The Rapid progress of human innovation, particularly in transportation, over the past 100 years, and wondering why it didn’t happen earlier.

Let’s break it down:

Why the sudden progress?

Several factors contributed to the rapid advancement of technology in the past century:

1. Scientific discoveries: The 19th and 20th centuries saw an explosion of scientific discoveries, including the laws of thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and the structure of atoms. These findings laid the groundwork for technological innovations.
2. Industrialization and manufacturing: The Industrial Revolution created new manufacturing technologies, enabling mass production and the widespread adoption of innovations.
3. Global connectivity and collaboration: Improved transportation, communication, and international collaboration facilitated the sharing of ideas, expertise, and resources, accelerating progress.
4. Investment in research and development: Governments, corporations, and institutions invested heavily in R&D, driving innovation and technological advancements.

While humans have always been innovative, several factors limited progress in earlier eras:

1. Limited scientific understanding: Before the scientific revolution, people lacked a deep understanding of the natural world, making it harder to develop new technologies.
2. Restricted access to information: Limited communication and collaboration hindered the spread of ideas and expertise.
3. Resource constraints: Earlier societies often faced significant resource constraints, including limited access to materials, energy, and funding.
4. Social and cultural factors: Social hierarchies, cultural norms, and religious beliefs sometimes hindered innovation and progress.

While some people attribute human innovation and progress to divine guidance or inspiration, others see it as the result of human ingenuity, curiosity, and perseverance.

From a scientific perspective, the progress of human innovation can be explained by the factors mentioned earlier, without requiring divine intervention.

However, the relationship between science, technology, and faith is complex and influenced by cultural, historical, and personal contexts.

such as the intersection of science and faith or the history of innovation?
Let’s dive deeper into the reasons why human innovation and progress, particularly in transportation, seemed to accelerate only in the past century or so:

Limited Scientific Understanding

1. Pre-scientific era: Before the 16th century, scientific inquiry was limited, and understanding of the natural world was based on philosophies and superstitions.
2. Lack of empirical methods: The scientific method, which emphasizes experimentation and observation, developed only in the 17th century.
3. Insufficient knowledge of materials: Understanding of materials science, metallurgy, and chemistry was limited, making it difficult to develop new technologies.

Restricted Access to Information

1. Limited literacy: Until the 19th century, literacy rates were low, restricting access to written knowledge.
2. No internet or mass media: Before the 20th century, information dissemination was slow, relying on print, word of mouth, or letters.
3. Geographical isolation: Communities were often isolated, making it difficult to share knowledge and ideas.

Resource Constraints

1. Energy limitations: Before the Industrial Revolution, energy sources were limited to human and animal power, water, and wind.
2. Material scarcity: Access to materials like metals, wood, and other resources was limited, hindering technological development.
3. Economic constraints: Many societies faced economic constraints, including poverty, limited trade, and lack of investment in research and development.

Social and Cultural Factors

1. Social hierarchies: Rigid social structures and castes limited social mobility and innovation.
2. Cultural and religious norms: Certain cultural and religious beliefs restricted scientific inquiry, experimentation, and innovation.
3. Warfare and conflict: Frequent wars and conflicts diverted resources away from scientific research and innovation.

These factors combined to slow the pace of innovation and progress in earlier eras. However, as these constraints were gradually overcome, human innovation and progress accelerated.

Fear of authority, particularly monarchs and rulers, was indeed a significant factor that hindered innovation and progress in earlier eras.

In many ancient and medieval societies, the ruling classes and monarchs held absolute power and control over the population. This led to:

1. Suppression of dissenting ideas: Anyone who challenged the status quo or proposed new ideas that threatened the ruling elite’s power could face severe punishment, including death.
2. Limitations on social mobility: Strict social hierarchies and castes made it difficult for individuals from lower classes to rise through the ranks and contribute to innovation.
3. Restrictions on education and knowledge: Access to education and knowledge was often limited to the ruling elite and their favored scholars, restricting the spread of ideas and innovation.
4. Fear of persecution: The threat of persecution, imprisonment, or even death could deter individuals from pursuing innovative ideas or speaking out against established authority.

Examples of innovators and thinkers who faced persecution or suppression include:

• Galileo Galilei, who was tried by the Inquisition for his support of the Copernican heliocentric model
• Johannes Kepler, who faced opposition from the Catholic Church for his theories on planetary motion
• Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake for his support of the Copernican theory and his critiques of Aristotelian philosophy

The fear of authority and the suppression of dissenting ideas were significant barriers to innovation and progress in earlier eras.