[TomGuy]

Presumably he was born in 1899. Just think what events he's seen in his lifetime! From the Czars through Lenin, Stalin, Kruschev, Gorbachev. From no human flight to landing on the moon and flying stealth bombers. Just amazing...

Yes. My maternal grandmother lived 1898-1992. It is difficult to conceive all the history she lived through, from what we consider "early inventions" through moon walks, space shuttles, etc. The 20ieth Century was a massive century for inventions and progress--and wars and atrocities (Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, Pol Pot, Amin).

[NittanyLion]

Even though I know it, upon reflection it's just incredible. One wonders what factors led to such rapid innovation. Education? Technology? Medicine?