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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