When the Shinkansen first appeared, it was unlike anything people had seen before. So they simply referred to it by the shape of its design.
The first bullet train trip left Tokyo for Osaka at 6:00 AM on the morning of Oct. 1, 1964...
On its way to Osaka, the train zoomed past Mount Fuji...
Four and a half hours later, the Shinkansen arrived at its destination.
Today, the newest bullet trains can make the trip in just two and half hours...
...and the extensive Shinkansen network — operated by Japan Railways — has reached the far corners of the country.
The Shinkansen's record for reliability and safety is impeccable. There have been no fatal accidents in the network's 5 decades of service.
One of the secrets to the Shinkansen's success is its innovative propulsion design.
Instead of having a locomotive pull or push the train along...
...engineers placed electric drive motors in each of the train's cars.
This allowed for more uniform performance characteristics.
Over the years, the Bullet Train has been popular with celebrities and dignitaries.
Everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger...
...to the King and Queen of Sweden have hopped on the Shinkansen.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went for a ride.
As did Britain's Prince Andrew.
Tom Cruise traveled by bullet train during his press tour for the 'Mission Impossible' series.
Naturally, he got mobbed by fans.
Former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and daughter Amy rode with the conductor.
While the late Senator Ted Kennedy...
...and astronaut/former Senator John Glenn chose to ride in the passenger compartment.
The original and most iconic of the bullet trains is called the '0 Series.'
Incredibly, the 0 Series remained in service from 1964 until 2008.
The cockpit of the original bullet train was simple but effective.
The cabin was quiet and comfortable.
There's even a dining car. However, as the trains get faster and trip times grow shorter, there is concern the days of the Shinkansen dining cars may be numbered, as the there may not be enough time for an onboard meal.
Although the oldest Bullet Trains had a top speed of 130 mph...
...today's fastest bullet train, called the 'Hayabusa,' has a maximum operating speed of 199 mph.
After the 0 Series came the 100 Series in the 1980s.
Other highlights include the menacing 300 Series...
...the sleek 400 Series...
...the fighter-jet-like 500 Series...
...the duck-bill 700 Series...
Japanese Shinkansen technology has been a popular export in recent years.
Modern high-speed trains in China like this CRH2...
...and Taiwan's 700T are based on Bullet Train technology.
As the Bullet Train celebrates its 50th birthday, where will train technology go in the next 50 years?
One possibility is this — magnetic levitation. A train that rides on an invisible force field of magnets may sound farfetched to many. Then again — to people 50 years ago — so did a high-speed electric train shaped like a bullet!
The Italians have also managed to create an innovative piece of technology...
