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“Retrofuturism”: 103 Predictions From Past Generations That Were Either A Hit Or A Miss (New Pics)
The technology that we have today would absolutely blow the minds of anyone who lived over a hundred years ago. The fact that the internet not only exists but that we can access it from phones, watches, and glasses probably would have sounded insane to your great-great-grandparents.
But as long as humans have been around, they’ve been making predictions about what's to come. And thanks to the internet, we can now look back on some of the most amusing depictions of the future that past generations created. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite posts from the Retrofuturism subreddit. We might not have time travel yet, but for now, we hope you can settle for a trip back in time through this list of prophecies from the past!
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#1
Car Manufacturer Tatra Explaining Aerodynamics In A Simple Way For Anyone To Understand
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#2
Went To The Moma. Original Lithograph For Metropolis
#3
I Restored A 1930s Chrome Beehive Lamp And Made A Custom Retro Futurism Theme Mica Shade For It
The future is fascinating. It’s mysterious and exciting, and because we can’t know for certain what’s coming, it provides endless possibilities. Even when it looks bleak, you can choose to be optimistic and believe that good things are coming. And we can clearly see from the Retrofuturism subreddit that being fixated on the future is nothing new.
This community has been around since 2009, and it still boasts 33K weekly visitors. According to the page’s “about" section, it’s focused on “futuristic visions of eras past.” The moderators explain that after humanity’s sudden thrust into a technological revolution, people became optimistic about creating a technological utopia. And while we haven’t achieved that just yet, we still love to daydream about the magical future that will (hopefully) be here someday.
#4
Buckminster Fuller's 1938 Dymaxion
#5
Space Colony . Painting By Rick Guidice
#6
Cat Looking At Jupiter From A Space Station
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 day ago
Five minutes later the cat pushes the drink and the plate off the side.
If you were to imagine your perfect future, what would it be like? Would there be flying cars, or would everyone rely on free, accessible, and efficient public transportation? Would you live in a city full of skyscrapers, or would you prefer one covered in greenery? Would you be interested in taking weekend trips to the moon, or would you rather spend your free time visiting the bottom of the ocean?
Because it hasn’t arrived yet, we can imagine anything we want in the future. But if you’re looking for science-based predictions, the BBC got in touch with some experts to find out what technology they expect us to have in the coming decades.
#7
Current New Yorker Cover
#8
Some Stuff My Grandfather Drew In 1948 I Thought You Guys Might Like. The Text On The Bottom One Sais:”jet-Train 1984?”
Mother of Giants 1 day ago (edited)
The monorail. Cool. Had to look up monorail history. And if anyone is interested, the monorail was patented in 1821, first passenger monorail used in U.K. in 1851, the oldest, still operational monorail was built in 1901, and Disneyland's monorail was built/first used in 1959. ETA: OPs grandfather was one h e l l of an artist.
#9
An Epic Paris Of The Future, Illustrated By Moebius, AKA Jean Giraud
According to Professor Steven Bramwell at the London Center for Nanotechnology, we should expect the lines between machines, electronics, and biology to become “significantly blurred” in the next 25 years. This might mean nanotechnology implants to monitor the health of humans or aid communication. Bramwell also says we might have machines at a nanometer scale that can deliver medicine exactly where it needs to go in the body.
#10
Time, 1968, Race For The Moon Cover Art
#11
R.i.p. Douglas Trumbull (1942-2022)
#12
My Favorite Syd Mead Painting
Artificial intelligence has already become extremely pervasive in today’s society, and we shouldn’t expect it to slow down any time soon. But as for the next generation of AI, futurist Tracey Follows believes that it will have a huge impact on the way students learn. Instead of human teachers, Follows predicts AI teachers will give lessons across “virtual and physical realities” that can “adjust in real time.”
#13
1981 Vision Of Suburbia After There's No More Room Left For Suburbs
#14
1963: You'll Be Able To Carry A Phone In Your Pocket In The Future
#15
Concorde
Forrest Hobbs 15 hours ago
This ‘is the only picture ever taken of Concorde flying at Mach 2, 1350 mph. This unique image was taken from a Tornado fighter jet, which rendezvoused with Concorde for just four minutes over the Irish Sea in April 1985. The RAF Tornado, rapidly running out of fuel, was struggling to keep up with Concorde.' The Tornado needed reheat to hit Mach 2 - very fuel-inefficient. The only aircraft which could keep up with Concorde for any length of time were the Tu-144 (the Soviet SST) and the Blackbird spyplanes - the Blackbirds (A-12, SR-71, YF-12, M-21) could maintain Mach 3 for considerable distances. Link follows.
There are already many driverless vehicles on the streets, but the technology definitely hasn’t been perfected yet. These cars are notorious for driving onto train tracks and getting into accidents. But by 2050, writer Bill Douglass thinks that traffic will be a thing of the past. He explains that, if all cars are autonomous and safe, there’s no reason why they can’t go up to 100 MPH on highways. They’ll also be able to drive closer together, because if one stops, they’ll all react instantly. We won’t have to worry about human error causing accidents.
#16
Robot Dreams, 1988
#17
1939 Duesenberg Coupé Simone Midnight Ghost
#18
Gepetto By Artist Cedric Peyravernay
Some futurists even predict that a “technological singularity” is only a couple of decades away. This is a theoretical scenario in which AI technology becomes so advanced that it surpasses human cognitive abilities and can autonomously enhance itself. “The theory suggests that such advancements could evolve at a pace so rapid that humans would be unable to foresee, mitigate, or halt the process,” IBM explains. These AIs could potentially create innovations that are beyond human comprehension, which could be amazing or terrifying.
#19
Jakub Różalski
#20
The General Electric 70 Mev Electron Synchrotron, A Particle Accelerator Used For Radiation Therapy Used To Treat Cancer Patients With Radiation From 1956 To 1964
#21
Self-Contained Future 'Jet Ship,' Berkey Acrylic
While we certainly haven’t reached the technological singularity yet, there are signs that it’s getting closer. In only a few short years, generative AI has gone from creating blurry videos that don’t remotely resemble real life to making videos that people automatically assume were taken on a smartphone. I’m sure you’ve noticed your parents or grandparents liking or sharing “cute” videos of animals that, upon closer inspection, turn out to be AI. And if the technology can improve so much in less than half a decade, who knows what the future holds?
#22
"The Dystopic Future Of Manhattan As Envisioned By Architect And Artist Hugh Ferriss In The Early 1920s
#23
Food Delivery As Imagined Before Doordash / Grubhub / Uber Eats Etc
#24
From My Grandmother's Favorite Childhood Book: 1918 Concept Of Space Travel And Time Required To Reach Stellar Objects
Are you enjoying this simultaneous peek into the past and the future, pandas? Keep upvoting the images that you find particularly fascinating, and let us know in the comments below what predictions you have for the coming decades. Then, if you’re interested in checking out even more posts from Retrofuturism, you can find Bored Panda’s last article on the same topic right here!
#25
1970 Ferrari 512s Modulo Concept
#26
1980ish: Blade Runner Concept Art By Syd Mead, Police 'Spinner' Interior
Virgil Blue 21 hours ago
I think they used this as an inspiration to the car at the start of the game Observer.
#27
Space Station By Michał Migacz
#28
This Probably Belongs Here As Well
#29
Poster For 2001: A Space Odyssey. Given The Film Came Out In 1968, The Poster Seems Quiet Futuristic
Janissary35680 1 day ago
I still chuckle at the PanAm and Howard Johnson's "product-placement ads" in Kubrick's "2001". 😃
#30
A Boy Shows Off His Ray Gun, Around The 1950s
That’s all I yam 1 day ago
Cosmic Space Gun, Rocket USA, 2002: “This retro tin space gun comes complete with sparking action and is sure to have your enemies on the run. The Cosmic Space Gun is constructed of tin with Bare Metal finish to give it that lightweight, spacey feel.” Listed as a retro toy. ( Cosmic Space Gun, Entertainment Earth ). Date was taken from Ebay.
#31
Futuristic Road Trip With The Family (Bruce Mccall)
Janissary35680 1 day ago
The figure on the screen nearest the lower left corner is definitely in the style of a South Park character.
#32
1969 Japanese Vision Of The Future Classroom, The Odd Part Is That Included Small Robots To Rap Students On The Head When Misbehaving
#33
"Rocketeer" By Fabricio Moraes
#34
John Berkey's Visions Of The Future Are The Only Future I Want
#35
Record Cover I Made Recently For A Norwegian Band
#36
Was Told The TV Tower In Berlin I Drew Had Some Retrofuturism Vibes
#37
Mercury Train (New York)
#39
1959 Kuba Komet Entertainment Centre
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
Beautiful, but the insides tend to be somewhat of a mess, with all point-to-point wiring.
#40
Corporation Provided Accommodation, From My Sketchbook
#41
Cigarettes, Tape Reels, And Chrome. Enjoy Your Stay In This Retro 70's Luxe Suite
Bill Swallow 1 day ago (edited)
I'd know Syd Mead's style anywhere! (*Love* the open reels and ashtrays! In his hands, even that stuff manages to look cool!)
#43
32" Flat-Panel TV With Dvr Which Was Only 4 Inches Thick From 1961
#44
Vintage Tin NASA Space Station (Horikawa NASA Space Station), Produced By The Japanese Company Horikawa In The Early 1960s
#45
In Light Of Spacex' Recent Venture
#46
"North-2" A Soviet-Era Aerosled. It Was Designed To Transport Mail Across The More Remote Parts Of Siberia. Only 100 Were Produced Between 1958 And 1961
#47
Bike, Akira, 1991
#48
Kakapo's Nest
Linda Conaghan 1 day ago
For those that don't know, the Kakapo is a flightless parrot in New Zealand and is extremely endangered with ony 230ish left.
#51
Monument To Yuri Gagarin On Gagarin Square
That’s all I yam 1 day ago (edited)
Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who, aboard the first successful crewed spaceflight, became the first person to journey into outer space. Travelling on Vostok 1, Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961, with his flight taking 108 minutes”. “On 27 March 1968, while on a routine training flight from Chkalovsky air base, Gagarin and flight instructor Vladimir Seryogin died when their MiG-15UTI crashed near the town of Kirzhach.” ( Yuri Gagarin, Wikipedia )
#52
Artist Unknown, But Some Seriously Slick Work
#53
Otherness By Donato Giancola
#54
The Lasertour, By Perceptronics (1982)
#55
This Retro 1940s Inspired Racing Car Concept Is Powered By An Electric Drive Train. (More Pictures And Story In Comments)
Geoffrey Scott 23 hours ago
Talking with the salesman where we bought our last vehicle: "pretty sweet huh?" (electric Mustang)..."I suppose, tell me, why isn't there a solar collector on the roof to increase range?"..crickets
#56
This Is What They Thought The Year 2000 Would Look Like In The 1950s
nut nibbler 21 hours ago
Reminds me of the University buildings in Nottingham (Triumph Road for those who want to Google street view)
#57
Very Futuristic 1980 Citroën Karin Concept Car
#58
In 1985, Ebony Magazine Predicted What Michael Jackson Might Look Like In The Year 2000
#59
Jet Powered Aérotrain Project That Was Abandoned In 1977 Due To Lack Of Funding
That’s all I yam 1 day ago
The Aérotrain was an experimental Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle (TACV), or hovertrain, developed in France from 1965 to 1977 and intended to bring the French rail network to the cutting edge of land-based public transport.
#60
Fashions Of 1950, As Predicted On The Cover Of Life Magazine In 1914
#61
Not Mine, Just Cool
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
"Metallizing Gun". Either this is used to apply a spray-on metallic film on things, or to help turn people into Cybermen.
#62
I Found A French Biook With Lot's Of Illustrations Like This
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
One of the 'Terran Trade Authority' reference books. I think I have this one.
#63
Dave And Frank From Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
Don't feel too bad for Frank. He went on to be Lt. Gary Mitchell in Star Trek's second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
#64
Richard Corben
#65
Futuristic Netherlands, Drawn In 1970
NightOwlPanda 3 hours ago
A building just left of center and slightly toward the back looks like the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel, completed in 1962.
#66
1979 Atari's Vision Of A Computer Programmer
#67
Kyoto International Conference Center - Mainhall
#68
A Few Screenshots From Our Upcoming Game The Invincible That's Set In Retro-Future Timeline
WindySwede 1 day ago
OP "Hi everyone, We are working on a Stanislaw Lem-inspired Sci-Fi Thriller game called The Invincible. It's set in a retro-future timeline where digital technology hasn't been invented. For those that might be curious, we are coming to PC and next-gen consoles. You can also find more info about us here:" link below
#70
An Album Cover I Recently Finished Making
#71
Some Very Early Concept Art By James Cameron For What Would Eventually Become Avatar
Janissary35680 1 day ago
🎵🎶In the Na'vi... You get to climb enchanted trees! In the Na'vi... You can dragon-fly with ease! In the Na'vi... 🎶🎵 (There's more, including doing something to a giant Smurf.😄)
#72
How Porsche Cayenne Was Looked If It Was Designed In The 1970s!
#74
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Poster Concept Artwork By Robert T. Mccall
#75
In Another Timeline
#76
Ed Emshwiller - A Female Android (1954)
#77
My Futuristic Car That Used Futurized Automotive Details Of The Good Ol' Time
#78
This Was An Actual Space Suit Grumman Aircraft Corp Tried To Sell NASA In 1962
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
NASA didn't take it, so they sold it to Mattel as part of the 'Major Matt Mason' astronaut toy line.
#81
Atom Ray Gun - USA Late 1940s
#82
Anyone Seen The Bus Stops Built In The Ussr? Links To More Pics In Comments
#84
Citroën Karin, 1980
#87
Peter Andrew Jones Cover Art For "The Zap Gun" By Philip K. Dick (1975 Edition)
#89
Where Did We Go Wrong?
NightOwlPanda 3 hours ago
Man, dig that crazy pinball machine. That you play while in the pool.
#91
Miss Amanda Lee Pool - Space Ranger
#93
Italdesign Aztec (1988)
Hiram's Friend 12 hours ago
At least there a physical switches and buttons, not a fingerprint covered glass POS
#94
The Crew Of A NASA Lockheed Sr-71 Blackbird Standing By The Aircraft In Their Pressurized Flight Suits (1991)
#95
"Dining Table" - Illustration By Sung Choi
#96
Perry Rhodan I
#97
1956-58 The "Golden Sahara" Concept Car
#98
Woman In A Tube
Bill Swallow 1 day ago
Except for the crowd of medical personnel, that could be 'Helen O'Loy' (1938, Lester Del Rey).
#99
The Hyundai Pony Ev Concept
#100
Some Robert Laduke Paintings
#101
The Nuclear-Powered Lockheed Cl-1201 Usaf Flying Aircraft Carrier Concept (1960s)
#103
Hanging Out In The Year 2020 Trapper Keeper, 1993
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David Paterson 1 day ago
Fantastic artwork. These need to be better known. Much better than surrealism.
David Paterson 1 day ago
Fantastic artwork. These need to be better known. Much better than surrealism.
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