What invention provided the biggest improvement in transportation in the 1800's?

The steam locomotive was the most significant invention that revolutionized transportation in the 1800s. It enabled the rapid movement of goods and people over long distances, drastically reducing travel time compared to horse-drawn vehicles. The expansion of railroads connected remote areas to urban centers, facilitating economic growth and the spread of ideas. This transformation laid the groundwork for modern transportation systems and shaped the industrial landscape of the era.