Electric Trains. On July 24, 1907, the first New Haven Railroad electrified passenger train traveled from Grand Central to New Rochelle, New York. The initial electrification covered all four tracks to Stamford, Connecticut, and in 1913-1914 was extended to New Haven, Connecticut. Today the Amtrack train stops one mile from our conference hotel.

Steamboats. In 1787, Connecticut native, John Fitch built a 450-ft. boat, equipped it with a steam engine and sailed it on Long Island Sound for 40 miles at 4 mph. 17 years later, innovator Robert Fulton, with better financial backing, would make Fitch's vision of steamboats plying American waterways a reality.

First Automobile Self-Starter. In 1900 autos carried 72 lbs. of batteries for starting purposes until New Havener John Petrie, famous creator of magic tricks and stage effects, invented the self-starter, attaching a magnet to the flywheel to create a spark.

Oldest Trolley Line.The Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven holds the distinction for being the oldest suburban trolley line in continuous operation in the United States. The museum's trolley collection is on the National Register of Historic Places.