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

 

 

19,944 thoughts on “The Caravel and the Impact of New Technologies on Transportation Systems”

  8. Great article and very much for your share.

    Lapisan epoxy lantai salah satu metode terbaik untuk membuat lantai beton menjadi lebih kuat dan tahan lama karena kandungan yang terdapat di dalamnya bersifat hardenes dan resin. Untuk memproses pekerjaan tersebut bisa Anda gunakan jasa epoxy lantai sebagai solusi terbaik dalam penanganan penyakit tersebut.

    Reply ↓

  13. banquet halls in Peeragarhi , Looking for Best Banquet Halls in Peeragarhi Hall 3. Peeragarhi, Delhi. 500-800 guests · Hall 3 at Casa Royal Banquet is best for occasions: ; Le Grand Banquet. Peeragarhi, Delhi. upto 600 guests

    Reply ↓

  28. Fear and feeling embarrassed and ashamed of not mastering the problems in the presence of others in the math class
    Most of the students are afraid and stressed because of the teacher’s questioning them in front of other children and not mastering the issues, they will feel embarrassed and ashamed. The characteristics of good math teaching is to recognize these weaknesses of students

    Reply ↓

  29. Are You Looking to Buy Amazon AWS Account this is the right place for you? You can buy an AWS account from here with a 12-month trial account, The best-selling website for amazon AWS accounts. We offer high vCPU with a creditable AWS account.
    Our delivery time is very low, you can get your account in a short time after the order. So get an amazon AWS account today.

    Reply ↓

  35. Hey guys, thanks for sharing this beautiful blog. You are such a great person. If you think about traveling in Azerbaijan, you can travel with Azeri visa. The visa process is so simple that you can apply for it yourself. It only takes a few minutes to implement.

    Reply ↓

  36. Used computer cases, along with stock monitors, were the first generation of personal computers that gradually became available to the public. At the beginning, there were tower-sized cases and monitors with CRT technology on the tech market. With the passage of time and the advancement of technology, stock cases and used monitors of various sizes and functions have made their way to commercial desks and homes. Famous companies in the world of technology such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc., whose names we know today as the biggest brands of computer equipment manufacturers, have been producing updated cases and monitors for years. They are also instrumental in the emergence of new technologies.

    For more information on how to buy case stock(خرید کیس استوک), visit Noor Stock website.

    Reply ↓

  38. Really exited article. Nice reading this and enjoyed a lot. Thanks for this wonderful post.
    Get funded by our nationwide network of alternative, boutique and specialized lenders. Receive your funds as fast as 24 hours upon approval. Learn more zagfi.com

    Reply ↓

  48. Vohey Turizm olarak Airport Transfer hizmetleri sunuyoruz. Airport Transfer hizmetlerimiz hakkında daha fazla detay almak için bize ulaşın. 7/24 müşteri temsilcimiz ile iletişime geçebilirsiniz.

    Reply ↓

  49. مایکروسافت روش جدیدی برای وصل کردن 2 سرفیس به همدیگر ارائه کرده است که توضیح می دهد چگونه دو سرفیس پرو 4 را می توانید با استفاده از کانکتوری که دارای دو کانکتور یکسره است از طریق سوکت کانکتور کیبورد به یکدیگر وصل کنید !

    وصل کردن 2 سرفیس پرو4 به همدیگر

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

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