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BOOKS THAT FORETOLD THE FUTURE

Added on: 28th Oct 2015

 

ATOMIC BOMBS

atomic bomb

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

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

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

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

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

earbuds

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

Communication Satellite

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

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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