Imagine that we developed technology out of order. I know – things had to be invented in a certain order to lead to better inventions, and so forth until we ended up with what we have now; humor me, please.
For instance, what if King Arthur’s knights sat around the Round Table discussing the latest “moving tapestries”? Or if Christopher Columbus sailed around with all the convenience of electricity? Can you imagine Louis and Clark having an army of robots before cars were invented? Or explorers traveling through the wilderness in cars, before electricity is really understood?
What threw history down the “wrong” line of invention? Is there a time traveler loose? Or did an idea occur to someone, without the in-between steps being necessary?
If you could time-travel, would you give “new” technology out to someone in the past? Why? How would doing so affect modern life? What would happen if someone saw your time machine?
Just remember, this is your story, from your imagination. Normal rules don’t have to apply. If you want something to happen, it can – you’re in charge!