Size of Rocket Boosters Determined by Ancient Roman Chariots

Although some historians question the veracity of all the facts in the following story, it is accurate enough to make an interesting point.

The U.S. standard railroad gauge is four feet, eight-and-one-half inches. How did we wind up with such an odd railway width? Because that was the width English railroad-building expatriates brought with them to America. Why did the English build them this wide? Because the first British rail lines were ...