Somewhat advanced technologies in the 19th century

A few things to note, first:
  • Richard Trevithick built what could be called the first practical steam locomotive in 1804
  • Gas lighting for streets first was used in 1807
  • All the necessary ingredients for the cable car existed by about 1840
So: it wouldn't take much to push the steam locomotive earlier by a few years such that George Washington might possibly have seen one toward the end of his life; similarly, gas lighting could have become common before the War of 1812, and cable cars could have made their debut in New York by the Mexican War. Just for grins--and never mind the how/why--let's assume these three happened. How is the general pace of urbanization and technology accelerated? Larger cities sooner? Faster development of communications?
 
Top