Fantastic Future: 1940s Vision of the Future

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a video from the 1940s or 1950s that presents a vision of the future. Participants explore the themes and predictions depicted in the video, as well as similar works from that era.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in the video and asks for more information and similar content.
  • Another participant notes that the prevalence of televisions in the future predictions reflects the contemporary significance of the technology in the 1940s and 1950s.
  • A participant humorously comments on a futuristic concept of a flying ambulance with long legs.
  • One participant mentions a book from the 1960s discussing genetically modified killer whales for ocean mining, suggesting it reflects the speculative nature of future predictions.
  • There is a suggestion that the video might be related to "Futurama," a model of the future presented at the 1964 World's Fair, with references to its origins at the 1939 World's Fair.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the information about the video and shares enthusiasm for similar films.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the content and implications of the video, with some agreeing on the humorous and speculative nature of past predictions, while others raise questions about specific references and connections to other works. No consensus is reached regarding the exact identity of the video or its relation to other future-themed exhibits.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific technological predictions and cultural contexts from the 1940s and 1950s, highlighting the influence of contemporary inventions on future visions. There are also mentions of various exhibits and literature that may or may not be directly related to the video in question.

henxan
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Fantastic future!

I found this video upon stumbling around on the net. It features a vision of the future. The video seems to be made in the 1940/1950ties.

Do anybody have more information on the video? Are there more videos in the same category?

It is remarkably that they actually hit with at least a couple of the prospects: rear view screen in cars, television conferencing(~pc)..

Anyhow, would be interesting to see more in the same category. here is the link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7453200794115982496&hl=en"
 
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Video is blocked but that is typical. In the 40s/50s TV was the new invention so eveything in the future would have TVs in it. There are popular mechanics articles from the 20s/30s which show a huge electric motor in each house running everything, because electric motors were the new invention - so the future must be based on them.

Worth thinking about everytime someone tells you how the internet will be on everything in the future.
 
yeah I don't know where this semi-conductor physics is going.
 
Too funny! I love the flying ambulance with long legs!
 
I've got a book from the 60's I think based on a lecture given to NASA and universities back then called "the next billion years of mankind". It is pretty funny. The book says that in the future we might make genetically modified killer whales to mine the oceans.
 
W3pcq said:
I've got a book from the 60's I think based on a lecture given to NASA and universities back then called "the next billion years of mankind". It is pretty funny. The book says that in the future we might make genetically modified killer whales to mine the oceans.

Thats not a plug for the Cloverfield movie is it? :wink:
 
I couldn't get it to work, but might it be "Futurama" from the 60s? It was a model of the future with similar strange things.
 
binzing said:
I couldn't get it to work, but might it be "Futurama" from the 60s? It was a model of the future with similar strange things.
Futurama was an exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. Actually, the first Futurama was at the 1939 world's fair, but I wasn't around for that. It was the GM exhibit. The Disney exhibit at the 1964 WF was "It's a Small World After All". However, when I saw the link, I too thought it was from that exhibit. Perhaps it was shown there, but it was made in 1958. Here's a link.

http://trailfire.com/guide/page/1510066/"
 
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jimmysnyder:

Thanks very much for finding the info on the video! I loved this film. Would be fun seeing more like it.