Electric Interurbans and the American PeopleOne of the most intriguing yet neglected pieces of American transportation history, electric interurban railroads were designed to assist shoppers, salesmen, farmers, commuters, and pleasure seekers alike with short distance travel. At a time when most roads were unpaved and horse and buggy travel were costly and difficult, these streetcar like electric cars were essential to economic growth. But why did interurban fever strike so suddenly and