Wondering about wild grapes

Friday, February 2, 2018

Era of Most Change?

I just got wondering what era of the past saw the biggest change?  Way, way back in history, things changed rather slowly except when a king or emperor got assassinated or when there were wars or famines or other calamities that produced almost instant change.

My grandparents saw quite a change.  They lived from horse and buggy days to space satellites.  Remember Sputnik?  I do.  It was launched by the Russians on October 4, 1957.  Both my grandfathers worked on the railroad when all the engines were steam engines.  One was an engineer on the Pennsylvania RR and the other was a conductor on the B&O.  They both retired while the engines still ran on steam.  I sure miss the sound at night of those steam locomotive whistles.  Diesels are just not the same.

I would say that the biggest and quickest change happened after WW1 and ended after WW2.  OK, I got to admit that I have seen a lot of change, too.  I, too, remember those steam engines and the soot and dirt they produced, but loved the sound.  The chug, chug, chug and then the slipping of the wheels as they started to pull a long line of rail cars.  I even worked for two different rail car manufacturers.  I guess railroading was in my blood.

In that period, we went from biplanes to jets.  Yes, jet aircraft were in use by the end of WW2 but were in their infancy.  There have been a lot of changes that happened quite quickly.  Tell us what quick changes you have seen in your life time that left an impression on you and have a great day, you hear?

19 comments:

  1. As they say, the only constant is change.

    ReplyDelete
  2. To me it is "time".. when I was kid, things lasted forever. School vacations, weekends, family visits... even phone calls long distance to Grandma. Now time flies by so fast. Where does it go? Who changed the hours into seconds?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is like a rock rolling down a steep hill. The further along it gets the faster it goes. I will be 75 this month and let me tell you, time does go a lot faster the older you get. I guess it is because I am on the down hill side of life.

      Delete
  3. I used to watch one of the network morning shows, the one with Willard Scott. He celebrated people's birthdays of 100 or more, he met a lot of folks that age over the years.
    He said that he asked them what was the biggest change in their lifetimes, the one that had to most effect on them.
    RFD was the answer, rural free delivery, the postman coming out to their house with the mail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a big change. I remember Willard Scott and enjoyed him doing the weather on TV.

      Delete
  4. I to will have a birthday this month and old age seems to have come very fast. All the good family shows that used to be on fun cartoons not this murder smut of today

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back when we got our first TV, there were only 3 channels. So, we didn't have a lot of choices. Now, I got Dish and I have hundreds of channels and I still only watch a very few of them.

      Delete
    2. I got rid of my cable and just use an indoor antenna. I get plenty of channels and they're free

      Delete
  5. I think going from radio, to TV (with 3 channels + the educational channel) to the internet and beyond is a tremendous change. I can't say I like everything about it though - life should be simpler and enjoyed. How can you really enjoy the little things in life when you have a phone embedded in your palm and probably glance at it several times each minute. Change doesn't necessarily make things better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I make it a point to take walks and observe nature. You can finds nature not only in the country but also in towns and cities. It sure is easier to find in the country. I could never live in a city.

      Delete
  6. Oh.. I was going to mention... a piece of Sputnik landed near where we live, in Manitowoc WI. Back in 1962. I was only 2 years old so I don't remember it, but I guess it was a huge To Do about it! https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/12959

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I went to that link. Sure glad it didn't hit anyone or any building or vehicle. I guess it is just another bump in the road.

      Delete
  7. I think the biggest change came in computers. We went from machines using tape and reel and big as a house to small hand held digital devices. The 20th century held all the biggest changes in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, when I was in college, the big computer used punch cards.

      Delete
  8. I guess in my lifetime, it would be the internet. I remember before the internet and after.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, the internet opened up the world for a lot of us. My first blog posting was back in 7/16/10.

      Delete
  9. we are of the same mind,,Dizzy. Ive been thinking about all the changes in my life time too. Im 76, so there have been major ones. Glad i can enjoy them now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I turned 75 yesterday so I, too, have seen a lot of changes but not near as many as my grandparents.

      Delete