A few curious questions: Electricity and running water?

[SienaJackson]

I just had a few questions, in th other EW forum I asked how they tell time, but I was wondering, I suppose they didn't have electricity and ways to keep things cool or running water either? Just wondered, Frodo's kitchen is lighted well, and where he writes, it said they had pans of steaming water for baths and stuff, but did they have to use fire to heat up water and cook, or did they have electriciy to do it with?? I am just curious. I thought Tolkein lived in the time of cars and electricity but maybe not? The books areen't real clear either LOL.

[Andúnië]

LotR was definately not set in such a recent period. Think medieval... ish.

[Mithrandir]

There definately wasn't electricity in the Shire or any part of Middle-earth. Running water is something that is far older than electricity. Just look at the Roman aquaducts. I don't seem to remember that the Hobbits had running water, though.

Please note: the Shire is somewhat more 'modern' than the other parts of Middle-earth (example: they had umbrellas and an advanced mail-system). It resembles Tolkien's own time more closely, but still represents the past.

[Beren One-Hand]

On a slight digression: the Romans even had central heating - pretty advanced for their time.  I believe the Numenorians were fairly advanced for their time - kind of Romanesque.  Their's was a golden age on Middle-Earth; then the "dark ages" ensued and continued for many years, until after the War of the Ring - when Aragorn becomes king and the ring of power is destroyed; then we have a sort of "Rennaissance" time in Middle-Earth.

[QuietLunatic]

And when you're writing about a world of your own creation, you can have it any way you like. I'm thinking the heating of water was achieved with fire...after all, that's how I heat my house: I have hot water heat and a wood burning furnace to heat said water.

[the-glyphon]

Um, people heated water and moved water well before electrcity 

I know people know who use woodstoves even now, they are very efficient.  As are hand pumps to draw up well water.

[QuietLunatic]

Which reminds me: I want to get a hand pump on my dug well. I have a drilled well for the water to the house, and I'm thinking the dug well would do for watering my garden and such.

[MissyDog]

def no electricity as mentioned before but i think the water was just a matter of a conviently placed fire....