Before the eighteenth century, did anyone believe that technology 100+ in the future would be majorly different to the technology they had at present, or is the idea of human history as stages of technological progress largely a product of the enlightenment and the industrial revolution?

by reproachableknight
jelvinjs7

More can be said, but in the meantime I’ll turn your attention the 9Science fiction and the future before electricity” section of the FAQ.