"In 1999": Technology According to a student from 1906

In a great book I'm reading, Close To Shore by Michael Capuzzo, he includes a poem by a 1906 prep school student in order to re-create a particular time in history. What's great about it is that he uses 'Martian style' along-side 'wireless telephone' and 'self-reading books'. I feel that the tone of the poem is humorous, but how weird that he would use terms that we use today. And that those terms describe very modern technology!

In 1999

Father goes to the office
In his new bi-aeroplane
And talks by wireless telephone
To Uncle John--in Spain
Mother goes a-shopping
She buys things more or less
And has them sent home C.O.D.
Via "Monorail Express."
Sister goes a-calling
She stays here and there awhile
And discusses with her many friends
The latest Martian style
And when her calling list is through
She finds a library nook
And there with great enjoyment hears
A new self-reading book.