- Here are a few “modern” things that actually have long and (more or less) proud histories.
We tend to think that the current day is the pinnacle of civilization. We have all the latest toys and technologies, and our culture is at its peak.
Yet, many things we think are representative of modern life are, in reality, not modern at all. Some inventions and customs are decades or even centuries older than we think.
And then there are those that way, way older than even that.
We’ve covered some older-than-you-think technologies in the past, but that list was by no means exhaustive. So, here are another five things that go back way further in time that most of us realize.
1. 3D Movies
Remember how 3D movies were all the rage in the late 2000s and early 2010s before the fad fizzled out? We suppose the technology wasn’t quite there yet.
That’s a bit weird, considering 3D movies have had over a century to improve.
The first 3D feature ever made is The Power of Love, a drama flick from 1922. It was filmed using a dual camera and the viewers would have to put on red-and-green 3D glasses to watch the movie — which means 3D glasses are also probably older than you thought.
The Power of Love even had two endings you could choose from. At the finale, the viewers were asked to close one of their eyes to see a happy or sad ending. The 3D glasses would filter out the other projected ending, and this was a silent movie so there was no need to worry about the soundtrack.
With all that said, The Power of Love wasn’t a hit and it was shown only twice in 3D before being converted into a regular 2D movie. Which means 3D movies flopping is also an older phenomenon than you’d imagine.
2. Lighters
If you had to make a fire in the olden days, you’d use a flint and steel. As technology marched onward, people swapped to matches… Right?
Wrong. Lighters came first.
Turkish diplomat Evliya Celebi visited Vienna, Austria, in 1662. In his letter, he marveled at the ingenious lighters the Viennese used, which were converted from old flintlock pistol firing systems.
A couple of centuries later, in 1823, German chemist Johann Döbereiner developed a lighter that burned hydrogen gas to produce a flame. Modern friction matches, on the other hand, became successful only in 1826, as any earlier versions were much too dangerous for everyday use.
3. Submarines
Alright, well, submarines couldn’t possibly be a very old invention due to all the ventilation and high-powered engines and other technology they need. They were first used effectively in World War I, so they have to be from around the end of the 19th century.
We’re sorry, but you’re about 250 years late. The first functional submarine was built by Dutch engineer Cornelis Drebbel for the English Navy in 1620.
Drebbel’s submarine consisted of a wooden leather-covered frame and was steered with oars. The largest and most successful model he built could carry 16 people.
This model, which Drebbel demonstrated to King James I, stayed underwater at a depth of 15 feet for three hours. In that time, it traveled roughly 16 miles from Westminster to Greenwich and back.
As impressive as Drebbels’ submarine was, it was never actually adopted by the Royal Navy. They just didn’t see any use for it, considering nobody else had invented underwater boats.
4. Condoms
Condoms require latex rubber, which isn’t that old of an invention, so condoms can’t be… Let us just stop you right there.
It’s true that modern condoms use latex, but you can make condoms out of other materials. For instance, pre-latex rubber condoms were invented in 1855. These things were as thick as a bicycle inner tube and they had a seam running down the middle.
Yet, condoms are much, much older than that. The first written description of condoms (made of chemical-soaked linen) comes from Italy in the mid-1500s. Meanwhile, in China, people were making condoms out of cleaned and oiled sheep intestines.
Look, we didn’t say they were comfortable to wear or do the deed with. But condoms have existed for centuries.
5. Giving Someone the Finger
Customs and traditions can change wildly even during a single human being’s lifespan. As such, there couldn’t possibly be a cultural element that has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
Oh, but there is one gesture. It consists of clenching the fingers of your hand into a fist and extending the middle finger.
We’re talking about flipping the bird. The Finger is about as old as what we consider Western civilization.
Its first recorded use comes from ancient Greek plays from around 420 BCE, but it’s possibly even older than that. Yet, since those days, it has been used to communicate the same message:
“Go f*** yourself.”