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What would impress the ROMANS?

roman fortress

Ever since I started building in the early 70's I have played a game in my head (and with anyone else I could torture) called: "What would the Romans be impressed with?" Think about it----of all of the incredible advances we have made on the planet since the Romans ran things, what would impress them? While a lot of our advances seem obvious, they might not be the ones that would impress them the most. For example many of our advances in indoor plumbing would most likely be seen as merely "improvements" on systems they already had. Big buildings?---they could do BIG pretty darn good. Automobiles?---they could get around pretty good---and they built roads that are still around. Certainly not Polar Fleece----the Romans were strong and tough enough to lug wet wool around just fine thank you. They would probably have found a lot of the things we take for granted like flush toilets, toilet paper, central heating, inflatable sport balls, canned peas, and Hummers as "interesting"---but IMPRESSIVE? I have developed a list of my own things that I think they would be impressed with---and I am sure you all can find things to add or subtract from the list. So here are my top ten, what would you remove from my list and what would you add? gargoyle

•1. Antibiotics (and artificial limbs:),

•2. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration,

•3. Internal combustion engine,

•4. Space Travel,

•5. Transistors/Silicon-chips,

•6. Motion Pictures (especially Ben-Hur:),

•7. Condoms,

•8. Automatic Weapons,

•9. "Awareness" of Lead Poisoning,

And my favorite:

•10. Plywood.

Charles Buell

www.buellinspections.com

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 02/03/2008 12:23 PM

Comments (15)

15 Comments on What would impress the ROMANS?

Hey Charles,

That is a very thought provoking blog. Really does make you think. Thanks

Sean Allen

02/03/2008 12:39 PM

by International Financing Solutions

Charles, having toured some of the Roman empire, I'm impressed with what they had done. Still amazes me to see some of the structures they built. Great list on your end as well. Thanks for the thought provoking post.

02/03/2008 01:02 PM

by * Rate A Home (Rate A Home)

Charles, can I add to that the Internet.

02/03/2008 01:03 PM

by * Rate A Home (Rate A Home)

I'm not sure how "lead poisoning" could be considered an improvement, but I'm sure Computers would impress them.

02/03/2008 01:23 PM

by Gregory D. Maley - Metropolitan Washington, DC REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase)

Gregory, I have edited my list to convey my meaning (hopefully) a little better:)

02/03/2008 02:01 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

That is better, Charles! Also, upon further reflection, I have to think a "Hot Shower" has gotta be up there. Now I know that could be considered an "improvement", but WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT! :-)

02/03/2008 02:12 PM

by Gregory D. Maley - Metropolitan Washington, DC REALTOR (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase)

Gregory----got to agree with you----love my shower! I think back then they were INTO smelling baaaad!

02/03/2008 02:18 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

Charlie,

This is revised, because I caught point nine on your list. As someone who has spent a fair bit of time in Italy at some of the ruins, I remember at one ancient city they had a problem with people going dumb. Ends up, they know now, it had to do with their water being supplied in lead pipes, troughs or something similar. So, modern pipes, that do not make you crazy, would impress.

02/03/2008 06:28 PM

by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

Charles, I am not too sure that the Romans would be impressed with plywood - Automatic weapons however is another story. 8-}

02/04/2008 04:32 AM

by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)

Dear Uncle Charlie,

I was going through my photos today and saw this one and thought it tied in with your blog. This is considered to be one of the best Roman theaters in existence today. It is tucked away in Verona. The day we were there the only folks in attendance were of the four legged variety, cats. They were setting up for a concert -- not the cats.....roadies. There is something really cool about seeing shows in these old antique facilities.

02/05/2008 09:01 AM

by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

I'm not sure Romans would find a hot shower impressive because they had indoor heated baths.

02/05/2008 08:23 PM

by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY (DDR Realty)

Rosario----yes, as much as I like showers----it would be on my "interesting" list but not truely "impressive"

02/05/2008 08:42 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

Steel framing.
And poweful microscopes that make bacteria visible.
And I agree with motion pictures... they were well versed in the political and social implications in media.

02/06/2008 12:25 AM

by Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)

Hi Charlie,

I think they may be impressed with the costume makers and dress designers. By the way, my dad worked 35 years at what was the U.S. Plywood Company in Ballard--he invented the machine that put the paint into the grooves in the paneling.

02/29/2008 09:57 AM

by Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional (Brio Realty)

Sarah, those are great ones (sorry for the late reply:)

Leslie, it is interesting what we need inventions for isn't it?

02/29/2008 06:05 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

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