From the invention of the wheel to the flight of the space shuttle, advances in technology transportation has allowed the human race and human culture to spread througout the globe.   Perhaps the two most important early advances were the invention of the wheel and the domestication of horses.  Both of these allowed for humans to travel further distances on land and allowed for the capability to transport both supplies and cultural goods across the world.  The invention of boats and ships at first allowed for simple river and lake crossings.  However, as time passed and the technology got better, larger ships were able to cross large sections of ocean with more crew and more goods to be traded or sold.  Advancements in transportation technology have allowed for the cultures of the world to trade ideas and theories and has helped shape the world to what it is today.   This timeline only goes to the early 20th century.  Technological development of transportation saw many signficant changes during the 20th century.  This is opposed to the long periods of time shown in the time-line where little or nothing changed in terms of technology and practical use.

Cited Material:

No Author.  The History of Transportation.  About.com.  Cited March 31, 2011.

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_history_of_transportation.htm