What’s with the massive boom of technology and invention over the last century and a half compared to the slow advancement of the many centuries before?

Question

What’s with the massive boom of technology and invention over the last century and a half compared to the slow advancement of the many centuries before?

In: 9

Answer 1

Cheap, plentiful Energy which then begets far fewer people/animals needed to provide just basic subsistence, when then begets more people who can do something besides farm.

As the increase in energy availability allows more people to do things other than struggle for survival (and allows more people to exist above a bare subsistence level), it also provides the inputs needed to create building blocks for innovation. Specifically plastics, concrete, steel, and ammonia, which then leads to globalization.

Sails, then steam engines and telegraph, then diesel engines, flight, and radio, and now large diesels, turbines, containers, and microchips. Instant-ish communication, and transport of just about anything just about anywhere.