The Future in a Hundred Years

Along with various columnists and academics of the era, Archibald Low, a British scientist and inventor published The Future in 1925 – their predictions for 100 years, or how they envisioned life in 2025.

What they got right

The smartphone & video calls: One prediction called for a "pocket-sized apparatus" that would allow people to see and hear each other from anywhere. Plus they saw "automatic telephones" that would dial numbers correctly every time.

Television & streaming: "Television machines" and home loudspeakers would replace newspapers including global broadcasts accessible at the press of a button.

The smart home: They predicted homes filled with "electrical devices" that would handle "heavy and disagreeable work," specifically automatic dishwashers as well as machines that would open doors or cook meals.

Renewable energy: They claimed that "wind and tide" would be harnessed to power the world.

What they got wrong

Daily massages: They believed that our days would begin with a "radio light treatment" or a mechanical massage to keep us "fit and alert for the day’s business."

The end of baldness (or universal baldness): Here the experts were split. Some thought science would eliminate baldness, while some predicted that the constant wearing of hats would lead to universal hair loss for everyone by 2025.

Synthetic fashion: Thankfully they predicted that we would all be dressed in one-piece felt suits with matching hats.

The end of sleep: Some scientists predicted development of a chemical substitute for sleep (using acid sodium phosphate) allowing humans to work or play 24/7.

Peace & health: Post-World War I optimists predicted that by 2025, nations would live in "permanent peace" and that diseases like cancer would be entirely eradicated.

“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.”

— Walt Disney, American animator, film producer, voice actor and entrepreneur