虽然历史学家并不打算拿进步主义时期的经验应用于今天,不过,不得不承认,那个时代和现今的许多相似之处都让人感到惊讶。一位英国人记录了他1900年的美国之行,宣称“美国生活就是一连串的电话、电报、电唱机、电铃、汽车、电梯和自动器具”。到了1910年,美国人能购买电动缝纫机、电扇、电熨斗、洗衣机、吸尘器、电炉、电热器、留声机和其他一大堆设施。电报几乎是在即时传输讯息,电话的使用在世 Although historians do not intend to apply the lessons of the period of progress to today, it is compelling to admit that many similarities between that era and today are surprising. An Englishman recorded his trip to the United States in 1900, declaring that “American life is a series of telephone, telegraph, record player, bells, cars, elevators, and automatic appliances.” By 1910 Americans could buy electric sewing machines, fans, irons, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, electric stoves, heaters, phonographs, and a host of other facilities. Telegraphs transmit messages almost instantaneously, and the use of telephones is alive and well