Timeline Research

I’m fortunate that I enjoy researching topics. Almost like a childhood curiosity about new subjects and ideas. In grade school, whenever we went to the library, I could be found in the reference section with my head nestled in an encyclopedia. With the advent of the internet and Google, research has become more readily available. The problem with blindly searching the internet is making sure the sources are reputable and that you didn’t find yourself travelling down too many rabbit holes.

When researching for the timeline, I started by looking at what technologies were available in Herland. Looking broadly, on the surface, there is surprisingly little mentioned for such a utopian civilization. This may have been necessary for Gilman to not expound on, lest her narrative venture into topics she did not want to focus on. There is also the fact that much of what is mentioned in the story was already in place before the three interlopers showed themselves.

“Nothing but earthquakes could destroy such architecture – huge solid blocks, holding by their own weight. They must have had efficient workmen and enough of them in those days”(Gilman 54). It must have taken a great leap in technology to achieve the structures of Herland, but since it happened so long ago, Gilman did not inform us of how this was achieved. Reading this passage, I envisioned the structures of the Incas and how well their stones are joined.

One concept I wanted to relay was how technology built upon itself. Without the internal combustion engine, there would have been no airplane to ferry our adventurers to this female utopia. The engine also lead to advancements in agricultural harvest and production.

My first visit was to the Lovejoy Library databases. The closest thing I found to what I was looking for was “Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Herland and the Tradition of the Scientific Utopia” by Andrew G. Christensen. Only broad concepts were mentioned, nothing that would make sense in a timeline. So, it was time to head to Wikipedia!

Never cite Wikipedia. The research gods will smite you. I only checked for general ideas and always looked to the cited material. If the citations were reputable, I went there and got the information first hand. For the internal combustion engine, Wikipedia was not specific in what I was looking for, so I turned to Google. Through many iterations of search terms, I found a copy of a presentation given by Paul D. Ronney from the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University or Southern California titled Internal Comnbustion Engines: The worst form of Vehicle Propusion – Except for All the other Forms. Originally given at a micro-seminar in 2017, the facts were succinct, accurate, and just what I was looking for.

The internet made the research for this project extremely easy. There was no rifling through card catalogs or searching through stacks for a book that may or may not have the information I needed. Don’t get me wrong, I love libraries. It’s just easier being able to do everything from my office desk. Research is more enjoyable when you have a research buddy curled up under your desk.