Re: 100 years ago, they had the technology to...
A little known but very interesting scientifical fack. The experience in the construction industry has been that for every so many minor but recordable accidents, there is a major accident. I believe the number is 1 in 14 or so.
The thinking is that the same mental lapses lead to all accidents, it's just that about 1 in 14 are in a worse circumstance.