Well, folks, here's a fun fact: Life insurance in the 1880s was about as common as a unicorn at a Kentucky Derby! It was indeed a novelty, quite like our modern-day love for avocado toast. While there was an awareness about life insurance, it was seen more as an extravagance than a necessity. So, if your great-great-grandad had one, he was definitely living the high life! In short, life insurance wasn't the hot ticket item on everyone's list in the 1880s, but hey, neither were smartphones and we've managed to survive just fine!