The Final Word by Jim Thompson


Some will scoff at my comments in the editorial at the beginning of this edition of PaperMoney. However, we do not know if we are on the cusp of a great new era in our industry.

If one reads technological history, the 19th century is cited as a remarkable time. Those entering the 19th century had little idea that there would be any major technological changes in the coming hundred years, after all, for many centuries matters had nearly stood still as regards to communication, transportation, sources of power, sanitation, and so forth. The steam engine had come into limited use in the late 18th century, but it was not widely used.

Yet, despite the blissful ignorance of what was to come, the 19th century produced steam boats, trains, telegraph, sewing machines, telephones, typewriters, cartridge bullets, machine tools, gasoline engines, automobiles, and very nearly the airplane. Why should we not expect great things in the future, especially in our own industry?