BOOKS THAT FORETOLD THE FUTURE
Added on: 28th Oct 2015
ATOMIC BOMBS
In what is probably one of the more grim predictions on this list,
H.G. Wells predicted the use of atomic bombs in his 1914 novel,
A World Set Free. 31 years later, in 1945, the first atomic bomb
was dropped over Japan.
VOICEMAIL
Nine years after A World Set Free, when he wrote Men Like Gods,
H.G. Wells predicted the use of voice mail. It took 57 more years
(1980) until voicemail was popularized.
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION
Daedalus; or, Science and the Future was a book written by J.B.S. Haldane
in 1924. The story includes the concept of in vitro fertilization. It
wasn’t until 53 years later, in 1977, that the first successful in
vitro fertilization was performed.
GENETIC ENGINEERING
In his popular 1932 book A Brave New World Aldous Huxley predicts
the use of genetic engineering. 40 years later, in 1972, the first
genetic manipulation was performed.
GOVERNMENT SPYING
In his 1948 book called 1984 (confusing right?), George Orwell predicted
widespread government spying. 16 years later, in 2013, the
NSA spying scandal made headlines.
IN EAR HEADPHONES
His 1950 book Fahrenheit 451 includes the idea of earbuds, or in ear
headphones. 51 years later, in 2001, Apple earbuds were released.
COMMUNICATION SATELLITES
In 1951 when Arthur C. Clarke wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey he
predicted the use of communication satellites. 14 years later, in
1965, the first communication satellite was launched.
VIRTUAL REALITY
5 years later Arthur wrote The City And The Stars (1956) which
mentions virtual reality video games. 10 years later, in 1966, the
first flight simulator was developed.
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