Things are rapidly changing and technology is evolving faster and becoming crazier than ever. Things exist now that people could have never even imagined 30 or 40 years ago. It's pretty amazing and kind of terrifying at the same time to think about how quickly everything is evolving. It also makes it kind of difficult to even think about what the future from now on will look like.
Back in the day, the things people thought would be developed in the future were kind of crazy and super interesting to see. Some of the classic things everyone thought would exist by now are flying cars, being able to live on other planets, and things like virtual reality. Some cool concept do exist in the modern world, but many of these ancient ideas have yet to be made.
Enjoy some images, prototypes, and illustrations from the past that depicted what people thought the future, or the modern world, would look like. People have some pretty big ideas for the world.
The Mercury Locomotive from New York Central Railroad, 1936
(Source: Reddit)
Everyday Science, 1933
(Source: Reddit)
Flying aircraft carrier concept, 1943
(Source: Reddit)
Panasonic TR-005 Orbitel
(Source: Reddit)
Art from 1982
(Source: Reddit)
Terran Trade Authority illustration from 1978
(Source: Reddit)
Grundig Stenorette S voice recorder, 1955
(Source: Reddit)
The Schienenzeppelin, 1931
(Source: Reddit)
Astronaut, 1960
(Source: Reddit)
Cover art for Young Person's Guide to UFOs, 1979
(Source: Reddit)
Illustrations from the 1960s
(Source: Reddit)
Star Bridge, 1978
(Source: Reddit)
Future cruise ship concept
(Source: Reddit)
Christmas on the moon, 1954
(Source: Reddit)
Inside a space colony in 2026, from 1976
(Source: Reddit)
An early VR headset from 1985
(Source: Reddit)
Ad for Hubot, the personal house robot, 1984
(Source: Reddit)
Art for The Sentinel, 1990
(Source: Reddit)
Pioneer Car Stereo, 1987
(Source: Reddit)
Sinclair FM radio watch, 1984
(Source: Reddit)
Amphicar Model 770, 1961
(Source: Reddit)
Magazine from 1931
(Source: Reddit)
Inflatable module for lunar base, 1989
(Source: Reddit)