Progress Shmogress

I was toodling through a book from the library called Midcentury Kitchens, when it occurred to me.

public domain photo

Where are all those space age appliances we were supposed to have by now? I mean, my ideal growing up was Jane Jetson, who just pushed a few buttons, and voila, out came dinner. I feel cheated somehow. And don't get me started on Rosie the Robot. Alexa/Siri? Not even close. 

So, where have all the innovators gone? Sure, we have spiffy electronic devices that have gotten more sophisticated over the years. But what about my kitchen? Why did we stop at the microwave?

As I work to throw together dinner in quicktime, it occurs to me I'm no better off than my mom. It takes us the same amount of time to cook stuff. The microwave speeds up some things. But it's not a life changer.

The same with cleaning and laundry and other household chores. You can buy a Roomba, I suppose. They have the added advantage of being a carnival ride for cats (according to the internet). But I wonder just how good a job they do. How does a round appliance get in corners, for example? Do all your nooks and crannies end up crammed with the cat fur your Roomba can't reach?

This was supposed to be the age of better technology and more leisure time, but frankly, I'm not seeing it. Sure, I can shop from my couch, but I still have to get off it if I want to eat or fetch something. 

Going back to my book, I see all the promise of a new space age. Alas, here we are. 

So I have to ask the question, where is that American ingenuity we used to brag about? 

Alas, I guess I'll just have to get used to my kitchen of yesteryear. 

And be thankful I have no appliances in avocado green. That's one trend from the last century I was happy to skip.