The Railroads That Created Christmas

Santa and his reindeer, the carols, the lights, and the massive consumer spending on gifts did not happen immediately upon the birth of Christ.

By the mid-1800s, the holiday had picked up various elements of European religious and pagan traditions but wasn't popular in the United States. Much of the holiday's evolution is attributable to the steel rails in America.

Thomas Nast gave us our image of Santa, but Henry Bessemer figured out how to make steel rapidly, cheaply, and abundantly. He completely revolutionized some of the greatest of human industries.

His rails connected almost every corner of the United States, making it possible to move products and messages of love across the nation.