Linking the space shuttle to Roman horses

Here is a pointer to how important tradition is to our current life. If somebody tells you that things are under your control, you should throw this story at them. You would think something as simple as why train tracks are a certain width would be based on scientific evaluation, but here goes. Follow the argument and go back in history:

1. The wheels on the Space Shuttle are a certain distance apart, really narrow in proportion to its huge size.
2. This is so they can haul it on railroad tracks when they move it to different parts of the country.
3. The width of the railroad tracks is based on the companies who manufactured railroad cars way back in the days when the same companies were converting over from manufacturing wagons.
4. Wagon wheels had to be a certain distance apart to fit in the ruts in the road so they bumped less.
5. The width of the road is based on Roman design, the most convenient width for Roman chariots, since ancient Rome defined the basis for road-making in ancient times.
6. The width of a chariot was based on the width of 2 horses running together.
7. So basically, part of the design of the Space Shuttle is based on the width of two horses butts!

Gotcha, that would start to make sense to you.