We still have quite a ways to go before we get to live like the Jetsons with towering pods, robot maids and flying cars… but we may not be far off. People love to predict where the future might take us especially with all of our technological advances as of late, here is what folks had to say 100 years ago:
1 – We would be flying to work
Now, we aren’t far off actually. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States has already granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Alef Aeronautics in California last year. They claim that we will see the first flying cars on the road in 2025.
2 – Cities would be totally rebuilt around cars
Now this one is already true but in 1924, a Swedish architect wrote, “In the city of a hundred years from now, I see three-deck roads, speedways through the heart of town, and skyscrapers with entrances for automobiles as high as 15 stories.”
He would be fairly impressed to know that we have actually surpassed those numbers with the Huangjuewan Overpass in Chongqing, China which boasts 5 levels with 20 ramps. The architect would also probably be astonished to know we have greatly surpassed 15 stories with projects like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai with over 160 floors!
3 – A limit to the number of kids we have
A Department of Agriculture official predicted we wouldn’t have enough food to go around. So births would “have to be limited in some manner” by 2024. While something like this had never been enacted, we are seeing a trend in more young adults being not interested in having children.
4 – Women would be in charge, Men are raising the kids
In a letter to the New York Daily News, a guy said “women will occupy all the highest positions,” and men will just do physical labor, or stay home to, quote, “wait on the babies or mind the pets.”
5 – Constant war everywhere
The president of the American Chemical Society thought futuristic weapons would mean major cities would constantly be under attack. He wasn’t far off, considering 32 countries are currently experiencing conflict.
6 – World Peace
Movie mogul D.W. Griffith predicted moving pictures would help end all wars, because they were a “universal language” that could help us all understand each other. Quite a claim indeed.
7 – 75 would seem young
Considering the Golden Bachelor is 72 and Stevie Nicks is 75 still looking like she’s in her 50s, this one definitely checks out.
8 – Working from home
In a book called Wireless Possibilities, author Archibald Montgomery Low basically predicted the Internet. He said we’d be doing most things remotely, and it would be great if you hate cities. From the book: “What a help to the man who objects to a large city! Why could he not conduct his business from his house in comfort?”, while I love the city, I’m with you there Low.
9 – Horses would go extinct
A professor at USC predicted horses would be an endangered species, because the invention of automobiles would render them useless. While horses aren’t a common form of transportation, breeding and showcasing is still very much alive.
10 – We would have no teeth
A nationally syndicated advice columnist thought America’s eating habits could drastically change our looks. Quote, “Will we have any teeth at all? Will there be any color on our face except paint? Will the men have any height to speak of, or will they be all girth?”
