We always wonder about the future – what it holds for us? How the world would be like a century from now. The same thing happened with people before us. They wondered about the future of science and what it would do in the future as we do.
In this article, we are going to explore that. We will see what people predicted for 2021 in the year 1921
Predictions from Charles Steinmetz
The thermostat seems like a normal necessity in everyday life. But did we ever wonder how did this happen? it is the result of many scientific revolutions.
Charles Steinmetz, an electrical engineer known as “The Wizard of Schenectady”, wrote an article that was about a revolution in home environments –
“When heating is done all electrically, and I want 70 degrees in my home, I shall set the thermostat at 70 and the temperature will not rise above that point. This temperature will be maintained uniformly regardless of the weather outside.
“This will also hold true on the warm day when the temperature outside may be 90 or 100 degrees. The same electrical apparatus will cool the air. And what’s more, it will keep the humidity normal at all times.
Another one from Steinmetz –
“There will be no need to go to some congested, poorly ventilated hall for a musical concert. We just push a plug into a base receptacle, as we do for the vacuum cleaner or table lamp, and we can have the concert brought into our homes.
“Music will be supplied by a central station and distributed to subscribers by wire, just as we get our telephone service today. Perhaps this may be by wireless, the home is equipped with a radio-receiving apparatus. With this arrangement improved, we may hear grand opera stars as they sing in European capitals while sitting in our libraries at home.”
Predictions from Moses Folsom
In August of 1921, the Miami News ran a column by Moses Folsom called “One Hundred Years from Now” about his predictions.
“By 2021 the phonographic principle may have become practically infallible and the best books will be reproduced in plates for use in many different styles of speaking machines. The exact tones of the elocutionist in speaking the words of the dramatist, poet, teacher, philosopher, and novelist will be imitated in the library or parlor of every home. The exact tones of the sweet singer will also be faithfully reproduced on records to last long after the voice of the singer is silent in the sleep that knows no waking.’’
Another one from the Miami News writer –
“Moving sidewalks and elevators may be found in the densely populated cities, and tubes may connect cities, and men travel in them at a speed that is dazzling to the senses. Colored photography will be a fact and vast improvements made in movie pictures. The tides may be used for power as well as the rays of the sun for heat and power.’’
Predictions from Thomas Gooley
Kids say the darndest things – How many times we have come across this term? They really do but sometimes it’s surprising to see the wonder and hope in these words. The local newspaper in the Fall River, Massachusetts invited children to write their predictions. Among all the predictions, the best entry was by fourteen-year-old Thomas Gooley.
“On reaching the wharf we would ask for a ticket for a first-class cabin passage on the next boat. The ticket seller would laugh at us and say, You do not go over the Atlantic anymore, old man, but under it in a tunnel.’’
Just like we are sitting in anticipation of flying cars, robots, people in 1921 wondered all these. Seems weird how we use the things people waited for in 1921 with so much hope and anticipation. Well, maybe we do take the wonders of science lightly!
