Right here on 18 July 1891, the future of urban transport arrived with a revolutionary invention that would change how millions of people moved through cities. František Křižík, a Czech inventor and electrical engineer, launched the first electric tram in the city, connecting this elevated plateau of Letná to the vast parklands of Stromovka below. The 800 metre line was built specifically for the Jubilee Exhibition, a massive celebration showcasing Czech industrial achievements and innovation. Before this moment, city streets were dominated by horse drawn carriages and steam powered vehicles that filled the air with smoke and noise. Křižík had already gained recognition for his work with electric arc lighting, but this tram represented his most ambitious project yet. The electric vehicle promised something entirely new: cleaner air, faster speeds, and reliable public transport that could carry far more passengers than any horse could pull. The route down from Letná, with its commanding views over the Vltava River, descended into Stromovka, where exhibition grounds had been specially prepared. Thousands of visitors rode this pioneering line during the exhibition, many experiencing electric powered transportation for the first time. Křižík's demonstration proved so successful that his electric tram system rapidly expanded across the city, establishing one of Europe's most extensive networks by the early 20th century.
Sources. Story: Radio Prague Int. (route & datum). (Radio Prague International); Prague Exhibition Grounds (context expo + lijn Letná–Stromovka). (Prague City Tourism); Letenský zámeček (termimus-context). (Prague City Tourism) Photos: Ferdinand Herčík (1861 - 1923), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
