Why was the Hong Kong Peak Tram invented?

Answer 1

The Peak Tram wasn't so much of an invention, but rather "Why was the Hong Kong Peak Tram built?" The Peak Tram was built, because at the early days of Hong Kong's colonization, many of the British and European expatriates (including British Government officials and then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell) during the 1860s have discovered that the Victoria Peak "locally the people call it The Peak" offered a much more desirable environment to live in, especially with Hong Kong's inhospitable heat during the summertime. Before the Peak Tram was built or even in service, the residents who lived in the Peak had to be carried up to their residences by Sedan Chairs, who we're carried by coolies (public or private hired). This prevented the further development of "The Peak" along with the "Mid-Levels". One philantropist, Alexander Finlay Smith also owned a hotel at The Peak and had very little business due to the inconveient location of "The Peak". With his petitioning and lobbying, the Peak Tram was developed, to allow a much easier access to "The Peak", including his hotel.