I'd appreciate it if you could help me
The advent of steamships in the late 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, revolutionized global trade. The invention and use of steamships greatly shortened the voyage from the 40 days it used to take to cross the Atlantic Ocean in sailing ships, which had to rely on the wind, to the 10 days or so it took.
Trade became more prosperous and the world became more convenient. On the other hand, the shortened voyage time caused the European wine industry to suffer catastrophic damage. Phylloxera is a pest that attaches itself to the roots of grapes and kills them.
Its scientific name, phylloxera vastatrix, means "destroyer. Originally, phylloxera was found in the United States and not in Europe. American grapevines were resistant to phylloxera, so there was no damage. Europeans have been importing grape seedlings from the U.S. by ship since the days of sailing ships. The purpose was to improve grape varieties.
In the days of sailing ships, phylloxera on grape saplings would have died during the long voyage to Europe, even if they had made it on board. However, steamships greatly shortened the voyage, allowing the phylloxera to reach Europe before it died. And once it landed alive, phylloxera quickly spread throughout Europe, devastating the European wine industry.
This photo shows a caricature of phylloxera tasting wine that appeared in the British weekly magazine Punch in 1890. The illustration commented that "Philoxera is a true gourmet, seeking out the best vineyards and pining for the best grapes.
