Science has come a very long way. The 18th and 19th century held the era of the industrial revolution, hell you practically started any technological advancement in your time. But the 20th century was really when any form of advanced technological changes happened, from about 1980 onwards we've been constantly developing computers and from knowledge gained from the Apple - Abstergo created the animus.

[Giving a sigh he nods.]

Whilst Ezio may have succeeded in hindering them greatly in his era.. Abstergo are winning in our time. They know more about the past than we do. They've been kidnapping assassins and forcing them into the animus at great psychological expenses.