An excellent way of thinking of this is that of a Van De Graff machine. If you are familiar with this device, you will instantly find the analogy helpful. The motor spins at a high rate of speed to cause the charged belt to move through a column and throw off loose static charges. These charges are centrifugally thrown into the inside of an accumulator which allows the charge to build up on the outside surface. This principle is the same as the Rope Pump, though using a different form of energy.
Modern times emphasizes rushing around and the hurry-up idea.
As a result, we think everything should happen instantly. We can attribute this partly to the many interests of modern society and events which constantly draw ones' attention. Thus, we try to cram whatever we can into our available time. When times were slower, accumulation of energy over long time periods was accepted as the normal course of things. The actual use of the accumulated energy is over a relatively short duration so the buildup can again resume to the maximum level of the storage chamber.