Exactly 100 years ago, creative minds of the time, including scientists and physicists, came together to paint a picture of life in 2023. While some predictions were humorously far-fetched, others turned out to be eerily accurate.
Electric Energy Will Free Humanity from Labor
Charles P. Steinmetz. (Photo: Wikipedia).
American scientist Charles P. Steinmetz once predicted that electric energy would create a revolution, where humanity would be almost completely liberated from labor by 2023.
In other words, he envisioned a future where people would no longer be busy, and electricity would alleviate “tedious jobs.”
“With the current pace of world development, there will come a time when people will work no more than 4 hours a day,” Steinmetz stated in 1923. “With the remaining time, we can dedicate ourselves to personal hobbies.”
Additionally, Steinmetz shared a vision of breakthroughs in science that would help eliminate waste from the streets and reduce smoke in the sky.
These predictions have clearly proven to be “completely wrong,” as modern humans still work an average of 8 to 10 hours a day. Waste pollution remains one of the global issues that has persisted for decades.
Carrying a Smartphone Everywhere
Archibald M. Low. (Photo: Wikipedia).
In 1923, when people were still using classic rotary dial telephones, British physicist, engineer, and inventor Archibald M. Low accurately predicted the future of this type of device.
Specifically, he believed that people would move toward using a communication device to simplify their tasks.
“In the next 100 years, we will be able to comfortably talk on the phone while in a car, at home, or on a train,” Low stated.
Furthermore, Low envisioned a phone that could take notes or read a book from kilometers away.
Isn’t this a vision of a smartphone?
Population Explosion
Professor William F. Ogburn. (Photo: Getty Images).
Sociologist William F. Ogburn warned in 1923 that New York’s population would reach 100 million by 2023 if early 20th-century trends continued.
At that time, the city had about 5.5 million residents. Today, New York has approximately 18.8 million people.
However, Ogburn was correct in assessing the global population growth, as we continuously break milestones.
Moreover, he predicted that living conditions would worsen, and troubles would multiply alongside the population increase.
Reaching for the Stars to Solve Global Issues
Apollo 11 mission landing on the Moon in 1969. (Photo: NASA).
Even before humans could step on the moon, Herbert Kaufman, a commentator, foresaw a future where humanity must look to the stars to solve global challenges.
He stated: “Long before anthracite coal runs out, humanity needs to find a superior substitute somewhere in the atmosphere.“
He also noted that: “transportation and communication are moving upwards,” as well as “we will harness energy from solar power plants and from planets.”
Increased Human Longevity
Predicted average human lifespan could exceed 100 years. (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In 1923, Dr. Eugene Lyman Fisk, an expert on longevity, predicted that 100 years later, the average human lifespan could exceed 100 years, even reaching 150 or 200 years.
He also noted that due to advances in medical science and hygiene, the average lifespan had increased by 18 years from two decades prior.
“Science can further increase longevity in the next century, as well as elevate life to a higher plane,” he stated. “Youth may extend to age 30, and humans’ working capacity could be maintained until they are 70 or 80. Our appearance could also change to some extent.”
