In Search of a Major Technological Breakthrough. Part II. Reinventing the Wheel: Why Are We So Fascinated With Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Orbital Space Travel, Anti-Obesity Drugs, and Other Old Technologies?

One of the signs that the rate of technological progress has been falling is our recent fascination with such seemingly “revolutionary” inventions as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, orbital space travel, and anti-obesity drugs. In fact, these inventions were made many decades or even hundreds years ago. Electric Vehicles, Public Transportation, and Bacteria The first operational electric vehicle (EV) was created in 1881. 90% of New York City taxis were electric in 1899. By the end of the 1800s, a third of all vehicles in the United States were electric (see Reference 1 below). 125 years ago on May 20, 1899…...