Satirical Study Claims 19th-Century Americans Spent 93% of Time Waving at Trains and Boats
By
The Onion Staff
Lightly browned and well buttered. A solid pick from the rack.
Summary
A satirical study from Brown University historians claims that 19th-century Americans spent 93% of their waking hours waving at trains and boats, based on fictional journal entries and daguerreotype photographs showing people shouting farewells to travelers. The article presents this as historical research but is clearly humorous parody.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledthe average 19th-century American spent roughly 93% of their waking hours waving at trains and boats
Journal entries from the period show that most citizens spent their days stationed at docks and rail platforms shouting things like 'Do write when you get to Siam!' to anyone who happened to be leaving
in early daguerreotype photographs, Americans are o
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