Looking for books about the evolution of technology for everyday items. How did fences evolve in the old west, evolution of washing machines, postal service etc. looking to learn more about making day to day life easier over time. Don’t care about personal stories or info on the inventors, just want to learn about the items and the way life was impacted with the changes.
by Abevigodaschoda
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Are you okay with more academic texts? I went down a rabbit hole recently so I know of a couple books that cover (part of) that era. They’re all about the US though, so not so useful if you want something more general.
**Technology and American Society** by Gary S. Cross is pretty much exactly what it says in the title. It’s a fairly well-regarded book but very textbook-y.
**The Reshaping of Everyday Life** by Jack Larkin is about life in America from 1790-1820, including sections about transportation, architecture, and household technology.
There’s a third one I have saved somewhere that might also be good, but I can’t for the life of me find it. If the two titles above are at all helpful to you then I can have a look for it online.