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What item do you think will be the most significant in the future and why
Answering this often difficult question is challenging because it requires you to predict the future. But here are some thoughts on how the 20th century could be viewed as a time period of social and cultural change. Over this century, inventions and developments have changed the world in unimaginable ways. Economists and historians tend to focus on these changes when considering the history of the 20th century. But what about other people, who tend to be less interested in aspects of human life that are not directly connected with their daily work or business? When we consider what is most significant about the future as we move into the 21st century, let us consider some examples of changes that cannot be predicted at this time.
Many people are interested in what they will be doing in the future. For these people, there is only one question: “What will I be doing?” It is not necessary to know what others will be doing; it is sufficient to think about one’s own situation. People who are in their late teens have no trouble in answering this question. They know what they want to accomplish in life, and most of them believe that if they work hard, the goals they have set for themselves will be attained. Most people in the U.S.A. get some education after high school or college graduation and feel confident that their training will provide them with opportunities to make a good living through gainful employment.
This is a particularly common belief among older Americans. Most people in the U.S.A. who were born before World War II were raised in a family where food was plentiful and clothing was not a problem if one worked hard. There may also have been a parent who worked long hours to earn the money needed to provide the family with necessities and help make ends meet.
How might this object be used to represent history
The most significant objects of the 20th century are those that have transformed our lives—the car, the television, and the computer. These inventions have changed all aspects of our lives. Who could have predicted that the invention of the automobile would change our daily lives so dramatically? The car made it possible for people to travel long distances in relative comfort and convenience. It gave people more free time and more independence. Many of the objects in our homes originated as a result of this invention. The family room in most homes has chairs that match the shape of a car seat. Rugs are made to look like a car’s carpeting, headphones look like car mirrors and the remote control, a car key. The television was an invention that occurred at the same time as cars. Many of these inventions were selected by the Smithsonian Institution to represent the 20th century.
2. What makes something historically significant?
Historians believe that things made in and around 1900 will have importance for future generations. By 1900, electricity had been in use for several years and was being used to power streetcars and lights. The telephone was being used by businesses. In the early 1900s, there were automobiles and machine guns. We live very differently from people of 100 years ago. Many of our clothes and many other things in our houses and offices originated during that time period.
What kind of stories or events might surround this object
A common error that students make is to focus on the object itself, rather than on what it represents. For example, the most significant computer of the 20th century was invented at a time when few people had access to technology. They were the size of a living room and had a price that was out of reach for most families. Yet, here we are at the start of the 21st century, and computers are part of our everyday life. We take for granted that we can check the weather, make travel plans online, or pay our house bills on our computer. However, in the future, which object will be historically significant as a representation of the 2000s?
First, let’s look at what factors make an object historically significant. For example, if an object is so common that everyone uses it, it’s unlikely to be considered historically significant. A good example of this is a chair. Everyone uses one, but it’s not very interesting to talk about because everyone knows how to use a chair. An object may become historically significant when it’s related to a particular event or when it tells a story that people remember.
How would people use this object to understand history
In this century, many people have improved their standard of living through the use of technology. Many people were able to save money or work more efficiently thanks to computers. Even the elderly can have a computer in their home to keep them safe from criminals and to make it easier for relatives who live far apart to communicate with each other. The invention of television changed our view of life, as we could see events happening not only in our hometown, but across the country or around the world. Television also changed the world of music by bringing rock and roll to both adults and children. Some people think that technology has made life easier for most people, but it could turn out to be a double-edged sword.
There are many ways to express how we’re supposed to feel about the future. One of the best is by writing a song that makes us feel anxious or happy. The wellknown singer Elton John wrote “Daniel” in response to a poll of his friends and acquaintances. It’s a song based on a question posed to his friends: “Should we be looking forward or backward?”. Many people believe that when we look forward, we are more likely to succeed, but when we look backward, we have a chance to learn from our mistakes.
In this century, technology is going to continue its rapid pace. The world’s leading manufacturers of technology are already planning for the future. In September 2000, many people will be racing towards their computers as they download programs for new operating systems and expect faster Internet access. Magazines and newspapers are also planning for the future. They will publish articles about the new technologies that will make life easier for many people.
Would this object be accessible to everyone or just a select few
The invention of the car opened new horizons for many people. It was no longer necessary to live in a town or city in order to find work. Farms became larger and more productive as farmers could transport their produce to distant markets by car. Even some workers who lived in cities could move to the suburbs, work in their own home, and save money on transportation costs. A driver’s license allowed many people to drive for the first time. The new freedom to travel also opened opportunities for business persons to start their own enterprises.
“For all its convenience, the car had another unexpected benefit: it cut off the American working class from its traditional source of political power – the factories where it made things for other people’s consumption.” (Elbow, The Big Story)
In February of 2000, Henry Ford Museum Director Paul G. Hoffman decided that the year 2000 would be an appropriate time to assess the impact that the automobile has had on society and to consider what it will mean for the future.
Gaining a better understanding of this impact, he felt, would help him develop a plan to improve and update his museum’s collection so that it could not only serve as a testament to Ford’s legacy, but also provide visitors with insights in to how this development affected everyday life. The Ford Motor Company and the Henry Ford Museum would like to invite you to join us as we prepare for and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Henry Ford’s birth on July 30, 2003.
Findings from the study include:
* By 1900 over 90% of the American population lived in urban areas. In 1950 that number was 63%. (US Census)
