9 Moments That Changed Transportation Forever

To prepare for the future, you must look to the past. Take a stroll with us through the vaunted halls of the transportation hall of fame.

1. The horse is domesticated (3000 B.C.)

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Phoenician #1: You think we should try to ride those things?

Phoenician #2: What, you mean the prairie monsters?

Phoenician #1: Yeah, the prairie monsters.

Phoenician #2: Sure, you go give it a shot. I'll watch. Good luck!

2. The Montgolfier Brothers create the hot air balloon, inventing air travel (1783 A.D.)

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Montgolfier #1: You think this balloon we invented could carry a human?

Montgolfier #2: Maybe, but there's no one dumb enough to let us test it on them.

Montgolfier #1: No, I know a guy. Rutherford. He'll do it.

Montgolfier #2: Really? *Sighs* All right, call him up.

3. Jean-Joseph-Étienne Lenoir invents the first practical internal-combustion engine (1859 A.D.)

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Engineer #1: You know how we love fire and things that go real fast?

Engineer #2: Bro, it is just...the best.

Engineer #1: What if we could use fire to make things go fast?

Engineer #2: You're blowing my mind right now.

4. The Transcontinental Railroad is completed (1869 A.D.)

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Passenger #1 : Now we can get from San Francisco to Cleveland in just a matter of days!

Passenger #2: Why do I want to go to Cleveland?

Passenger #1: Yeah, that's a good point.

5. The first practical automobile is designed and built (1885 A.D.)

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Rider #1: You know what I wish I had? A car.

Rider #2: Something wrong with your prairie monster?

Rider #1: No, he's fine. I just wish he had a radio and some headlights.

Rider #2: Yeah, that would be swell. Reeeeaaaallll swell.

6. Piero Puricelli constructs the Autostrade, the world's first "motorway" in Italy, modernizing roads for automobile transit (1926 A.D.)

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Mondadori / Getty Images

Senatore 1: Queste automobili sono sempre più popolari!

Senatore 2: Sì! Ma funzionano meglio su strade asfaltate!

Senatore 1: Dovremmo asfaltare più strade?

Senatore 2: Penso che dovremmo asfaltare più strade.

7. Construction begins on the American Interstate Highway System (1956 A.D.)

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Senator #1: Boy, those cars are really catching on. Seems like everyone has one.

Senator #2: They really do work better on paved roads though.

Senator #1: Should we pave some more roads?

Senator #2: I think we should pave some more roads.

8. GPS becomes widely available for civilian use (1996 A.D.)

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Computer Programmer #1: What if people didn't have to use maps to know where they were?

Computer Programmer #2: What would they use?

Computer Programmer #1: A little box attached to their windshield, or their phone.

Computer Programmer #1: No one will ever be lost again!!

Computer Programmer #2: Well...

9. Fuel cell technology dramatically lowers exhaust emissions (2014 A.D.)

Yoshikazu Tsuno / Via Getty Images

Engineer #1: We should maybe lower carbon emissions?

Engineer #2: Nah. I think we should design a really cool rear spoiler.

Engineer #1: You notice it getting warmer lately?

Engineer #2: ...Yeah, let's lower carbon emissions.

From prairie monsters to the latest in transportation fuel cell technology, we've waited a long time for the hoverboard, internetz. The wait is finally over! Find out more about the SLIDE project at Lexus' Amazing in Motion.

The next step arrives (June 24, 2015 A.D.)

Courtesy of Lexus