in New York city. It is full of wonderful views of Manhattan in 1928, and even includes an extended cameo with Babe Ruth. It’s a great romantic comedy worth watching in its entirety with some popcorn on the long holiday weekend.
Tags: 1890s, electricity, Fun Friday, Hood River Glacier, horses, newspaper
Arlen Sheldrake
Great piece of history…my friends at the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society will enjoy this advertisement. One of the few remaining horse drawn streetcars is on display in Milwaukie.
L.E.
I don’t know if electric streetcars had much effect on teamsters, but the steam industry began to put them out of business, which led to their uniting and forming a strong transportation union.
LMH
Arthur, thank you for giving us the early Christmas present by posting the link to the Harold Lloyd movie. "Speedy" certainly does give us a good view of New York in the frantic twenties. Who would thought a forty-five cent pair of glasses would be the key to public acceptance of his character portrayals. Harold’s early career was most prolific, making over 160 films between 1915 – 1919. Granted most were one and two reelers but it does represent a tremendous amount of energy and creativeness. Lloyd’s career peaked in the late twenties, but he remained active for another twenty years. Harold Lloyd passed away in March 1971 at the age of 77.