When we think of the past, we tend to either romanticize it or flat‑out abhor it. Yet the 18th century packed enough quirks, breakthroughs, and oddball customs to make us wonder why we don’t time‑travel back. Here are the top ten reasons the 18th century was awesome, complete with the wild details that keep historians chuckling.
Why the Reasons 18th Century Still Captivate Us
10 Great Safeguards for the Poor
English Parliament rolled out three separate laws that resembled a primitive welfare system. The Workhouse Test Act let the destitute receive aid—but only if they pledged to look for work. Churches could also snag federal aid to feed and house the needy. When jobs ran dry, the government commissioned building projects, erecting ornamental “follies” that doubled as employment for unskilled laborers. Many of those whimsical structures still dot the landscape today.
9 Coffeehouses: Free Lectures for a Penny
London’s coffeehouses became the era’s version of today’s coworking spaces. For a single penny, anyone could sip a brew while professors from Oxford or Cambridge debated politics, science, and philosophy. These informal “free lectures” sparked a literacy boom and helped launch hundreds of newspapers across Europe.
8 Frankist Orgy Cult
Polish mystic Jacob Frank claimed messianic status for both Judaism and Christianity, spawning the Frankist movement. Though excommunicated by the Polish church, his followers embraced a radical belief that ritualistic orgies were the fastest route to the divine. The cult’s reputation for hedonistic rites made it one of the era’s most infamous—yes, you could have joined an orgy cult in the 1700s.
7 The Coolest Best‑Selling Books
Best‑selling titles of the 1700s were anything but today’s literary fare. One runaway hit was “Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies,” essentially a Yelp‑style guide to the city’s most sought‑after courtesans. The book’s popularity reflected a society where prostitution was woven into everyday life.
6 The Coolest Animal Attractions
London’s circus scene wasn’t limited to bearded ladies. Around 1760, the “Learned Pig” wowed crowds by solving arithmetic, telling time, playing cards, and even attempting fortune‑telling—all thanks to classical conditioning. Its fame sparked imitators, including a U.S. pig accused of witchcraft that had to flee for its life.
5 Early Sunglasses
Optician James Ayscough originally crafted tinted lenses hoping they’d correct vision. When the tint didn’t improve eyesight, he sold them anyway. The result? Blue‑ and green‑hued spectacles that made 18th‑century fashionistas look cooler than anyone with today’s standard shades.
4 Soda Water & the Birth of Schweppes
Joseph Priestley first fizzed water by mixing oxygen with water, creating the world’s inaugural soda water. He never commercialized it, but entrepreneur J.J. Schweppe saw the potential and turned the bubbly concoction into a thriving business—giving us the Schweppes brand we still sip today.
3 Amusement Parks Were a Thing
While roller coasters were centuries away, the 18th century boasted “Pleasure Gardens.” Initially exclusive to the aristocracy, these parks eventually welcomed all classes, offering concerts, theatrical stages, gazebos, shops, zoos, and even early carousels. Some Russian gardens even featured primitive roller coasters and public harems—talk about a mixed‑use venue!
2 Twelve Days of Christmas Extended
Unlike today’s single‑day holiday frenzy, the 18th‑century Christmas stretched across twelve nights of feasting, games, gifts, and revelry. When the season ended, the festivities immediately resumed on “Twelfth Night,” a sanctioned “Opposite Day” where social norms were deliberately flipped.
1 Beerhouse Act and Cheap Alcohol
To curb public drunkenness, Parliament passed the Beerhouse Act, granting anyone a dirt‑cheap license to sell beer (but not stronger spirits). This led to a boom of “beerhouses,” often just front‑porches where locals could sip cheap ale. Of course, the experiment was later tightened when the government realized that easy access didn’t solve intoxication.