Paleofuture

Welcome to the Paleofuture blog, where we explore past visions of the future. From flying cars and jetpacks to utopias and dystopias.

Futures, Ranked

Aug 11

Aug 11 Futures, Ranked

These Trippy 1970s TV Ads Warned That The Government Was Spying On You

Aug 11

Aug 11 These Trippy 1970s TV Ads Warned That The Government Was Spying On You

The History of Ads Disguised as News

Aug 7

Aug 7 The History of Ads Disguised as News

1890s, 1990s, 2010s, 1880s

Boston's First Police Cars Were Steam-Powered

Aug 6

Aug 6 Boston's First Police Cars Were Steam-Powered

The 1920s Tabloid Reporter Who Predicted TV Could Kill Newspapers

Aug 4

Aug 4 The 1920s Tabloid Reporter Who Predicted TV Could Kill Newspapers

1920s, 1930s, 1940s

What's the Generic Word For Skype? Videophone? Video Chat?

Jul 31

Jul 31 What's the Generic Word For Skype? Videophone? Video Chat?

1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

Food of the Future: Just Freeze-Dry It All!

Jul 30

Jul 30 Food of the Future: Just Freeze-Dry It All!

1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1950s

Idiocracy is a Cruel Movie About Eugenics

Jul 29

Jul 29 Idiocracy is a Cruel Movie About Eugenics

This American Expo Invaded Russia With Shiny New Tech in 1959

Jul 24

Jul 24 This American Expo Invaded Russia With Shiny New Tech in 1959

"The device he would use is called a Picturephone..."

Jul 24

Jul 24 "The device he would use is called a Picturephone..."

Space Station 76 Pokes Fun at 1970s Futurism

Jul 22

Jul 22 Space Station 76 Pokes Fun at 1970s Futurism

Northrop Once Built Planes That Were Just Giant Wings

Jul 21

Jul 21 Northrop Once Built Planes That Were Just Giant Wings

1940s, 1950s, 1960s

What's the Best Way to Regulate Futuristic Technology?

Jul 18

Jul 18 What's the Best Way to Regulate Futuristic Technology?

1950s, 1960s, 2010s

The Future of Commuting as Imagined in 1958

Jul 16

Jul 16 The Future of Commuting as Imagined in 1958

12 Viral Internet Photos That Are Totally Fake

Jul 15

Jul 15 12 Viral Internet Photos That Are Totally Fake

1970 Predicts: 25% of Commuters Will Use Flying Machines by 2000

Jul 14

Jul 14 1970 Predicts: 25% of Commuters Will Use Flying Machines by 2000

$Flying Cars Are Just Two Years From Reality ¯\_(ツ)_/¯$

Jul 11

Jul 11 Flying Cars Are Just Two Years From Reality ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In 1893, 2.5 Million Pounds of Horse Manure Filled New York City Streets Per Day

Jul 10

Jul 10 In 1893, 2.5 Million Pounds of Horse Manure Filled New York City Streets Per Day

Original Back to the Future 2 Hoverboard Up For Auction

Jul 9

Jul 9 Original Back to the Future 2 Hoverboard Up For Auction

Newspaper Publisher Predicted Robot Editors in 1968

Jul 8

Jul 8 Newspaper Publisher Predicted Robot Editors in 1968