The Caravel and the Impact of New Technologies on Transportation Systems

Posted on by

A Caravel

Transportation systems have evolved since ancient time. This continual transformation of the ways in which humans travel and transport goods is often closely tied to technological advances in the field of transportation. In many ways, the culture of a civilization is heavily influenced by the transportation technologies available to it. However, the relationship goes the other way as well. The transportation technologies present in a society are also often determined by the culture of that society.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, an iconic ship known as the Caravel largely dominated the sea-faring industries of Southwestern Europe. Although the exact origin of this ship is still debated, it had been used as an offshore fishing vessel by the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula since at least the 1200’s. The ship featured a strong Moorish influence, and its design, at least in part, may have been passed from the Islamic body of knowledge to the Western Christian societies of Spain and Portugal. This is quite possible because, as one author points out (see links below), Medieval Islamic society contributed many advances to the fields of geography, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. These important theoretical discoveries would later contribute to the success of European seafaring by forming the foundation of cutting-edge navigational techniques and other technologies.

The Caravel was a relatively small ship, especially by modern standards. The bottom of the ship protruded below the surface of the water by only a small distance, making it an extremely maneuverable watercraft. For much of its life, the Caravel featured triangular “lateen” sails that, combined with its eminent maneuverability, allowed it to sail into the wind using a zigzagging technique known as “beating to windward.” The Spanish and Portuguese soon recognized the potential of this ship, and transformed it from a simple offshore fishing vessel to the backbone of the European Age of Exploration. With the addition of square sails (to provide increased power when sailing with the wind) and other minor changes, the Caravel soon became the ship of choice for many explorers. It has been suggested that two of Columbus’s ships, the Niña and the Pinta, were Caravels optimized for transatlantic exploration.

Clearly, the Caravel revolutionized European transportation. This technology made it possible for European explorers, fishermen, and merchants to “expand their horizons,” by providing the ability to travel further, faster. One could argue that it played a major role in the rapid colonization of the New World.

However, the inverse is also true. To a large extent, the success of the Caravel was due to navigational techniques brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors, combined with the European desire for political, economic, religious, and scientific expansion.

This dichotomy holds true for many transportation-related technologies. Railroads are built to service existing towns, but the route itself often determines the development of future towns. Military conflict has served as a catalyst for the development of many advances in aviation technology that have later spilled over into the public sector. It is clear that a society’s culture and its transportation technologies are very much linked. Engineers must keep this in mind when developing new technologies for transportation systems. When designing part of a transportation system, it is important both to take inspiration from society and to recognize the changes that that technology will have upon society.

 

———————————————————————————————————————

 

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/shiplab/01George/caravela/htmls/Caravel%20History.htm

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/shiplab/01George/index.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/page/c/caravel.shtml

 

 

9,402 thoughts on “The Caravel and the Impact of New Technologies on Transportation Systems”

  19. Sri lanka Rent a Tuk Tuk

    Our company is situated in Negombo, a tourism area where you can reach easily from the International Airport at Negombo. You can have all the facilities such as accommodation, transport facilities, and rented vehicles. We provide above facilities only to foreigners. All kinds of motor cycles, Tuk Tuk and cabs are provided by us.

    If you are traveling as a group, we would arrange cabs, tour guides and the special license for driving in Sri Lanka, well before you arrive here.

    We can arrange luxury houses for long term occupation and vehicles with drivers.

    Our rent-a-car service will pick you up when you arrive at the Airport and will drop you at the Airport when you leave.

    Our rent-a-car service will provide you with comfortable vehicles to suit your budget. The rent-a-car service could arrange only a vehicle to be driven by yourself, so that you could yourself organize your tour. You will be given guidance for your tour.

    In motor cycle tours, a separate vehicle could be arranged for transporting your personal items.

    Reply ↓

  20. Rent a tuk tuk and motor bike tour service popular in Sri Lanka. We are rent for self driver new tuk tuk and bike. We also arrange Sri Lanka tuk tuk and bike self driving permit according to your international driving license. before you stating your tuk tuk tour we give the driving lessen first.

    Reply ↓

  21. We provide tuk tuk and the bike and motor bike for reasonable price. You are traveling through us, we would arrange special driving permit for driving in Sri Lanka, well before you arrive here.

    Our rent-a-tuk tuk and bike service will pick you up when you arrive at the Airport.

    Reply ↓

  36. Lightning McQueen relaxes in the dusty town of Radiator Springs with his friend, Mater Buddy, Cars 2 who is waiting for the new racing season to begin. When new challenger Franscesco Bernoulli threatens to beat him in a cross-country race.

    Reply ↓

  37. defender of peace and justice Contribute to the green ring that bestows them with special powers. Green Lantern It is under threat when the antagonist Parallax threatens to destroy them and the balance of power in the universe. Join the newest recruits The first human to ever exist, Hal, but Hal can actually save the universe.

    Reply ↓

  39. Manchester, England The Resident , 1975. George/Jehangir Khan An English Pakistani family may have been reduced in size with most of his sons walking out of the house. But his troubles were not over, his youngest son Sajid. who was bullied in school is growing stubborn and stubborn to tame him So George took him to Pakistan to spend time with his first wife.

    Reply ↓

  41. Funso Ojo has been shown a second yellow card following an incident involving a Dundee United fan last weekend. Funso Ojo FIFA rules only allow yellow cards to be revoked in the event of misidentification or simulation, meaning Ojo has been banned for Aberdeen’s game at Celtic on Sunday.

    Reply ↓

  42. England captain Harry Kane wore the rainbow armband during Euro 2020, Harry Kane while Lewis Hamilton had a Progress Pride helmet design when he won the Qatar GP; Stonewall’s Erin Williams hopes more celebrities will follow and show off their partnership, says football referee Ryan Atkin. that such actions inspire young people

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *