The Porter acted as a butler on board the Pullman train. They catered to guests every need; they fixed drinks, made beds, and shined shoes.( History Channel 2014) A push of a button would notify a porter that you needed their assistance. The Pullman Porters became so popular that a song was written about their service called the Pullman Porter Man, which was written, by Stanley Murphy and Arthur E. Behim.( Murphy 1911)
There was found to be technology that was being used by The Wagner Palace Cars that was patented by the Pullman company, which led to a lawsuit in 1878( Chicago Tribune 1878) The Wagner Palace company lost the case and the Pullman Company has complete control over the sleeping car market. The Pullman Company was an unstoppable force and the train car it produced became the standard for luxury American transportation.
Pullman cars were not only used to transport the masses but also the elite. The private train car was a symbol of prestige similar to the type of status that comes with a present day private jet. Many private trains were Pullman cars; wildly wealthy men, powerful executives, and presidents utilized lavish Pullman cars for travel. By 1920’ s the Pullman cars were reaching the peak of their popularity. Over 33 Million passengers were carried on a Pullman during the year of 1929.( History Channel 2014)
The company became a monopoly in the luxury train car business. By the late 1800’ s all other sleeping car manufacturers were pushed aside, only Pullman and the Wagner Palace Car Company, a company owned by the rich Vanderbilt family, were producing sleeping cars. The Wagner Palace cars were very similar in design and style to the Pullman cars.
It would be hard to find a functioning Pullman car today. But the influence of these beautifully crafted cars can be found in many places. George Pullman ' s ingenious designs that allowed passengers to travel for long distances are used in airplane cabins, charter buses, and RVs. Spaces within theses modern day means of transportation provide space that can be transformed to accommodate the passenger, services in the form of a stewardess that wait on hand and foot for the traveler and beautiful style that encourages the passenger to comfortable while they are being transported. The Pullman cars made it possible to travel in style and comfort, a concept that is still a large concern for travelers. Without George Pullman and his revolutionary designs, passengers in the 1800-1900’ s would have to sleep on wooden bunks as they traveled. One can only imagine what transportation would be like without the invention of the Pullman sleeping car
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