Wow, watermelon has really changed

Nope, it's the result of dehydration in watermelons. Grow a "modern" watermelon without enough water and it looks the same. Google it.

irrigation technology: 17th century and now

Ours puts the ‘water‘ in ‘watermelon‘

Have you seen cats in 17th century paintings?

If you look closely at a watermelon, you will see the swirls. They’re quite pretty.