On September 15, 1830, in Liverpool, England, a pivotal moment in the history of technology occurred. The world's first passenger railway, the Liverpool to Manchester was inaugurated. The event showcased George Stephenson's steam locomotive, "The Rocket," as a symbol of industrial progress.
Not everyone understood what a steam engine was capable of nor what its limitations were. In fact, there was quite a lot of opposition to this smoke-belching beast and calls to ban it in favor of continuing with horse-powered vehicles.
Of course, we all know the story of what happened: steam engines, to automobiles, to jet aircraft, to rocket ships to Mars and beyond.
This opposition to technology is almost always present at the forefront of the new: mono to stereo; vinyl to digital; consoles to separates.
What's interesting to me is how we each handle the new. Some of us run towards it while others move in the opposite direction. Love it; hate it; fear it; embrace it.
Over time we all succumb to the new. When's the last time you used the outhouse over indoor plumbing?
I think the new is what moves up forward and mostly that's a good direction to be heading in.
Cheers to progress!
