Most books in the middle ages were written by the:

by monks or university professors (Roger Bacon, St. Thomas, William of Ockham, Duns Scotus etc etc).

Explanation: in fact many medieval books were copied by monks. Monasteries were frequently centers of copying but also translating. Monks were usually (not always because not all the religious orders were focused upon education) quite educated in various languages, translation. Books were usually translated from Arabic, Greek or Hebrew language to Latin.

the american rail road was the most influential and useful transportation system developed in the 1800's with steam locomotives and in the very late 1800's and early 1900's diesel electric locomotives being used to transport goods and people around the newly expanded united states!