Final answer:
Prior to airplanes, sea travel was conducted using rafts, boats, and eventually sophisticated sailing ships and steamships. These vessels allowed for the transportation of goods and people over long distances, significantly affecting global trade and exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the advent of airplanes, people used various types of sea vessels to travel across oceans and seas. Initial forms of sea travel included the use of rafts and simple boats, often utilized for short distances between islands. Over time, advancements in maritime technology led to the creation of more sophisticated ships like caravels, which featured larger hulls for carrying more provisions, rudders for enhanced maneuverability, and lateen sails that allowed them to tack against the wind.
Furthermore, the introduction of steam power drastically transformed sea travel. Steam engines enabled boats to traverse both downstream and upstream with ease, leading to an explosion in travel and commerce. The first ocean-going steamships appeared in the early 19th century, providing faster and safer travel options and setting the stage for regular shipping schedules.
The steamships' ability to reliably and efficiently transport goods and people over long distances had profound effects on global trade and exploration. As these vessels became more advanced, they even ventured into the interior of continents, overcoming challenges such as waterfalls and rapids through innovative solutions like disassembly and reassembly of the ships.