John Paul M. Joaquin Culture 10.19.2022 21:Oct PM EDT

George M. Pullman Death Anniversary: 5 Things You Didn't Know About the Inventor of the Pullman Sleeping Car

When we think of trains, we usually think of metro rail transits that take us from one part of a city to another or one country to another, as is the case of the European Union.

However, back in the mid to late 1800s, trains were considered the fastest mode of transportation available to man aside from horse-drawn carriages. Unfortunately, despite its speed, traveling by train at the time could be uncomfortable, even at the best of times.

One man, an inventor no less, came up with a solution that defined luxury travel at that time.

Here's what you need to know about George M. Pullman.

Pullman Was A New Yorker

George Mortimer Pullman was born on March 3, 1831, in Brocton, New York, and was the third of the ten children of James Lewis And Emily Caroline Pullman, per Study.com.

Pullman's family belonged to the working class of the time, thanks to his father switching professions from being a farmer to a carpenter, which was more lucrative at the time.

Despite that, he stopped attending school to work in the general store run by his mother's uncle, which was the Minton and Buck General Store. Pullman earned $40 a month during his tenure there until he moved into Albion to join his family after his father was assigned to work on the Erie Canal.

He Became An Inventor Because Of His Father's Influence

Pullman's father, James, was both a carpenter and an inventor; according to House Histree, he developed and patented a machine and method that could move entire buildings onto new foundations. This invention made Pullman's family well-recognized by the public, and for a good reason - businesses didn't need to close while being moved thanks to James' method and machine.

It was also during the development of this machine and method that Pullman learned the skills to become an inventor himself - skills that he would come to use later in his life.

Pullman used a similar method during his time raising buildings in Chicago after the city raised its streets and sewers above flood levels. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Pullman pulled the raising of several businesses so smoothly that they didn't need to close while their buildings were being raised.

Uncomfortable Train Rides Made Him Invent The Pullman Sleeping Car

By 1857, Pullman had taken over the family's business after his father's death, but by then, he knew that his services would be needed less and less over time.

As such, he turned to the manufacture and leasing of railroad cars, which was a good business move as the American railroad system was expanding at a breakneck pace at the time, per the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

It was during this time that he became a frequent train rider in the pursuit of business, but he did not find any comfort or enjoyment in doing so. Regular cars were uncomfortable and dirty, while sleeping cars offered little to no difference.

Eventually, he got fed up with the experience and partnered with a friend, former New York state senator Benjamin Field. Together, they developed a better sleeping car for the Chicago, Alton, and St. Louis Railroad that focused on comfort and luxury.

The two friends were given two sleeping cars to convert into different versions of the first Pullman Sleeping Cars, which became an immediate success.

He Designed Other Sleeping Cars Based On His Tastes

Over time, Pullman designed better sleeping cars for commercial use, especially by the elites, who, by that time, deemed Pullman's invention as "the most luxurious way to travel."

His next design, the Pioneer, was described as a 2-story hotel on wheels during the night thanks to the lavish decorations it had. It also used trucks with rubberized springs to reduce bouncing and shaking, enhancing the comfort passengers feel.

Eventually, he developed new designs for railroad cars: a parlor car, a dining car, and a train vestibule that made moving from one train car to another easier. All of them bore Pullman's design tastes, which were later criticized in some women's magazines as "violations of good taste."

He Became A Controversial Feudal Lord

Thanks to the success of his railroad cars, Pullman had the resources he needed to construct and establish a town for his workers in Chicago, which bore his family name.

The town of Pullman was inaugurated in the new year of 1881 and was initially praised by the American press as it provided Pullman's workers with the means to escape poverty and prevent labor unrest.

However, despite the town having everything an average worker of the time would want and need, except for agitators, saloons, and city vice districts, it was anything but.

Pullman ruled the town like a feudal lord, with the quality of the house denoting the social standing of the people living there. Independent newspapers, public speeches, and open discussions were prohibited. Even religious organizations were not spared.

Things came to a head during a deep economic recession following the Panic of 1893. Pullman was forced to terminate 25% of his company's workforce to make a profit while paying lower wages without decreasing his workers' rent.

Although Pullman's workers attempted a peaceful settlement, Pullman refused to meet with them, terminating their employment at the same time.

This angered the workers, who then chose to go on strike on May 11, 1894.

Although Pullman hired African Americans during a time of severe racial discrimination, he had them work long hours and paid them wages so low they had to rely on tips and endure derogatory remarks from racist passengers.