All About Uranus:

When Sir Willian Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781, the world was on the move in myriad dramatic ways that included new methods of scientific investigation; advances in industrial technology; migration from the countryside to the towns; colonial expansion; and the political upheavals that climaxed in the French Revolution and the birth of the United States, with its instance on "The Rights Of Man". Such typically radical Uranus developments gave birth to the modern world and ultimately to todays globally integrated society with all its benefits, possibilities and problems. The planet was named after Uranus because he was the father of Saturn, just as Saturn was the father of Jupiter. In astrological terms the name was an apt one. The planets key phrase is "drastic change", and Uranus (Ouranos), god of the sky, son and consort of Gaia, The Earth himself fell victim to such a drastic change when he was castrated  and overthrown by his son, Kronos (Saturn). Today this planet has come to represents the creative power of the human will. New inventions, theories, discoveries, and relationships that may seem startling at first. The dynamic possibilities of Uranus are sudden, exciting, earth-shattering and dangerous. Such energy must be harnessed with care but its very nature makes that difficult.  In the birth chart, Uranus rules our inventive side through which we excite and surprise, even ourselves. Its placement in our chart reveals the ease of our relationship with innovation, such as new technology, and whether we tend to accept or question conventional attitudes. A well placed Uranus may indicate that we have innovative talent, but we should recognize that personal brilliance alone have its limitations. We should avoid being didactic about "scientific truth" and "vital" social causes. Uranus arrogance can impose change on others "for their own good", whether or not they want or need it. Uranus has an 84 year orbit, passing through each zodiac sign for 7 years and influencing assumptions about technology and society during that period. This explains various crazes and the rise and fall of gadgets and media. When printing was first demonstrated in the 1440's, Uranus was in Gemini. It was in the same sign in the 1940's, when the electronic computer was invented.