How did people actually experience the birth of modern media?
In short: We often study the gadgets of the past but overlook the humans who used them. This lecture explores how Londoners in 1900 navigated a world suddenly flooded with new forms of communication and entertainment.
While historians have long documented the evolution of media technology, Professor Ian Christie argues that we lack a deep understanding of early user experience. By imagining a typical day in London around 1900, Christie seeks to uncover how these 'new media' actually functioned as lived experiences rather than just historical artifacts.
The lecture addresses a gap in traditional historiography, which often ignores the psychological and social fascination triggered by emerging entertainment. It moves beyond the hardware of the late 19th century to examine the sensory and cultural impact of early multimedia on everyday life.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Multimedia 1900: Experience and Entertainment in Everyday Life - Ian Christie
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