Its century-long growth into a worldwide cultural phenomenon is rooted in two often overlooked factors: demographics and timing.

<img src="https://compote.slate.com/images/9fd1fa00-b62a-4c1f-89a5-717e8f696694.jpeg?crop=1560,1040,x0,y0" title="The Unique Combination of Factors That Made the Titanic Become So Famous” /> 

By