How Japanese Engineers Solved the Critical Shinkansen High-Speed Rail Problem

The Japanese Shinkansen, one of the world's most advanced high-speed rail networks, faced a dangerous problem during its design in the 1950s. At speeds of 200 \text{km/h} and above, the train carriages began to oscillate violently—a phenomenon known as hunting oscillation, which posed a serious threat of derailment.
This video explores how engineer Tadashi Matsudaira, with experience taming vibrations in fighter planes, was brought in to solve this crisis. He quickly identified that the suspension system, not just the wheel design, was the real culprit. Matsudaira's revolutionary solution was a new type of air spring capable of damping both vertical and horizontal vibrations.
After months of rigorous testing, the breakthrough came on March 30, 1963, with a flawless trial run and a record speed of 256 \text{km/h}. This engineering feat secured the future of the Shinkansen, allowing Japan to build a safe, fast, and stable high-speed rail system.
Discover the incredible story behind Japan's bullet train technology!