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What 1958 thought 2008 would look like…
By Linda | February 13, 2008
On my page entitled “The Mission” I describe some of the influences in my childhood that fired up my own love of science. I was, and still am, a huge fan of Walt Disney and his ever optimistic vision of humankind’s future and how science will serve to make our lives better and better.
It’s a bit sad that as I trolled around the internet looking for content, I couldn’t really find any visionary examples of what people today think that life in 2058 will look like.
Here is a sampling (most of it Disney related) of what the future looked like through the optimistic eyes of yesterday.
2008 Cadillac
Did you know that Walt Disney’s original concept for Epcot was as an actual functioning city? It was Walt’s plan to populate his Utopian metropolis with individuals and families that would work, live and play here, never needing to venture elsewhere! “Epcot” is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
Concept drawing of EPCOT City
Concept drawing depicting the interior of an EPCOT City building
Concept model of EPCOT City
In 1957 Disneyland in Anaheim opened The Monsanto House of the Future.
Sponsored by the chemical company Monsanto, the attraction offered a tour of a futuristic house, set in the year 1986, and featured futuristic inventions like microwave ovens and electric toothbrushes many of which have actually found their way into our everyday lives.
The Monsanto House of the Future at Disneyland
Interior of Monsanto House of the Future complete with futuristic couple
Interior of the Monsanto House of the Future
This video highlights some of the futuristic gadgets and gizmos showcased in Monsanto’s House of the Future. Fabulous!
To take a look at some fashions that would be just right for these futuristic folks CLICK HERE.
Topics: Retro Science, Technology, The Petri Dish |
March 12th, 2008 at 12:34 am
[...] am endlessly amused by what yesterday imagined that the world of tomorrow would look like. Why do you suppose they thought we’d be wearing so much aluminum foil in the future - [...]
April 28th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
[...] Take a look at some of the early concept drawing for Disney’s Epcot City. Walt originally conceived of it as E.P.C.O.T. (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow). To see Walt Disney’s vision CLICK HERE [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
[...] To see more of Walt Disney’s vision of tomorrow CLICK HERE. [...]