10 Fun Time Comparisons That Will Make You Rethink History

4. The Fax Machine and the Oregon Trail

The fax machine, a staple of modern office communication, was patented by Scottish inventor Alexander Bain in 1843. Around the same time, pioneers were embarking on the Oregon Trail, a 2,170-mile historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. The juxtaposition of these events highlights the simultaneous existence of cutting-edge technology and frontier exploration. It serves as a reminder that technological progress does not occur in isolation but often alongside other significant historical developments. This comparison encourages us to consider the multifaceted nature of progress and how different aspects of society evolve in tandem.