It was once believed that traveling by train drove people crazy
In the 1850s and 1860s, the rise of the railway revolutionized travel, offering unprecedented speed and efficiency. However, amid this technological progress, the more fearful Victorians harbored concerns about the potential toll on mental health.
According to Edwin Fuller Torrey and Judy Miller in “The Invisible Plague: The Rise of Mental Illness from 1750 to the Present,” trains were believed to pose a threat to mental well-being. The jarring motion of the train was thought to have the capacity to unhinge the mind, potentially leading to madness or triggering violent outbursts in even the sanest individuals. The combination of this motion with the cacophony of train car noise was believed to have the potential to shatter nerves.
Join us as we delve into this intriguing aspect of Victorian history, exploring the paradox of technological advancement and the fears it instilled in the minds of those who experienced the dawn of the railway era.
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