Multiple Choice, Single Answer

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Before the invention of mechanized plows and salt spreaders, cities relied on small armies of laborers to shovel snow from streets by hand, often piling it into towering mounds at intersections. In the early twentieth century, some municipalities experimented with melting machines that burned coal to liquefy snow directly on the roadway, an approach abandoned once fuel costs proved prohibitive. Only after the widespread adoption of motorized trucks did large-scale plowing become practical, allowing crews to clear major roads within hours rather than days. Even today, however, budget constraints force many smaller towns to prioritize main roads over residential streets, meaning that side streets and alleys can remain snow-covered for a week or longer after a major storm.