The New Roaring Twenties

It has now been over twenty years since we’ve had a catchy namesake for the decade, as no one will ever look back and reminisce about the Zeros or the Teens. The Twenties are now here, and they bring a very similar vibe to that of the Roaring Twenties of 1920-1929. We all know how the 1920s ended, but for much of the decade it was a period of economic prosperity, and much of its economic growth came from consumers of “modern technology”. The modern technology of the time consisted of many things we now either take for granted or no longer use at all; however, the most notable technology of the time was the automobile, which before the 1920s was much more of a luxury that very few enjoyed. The mass production of automobiles in the 1920s turned the once novelty into something more commonplace. Mobility was celebrated as a newfound form of freedom, and to meet this new demand came a major public investment in transportation infrastructure and growth across a multitude of industries.

Many difficult times have been surmounted since the original Roaring Twenties, including wars and economic recessions, and we now find ourselves in a much more complex world but also one with similarities to the 1920s – the economy is seemingly strong and the focus is again on “modern technology”. However, the technology we first celebrated 100 years ago has evolved into something very different. The dreamt-up ideas we saw only in movies and on television a few short decades ago have become reality – technology is now driving the world economy and changing our way of life. 

Technology comes in many forms, ranging from a simple wake-up call from your virtual assistant to areas beyond most of our comprehensions. With respect to mobility and transport, it has only just begun. The automobile of the 1920s was far from perfect – the carbon footprint of both its production and operation is significant, and its use has led to millions of serious or fatal crashes. However, with advancements in technology we are now seeing better fuel efficiencies, alternative sources of power, autonomous and connected operations, and micromobility alternatives. If we follow the script of the movies, we’ll soon be taking to the air and venturing to new places never thought possible. One can only imagine what the Year 2120 will look like, or even how soon we can get there.