Every once in awhile (from centuries to millennia), something new is discovered or
created that changes everything. Cave dwellers smelled something new (smoke)
and decided (after a long committee meeting) to check it out. Fire changed every-
thing. Sushi was out and barbeque was in.
Skip forward a bit to a time when some inventive artisans figured out how to
make tools out of iron. These sturdy tools lasted a lot longer than their stone imple-
ments and gave some people the idea that taking over the world might be an inter-
esting endeavor.
Fast forward again, to a time of electricity, horseless carriages, antibiotics, and
indoor plumbing for the majority of the developed nations. Suddenly, the human
race became aware that if something was considered long enough (out of commit-
tee), anything was possible. Science and technology breakthroughs exploded in
ways that were laughed at as pure fiction only decades earlier.
Then, the true age of technology—color TV and fast computers—emerged.
“Smaller, faster, lighter, and smarter” became the anthem of the day. The more we
knew, the more we wanted to learn. We hungered for knowledge of how things
worked. Our curiosity was limitless. Everything from quasars and plate tectonics to
DNA and dung beetles captured our interest.