Are the 1800s more like the 21st century or the middle ages?

[DXBtoFL]

As someone with a deep interest in the 19th century, to say 1801 was hugely different from 1899 is a bit of an understatement. An earlier poster commented it was a mixed century. The world evolved enormously in one century and on an unprecedented scale never seen before, and that may be the common factor with today's time.

1701-1799 had seen some changes, namely the beginning of the industrial revolution and the rise of the Enlightenment era, both which were to be so pivotal for the 19th century, but for all practical purposes, life wasn't meaningfully different between 1701 and 1799. The quality of life remained broadly the same, with just a few more creature comforts and some concept of a sewer in urban areas by 1799. But for most people it really was changing costumes. People didn't grow up thinking they were in an amazing era of technological or scientific advancement, the enlightenment was the preserve of wealthy gentlemen, some people had interesting ideas with some of the new iron technologies but it wasn't meaningful - yet.

But a person in born in 1800 and living to the end of the century witnessed a staggering transformation of the world around him and the capabilities of humanity. By the end of that century, people were taking for granted that the future was one of profound change and we still hold the same thinking today in 2021, expecting 50 years hence to be different and to introduce amazing new technological marvels. A person born in 1700 did not grow up with that kind of thinking, the world was a rather stationary, never changing place beyond the whims of fashion. But someone born in 1850 did share the same expectations in future marvels we do.

Against that context, the 19th century belongs with the 21st century.

[The Grandeur]

Originally Posted by The Grandeur

Airplains came in very early 1900s. In World War 1, there were airplanes.

19th century brought trains and big steam power ships which hadn't existed in previous centuries.

Both steam power trains and electiric trains came in use in 19th century, by the way.

First electric train came in use in the year 1880 in England but in the year 1955 in Turkey, 75 years later.

That was Germany, not England. Oops.

[dizzybint]

Before cars and electricity the world was the same for centuries.. so comparing the two is daft.. railways changed our world dramatically in many ways..

[The Grandeur]

Originally Posted by dizzybint

Before cars and electricity the world was the same for centuries.. so comparing the two is daft.. railways changed our world dramatically in many ways..

Before cars, there were trains, steam powered ships, even electric train.

Train opened for use is 1825 in England (and 1827 in USA).

Electric Train opened for use is 1881 in Germany, which was the first country to use electric train.

[tyCable]

1820. Not much happening in Hawai'i then. Still in the dark ages. Sure they started fire. It was started by cracking two flint stones together to get a spark on dried coconut husk, then a fire would start. And that was built upon. They had horses and wagons then. Wagons were made from wood. Strong wood. Of which was made in Hawai'i. The steam engine came to Hawai'i by the 1850s. The locomotive was used. Made rail road tracks for these. So I'd say the inventions of the 1800s were a stepping stone for the technology today and as well as ushered the Industrial revolution, where by America would prosper with better innovations and technology in the years ahead. Yes, these inventions were for the 21st century. The inventions are a backbone to the technology of today.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Good grief! I though making a rule about "Decades" was enough. We never thought we would need a rule about "Centuries."

Personally, I think life improved with indoor plumbing and electricity as well as reliable heating and air conditioning.

All products from the 19th century, the Industrial Age.