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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7023185" data-attributes="member: 6796661">When world building, I find that anachronisms are less of an issue than falling into a false sense of realism. If you look at history there are societies that discovered certain technologies long before we tend to think they were discovered and, to me more surprising, often that knowledge was lost. For example, look at the fascinating history of glass. Roman advanced glass-making techniques somehow was lost and not rediscovered until many centuries later in Europe. Also, look at roman aqueducts. Who knows what technologies certain individuals or communities discovered that were lost. Automata and other complex mechanical devices, including the first known analog computer are found in Hellenistic Greece. Even electricity in some fashion was used in ancient times. Romans and Egyptians used electric eels and catfish to treat headaches and other pain. Some claim that Parthians had developed a primitive battery (see Bagdad batteries). I think this theory is mostly discredited, but it is interesting to read theories on how batteries may have been created out of primitive material and used to deliver mild electric shocks when a person touched an idol, or as a medicinal device, or just a novelty (the electroplating theory has been debunked, afaik). The ancient Greeks had developed a miniature steam engine (aeolipile), but it was just used as a curiosity, a toy. Amazing that nobody thought to put the concept to practical use until the industrial revolution.In a fantasy world, with MAGIC and fantastical creatures, there would be even less reason to develop many technologies, especially those intermediate technologies that would lead to the modern world. In an a world where magic is repressed, certain sciences and inventions may be feared and repressed as magic. So I see no issue with having ships that are more 18th century, but without cannons or any number of other anachronisms.  Human history in real life has not seen a smooth progression of technological and scientific advancement. Also, all regions in the world do not advance at the same pace. Don't worry too much about historical verisimilitude--most folks have a faulty understanding scientific history anyway and are informed more by Hollywood than actual history and science.</blockquote>

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