Society back then was different and part of that was, that the gathering of knowledge, a nerdiness and enthusiasm for the new, was seen as something distinguished. Gentleman after the renessaince, bragged with book cases, private studies, curiosity cabinets and private museums.
Add to that the lack of enterntainments and distractions, against which a chemical experiment set or a rocket kit had to not compete against, and you are getting closer to the answer. Back then, you might read a lexica for entertainment, and think the whole day about it, while doing something else.
Society back then was different and part of that was, that the gathering of knowledge, a nerdiness and enthusiasm for the new, was seen as something distinguished. Gentleman after the renessaince, bragged with book cases, private studies, curiosity cabinets and private museums.
Add to that the lack of enterntainments and distractions, against which a chemical experiment set or a rocket kit had to not compete against, and you are getting closer to the answer. Back then, you might read a lexica for entertainment, and think the whole day about it, while doing something else.