Introduction:

In preindustrial times men were forced to go by foot. We should always remember that before the 19th century 90 % of the population moved in a maximum radius of ten miles out of its own village.

Between 1500 and 1800 travelers had the choice of beaten and muddy tracks or hazardous boats. Long-distance traffic meant the transportation of goods in those days. Wood was floated and food, or other goods, was transported by boats that were pulled.

The Congress of Vienna should change the politics of traffic systems! Appendix 16b of the Final Act (Wiener Schlussakte) of March 24th 1815 established the "Zentralkommission für die Rheinschiffahrt". The Final Act of the Congress of Vienna demanded the freedom of movement on all German rivers. In 1907, the German Historian Hans Heiman reported 1907 the three main articles decided in Vienna to the Neckar: Firstly: Travel on the Neckar to its mouth should have the same freedom of navigation as one the Rhine. Secondly: Stacked stocking and forced emporiums have to be abolished. Thirdly: custom duties were not to be increased but to be fixed to the terms of the year 1802.