In 1897, the world was experiencing significant changes, particularly in technology and culture. This year marked the first modern London Underground electric train service, revolutionizing urban transportation. Additionally, the Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was asserting his influence, leading to shifts in European politics. The year also saw the publication of Dracula by Bram Stoker, a novel that would become a classic of Gothic literature. In the realm of science, the Curies were making strides in the study of radioactivity, laying the groundwork for future discoveries in physics and medicine.