• “There’s profit in Manure”, said Mr. Hill

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    In the late 1800s mass transit was born.

    Multi passenger carriages were constructed to be pulled by the animals of transport. It slowed the speed from an individual’s own carriage, but allowed for the cost of the animal to be shared by the several passengers. This crude form of mass transit evolved by using a larger bus-like carriage and this was called the streetcar.  As with dominant forms of transportation it enjoyed free reign of right-of-way.


    The McGraw-Hill Companies traces its history back to 1888 when James H. McGraw, co-founder of the company, purchased the American Journal of Railway Appliances. He continued to add further publications, one being Street Railway Car Journal, a publication for operators of city street railways drawn by horses, eventually establishing The McGraw Publishing Company in 1899. His co-founder, John A. Hill, had also produced several technical and trade publications

     

    Mr McGraw could see the growing impact and use of electricity in cities.  He envisioned the future for street railway cars being powered by electricity rather than horsepower. He wanted to change the name of the magazine to Electrified Street Railway Car Journal.  Mr Hill objected.  He said the operators of the street cars would never get rid of the horses because there was too much profit in the sale of manure!

    Mr McGraw ended the partnership and went on to build the largest book, education and publication company in the country.

    And, that is progress.

    Stearman 003

    copyright  Horse Fly Net® 2012