Infographic: 24 Books that Predicted the Future
Science Fiction has long tried to predict the future, and sometimes the predictions have proven true. Jules Verne conceived of the electric submarine 16 years before the first one launched. The Machine Stops conceived of a worldwide communications network 40 years before the first computer network.
This amazing infographic from Printer Inks lists 24 books that predicted – and surely inspired – technology innovations we use now in our daily life. It got a few details wrong, but in general it is a fun read.
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Comments
Lance May 14, 2014 um 11:20 am
It is bizarre and sad that people think Apple invented in-ear headphones. Which makes me doubt the accuracy of the rest of this chart.
Nate Hoffelder May 14, 2014 um 11:31 am
The point about electric submarines is also horribly inaccurate.
Fritz G May 14, 2014 um 12:11 pm
I remember reading and loving "Stand on Zanzibar" when it first came out. I’m now amazed at how well it predicted future developments.
Stumbling Over Chaos :: In this, the hour of our linkity discontent May 16, 2014 um 3:01 am
[…] 24 books that predicted the future infographic. […]
Cyfranek August 26, 2016 um 10:35 am
E-book readers at "Return from the Stars" by Stanis?aw Lem (1961) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_from_the_Stars
carmen webster buxton August 26, 2016 um 12:57 pm
When I read classic science fiction now, it’s not the bad guesses on technology that stand out, it’s how little the author anticipated social changes, like women in the workforce, gay rights, and greater equality for people of color. I read Bester’s THE STARS MY DESTINATION and was appalled when the "hero" raped a woman to get revenge on the universe. Attitudes change as much as technology.
Teds Kostadinova August 26, 2016 um 1:07 pm
A Space Odyssey 2001- the "Newspad" e-reader device for electronic newspapers 🙂