cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19285543
This cartoon was printed 110 years ago today on September 1, 1914.
World War 1 was in progress, though it wasn't called that yet. On the Western Front, Imperial Germany's invasion was underway and the French and British armies had been in retreat for almost a week. Among the engagements of this day was a skirmish near Néry, where a dismounted British cavalry division fought a dismounted German cavalry division. The outnumbered British forces prevailed, and three British soldiers were later awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross. The French and British forces continued to retreat, but they were doing so in an orderly manner, and in a few days they would be ready to counterattack in one of the most significant battles of the century.
Meanwhile, in rapidly-urbanizing America, Everett True was beginning to wonder if cars were a good idea after all.
I wonder if overhead wires make sense with the state of battery technology now? It must be cheaper to build battery-powered trains than install and maintain all that infra before you even factor in the cost of adjusting bridges and tunnels to accommodate the overhead wires.