It is well known to archaeologists and antiquarians that the pony civilization of the [[Golden Age]] advanced to incredible heights of magical and other scientific technological achievements. Unfortunately, much technical knowledge, and, perhaps more significantly, sophisticated industrial infrastructure, was lost in the [[Catastrophe]] and following [[Dark Age]]. 

Even the earliest popular written accounts of the technical sophistication of the Golden Age have undoubtedly been distorted by nostalgic embellishment, and archaeologists have found many nonfunctional artifacts of obvious sophistication but unclear purpose. In some cases, artifacts have been understood only after equivalent devices were reinvented. In any case, it is difficult to separate history from legend where the technology of the Golden Age is concerned. Did ponies really transmit moving pictures by aetheric waves, create artificial wings for Earth Ponies and Unicorns, fire a brick moon into the sky, invent hangover-free salt-licks, or discover the cure for stupidity, as old stories tell us? It remains unclear.

Contemporary technology can be characterized more accurately. The magical arts and sciences have declined comparatively little since the Golden Age, and we focus on the other aspects of technology here. Scholars busy themselves with conducting practical experiments in such new fields as electricity and magnetism, and with the recovery of ancient texts on these topics. Engineers have made progress in understanding ancient technology as well as developing new devices; the [[Docktown Railroad|restored steam-powered locomotive system]] based in Docktown is the preeminent example of the former in the [[Dusts]]. Serious hopes of building new replicas of these machines, and perhaps adapting their engines to fixed use and the use of solar energy are entertained there. Advances in lense-making allowed the construction of a practical [[Communications|optical telegraph system]] earlier in the century. The [[Aeropony]] is a wonder famous even beyond the Dusts. Still, a return to the technological level and standard of living seen in the Golden Age is a distant hope even with respect to the most sober appraisal of the legends.