The common school, always opposed by the Papacy, has afforded a means of general education and increase of knowledge for people in all walks of life.

Colleges and universities have sprung up throughout the world.

With the increase of knowledge on various lines have come the numerous inventions that man now has, time-and labor-saving machines, etc.
[405]Before 1799 the means of transportation were such that a man could travel only a short distance in a day.

He must go either by a vehicle drawn by horses or oxen, or afoot; and when he would cross the sea he must go in a sailboat that made little progress.

In 1831 the first locomotive steam engine was invented.