18791964

1879–1964 is used to denote a historical span that begins in the late 19th century and extends through much of the mid-20th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization, social change, and global conflict. The era opens with notable technological breakthroughs, such as the practical electric light bulb patented in 1879, which accelerated electrification and the growth of modern utilities and industry.

The early 20th century saw continued modernization: mass production and transportation transformed economies; new communications networks and consumer technologies became widespread; and scientific advances in medicine, physics, and chemistry expanded what societies could cure, build, and understand. By the 1910s and 1920s, urbanization and cultural shifts reshaped daily life in many regions, even as nations confronted economic volatility and political upheaval.

Global conflict dominated the first half of the century. World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945) remade borders, governance, and international institutions, while wars spurred advances in aviation, metallurgy, and code-breaking. The postwar era saw decolonization, the emergence of new nation-states, and the consolidation of international organizations such as the United Nations. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union influenced politics, science, and culture around the world.

Technological and social developments continued apace: radio and television spread information and entertainment, antibiotics and other medical innovations improved health outcomes, and early computing and space exploration began shaping new frontiers. Social movements expanded suffrage and civil rights, prompting reforms in many countries. The period culminated in the 1960s, a time of accelerating change and the laying of groundwork for late-20th-century globalization.