Streetcars It's one of those topics that comes up at parties and book clubs -- why did the streetcars disappear? They were done in by General Motors, the story goes, to make way for automobiles. But this urban myth is indeed a myth, reports NPR's Dan Charles, who talked with several historians of technology who say the story always sounded good but doesn't hold up. It was public disaffection, bad business practices and the search for profit, they say.

Streetcars

January 15, 199912:00 AM ET

Heard on All Things Considered

Streetcars

Audio will be available later today.

It's one of those topics that comes up at parties and book clubs — why did the streetcars disappear? They were done in by General Motors, the story goes, to make way for automobiles. But this urban myth is indeed a myth, reports NPR's Dan Charles, who talked with several historians of technology who say the story always sounded good but doesn't hold up. It was public disaffection, bad business practices and the search for profit, they say.