SteemAlive Presents: ProWritersHub (W2) - rewarding a team of dedicated contest writers | Topic 9: Technology in transportation - the ancient and modern forms of it

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Locomotion, otherwise known in common parlance as movement, is an important characteristic of every living organism, human beings inclusive. Living things like animals and humans move from one place to the other in the search for food, reproduction and to flee danger. Before now, the ancient forms of transportation took place on only land and sea. The primitive men undoubtedly had to trek long distances or ride-on animals. In some societies, prominent figures like kings, chiefs and members of their households were being carried about by their slaves. The vehicle known as “amọ̀ck” by the Ibibios was constructed to be carried by two or more persons on both sides. However, not all regions were sandy and green as such humans crafted logs into rafts, canoes and simple boats which were used on smaller water bodies.

How has technology changed air, land and sea transportation?

Land
The advancement of technology brought about the invention of bicycles, railways, carts like dearborn etc. These vehicles were media used in moving people and goods from one geographical point to the other. Sadly though, they had their limitations. They were slow, not able to carry bulky loads and required other energies from humans and animals. This gave rise to the manufacturing of cars, omnibuses, heavy-duty trucks, earth moving equipment. But not all grounds are levelled and green. How then did transportation take place?

Air

Issachar, the flying man once attempted to reach the sky by glueing the feathers he obtained from birds to his skin with candle wax. What happened was that as he drew closer to the sun, its heat melted the candle wax. It doesn't matter whether this story is true or it is only a mean myth, what matters is that Issachar's fall rose man's desire to discover other means of flying like a bird. Cable cars used in mountainous areas were built. Aside from this, parachutes, jets, aeroplanes and helicopters served as a means of sport and transportation. A remarkable invention is a spaceship like the rocket which is a vehicle that flies in space. This means of transportation is expensive but fast and reliable although, in a situation where there is a crash, the result is usual drastic as it leads to fatality.

Sea

The sea which is one of the oldest forms of water transportation got influenced by the new wave of change. Speedboats, yachts, ships and other large water vessels substituted the rafts, canoes and simple boats.

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In a city like Uyo, the most common modern transportation available include:

• Cars: This automobile serves two purposes. First, it can be a private vehicle or a public enclosed passenger vehicle like a taxi.

• Omnibuses: Examples include the minibus, coaster bus and Macropolo bus. The minibus is used mainly for commercial purposes while the others are either used to convey people to a far distant place like other local government areas or states in Nigeria.

• Tricycles or Keke Napep: Keke is a three-wheeled vehicle with a seat behind designed for just three average-bodied human beings or two plus-sized persons. Tricycles are made to ply some certain routes around the city which are destined specially for them to decongest traffic on the road. Those without a private vehicle either use the minibus or the tricycle to commute to their different destinations.

• Trucks and tankers
  These large vehicles carry heavy and bulky goods. Trucks transport goods like sand, gravel, agricultural produce etc while tankers carry premium motor spirits and other liquid or gaseous petroleum products. They ply express roads but not streets and lanes.

• Airplanes: Ibom air is the only airport in Uyo at the moment. It has a fleet of seven aircraft at the moment and transports people and goods to other major cities. It is yet to begin international travels.

Each of these vehicles is operated by premium motor spirits. The gases they release are harmful to humans. In the long run, this gas has a deleterious effect on the earth as it brings about ozone depletion thus, global warming. Most parts of the aforementioned vehicles are usually not recyclable or easy to be converted to biogas.

Final Thoughts

In recent times, environmentalists are raising awareness of the adverse effects fuel-operated vehicles have on man and his environment. The common suggestion is resolving to clean renewable energy — solar. This idea is very much welcomed. On my part, I will recommend that bicycles should be owned by every home. Also, vehicles that can be operated by both electricity produced from and solar should be invented. Finally, larger public vehicles like buses should be made to ply the road instead of tricycles. This way, it will decongest traffic and reduce resources spent on transporting people nationwide.