19th-Century People Have No Clue What To Do With 21st-Century Technology

If your distant ancestors got their hands an an Apple Watch, it’s safe to say their minds would be blown.

This photo series from Los Angeles-based photographer Qingjian Meng, called “Gold Rush,” provides a glimpse at 19th-century people interacting with modern technologies.

The portraits are meant to “create a dialogue between generations,” Meng says. “It shows the conflict between the two different eras and this reveals how cyclical economic and innovative tides can be within a society.”

The technologies include a tablet, Apple watch, e-cigarette, a Bluetooth headset, and even a drone. Check it out!