Futures Past
Humorously imagines the results that predictions of the future
would have on the modern world had they actually come true.
For my Illustration thesis at OCADU I looked at reputable cultural sources of the past, such as known authors and publications, that in one or more occasions attempted to predict the future of technology and its impact on society. "Futures Past" explores the aleternative realities that could have been, but thankfully never were.
Pet Genius
This piece interprets the following quote said by renown science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke, in 1975, "We might be able to increase the intelligence of our domestic animals". Had Clarke predicted correctly, what would have been the impact on our domestic animals, such as out beloved pets? If our dogs could compose beautiful symphonies and potentially even outsmart us, perhaps they would no longer be our best friends.
Worthless Gold
This piece interprets the following quote said by Thomas Edison back in 1911, "Gold has even now but a few years to live. The day is near when bars of it will be as common and as cheap as bars of iron or blocks of steel." Had Edison's prediction rung true, what would have been the impact on our usage of gold? If we can toss cans of aluminum and metallic appliances without a second thought, surely our gaudy gold jewelry would find a better purpose as nest filling.
Say "Green"
This piece interprets the following quote taken from a 1940 article in Popular Mechanics Magazine, "Ordinary grass gives promise of providing low-income families diets more abundant in vitamins than are now enjoyed by the wealthy. Housewives soon may add nourishing powdered grass to recipes."
Ten Gallon Hat
This piece interprets the following quote taken from a 1929 article in Popular Mechanics Magazine, "Soon slacks, dresses and other apparel will be woven of fibers derived from the casein in America's skim milk surplus." While this prediction did in fact come true during WWII, and we can find casein fibers mixed with polyesters and acrylics today, this image plays with the literal outcome of milk-made clothing.
Nuclear Vacuum
This piece interprets the following quote by Alex Lewyt, president of the Lewyt vacuum company, in 1955, "Nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality within ten years."
Beard Vogue
This piece interprets a quote by fashion designer Gilbert Rhode in the 1939 edition of Vogue Magazine, "Man of the next century will revolt against shaving and wear a beautiful beard."
Bad Hat Day
This piece interprets a quote by A. M. Low from 1927,“He will wear his hat almost continuously, because everyone will be bald.”
#cyclopsproblems
This piece interprets a quote by Dr. Thomas Shastid in a 1933 article about the "Face of the Future", “Yes, in distant centuries or millenaries man will be a Cyclops, a Polyphemus, a being with one eye only.” If our eyes fused together, what kind of trouble would we run into?
It's a Living
This piece interprets the headline of the 1926 edition of The Spokesman Review, “Man’s steadily increasing need for more space will eventually force untamed beasts to pay their way in the scheme of things or join the species already extinct.”
SMART TV
This piece interprets the 1995 quote by Futurestuff, “The television of the future will be able to walk freely from room to room without human help, boogie to MTV, and add drama to action-packed chase scenes by leaning into the curves.”
