World Fair 1964 The 1964 World's Fair was held in a park in Queens, New York, just a few minutes away from Manhattan. At that time, I lived in Australia, was 22 years old and pregnant with my third child. I loved reading science fiction novels because the plots stimulated my imagination. I'd inherited my grandmother's collection which included some of the very earliest examples. I heard of the great World Fair and would have loved to see the great Ford Mustang and the first human character, Abraham Lincoln.
Isaac Asimov, one of the 20th century's best-known science fiction authors, published an essay predicting what our society in a future world would look like today in 1964. He wrote 468 books including I, Robot.
Although the official theme of the fair, which ran for two six-month sessions, was Peace Through Understanding, today its vision of an approaching era sticks in our minds.
Many of those predicted technologies on display never quite materialized like underwater housing and levitating cars.
Let's look at the projections for 2014, from the perspective of 1964.
Isaac Asimov, one of the 20th century's best-known science fiction authors, published an essay predicting what our society in a future world would look like today in 1964. He wrote 468 books including I, Robot.
Although the official theme of the fair, which ran for two six-month sessions, was Peace Through Understanding, today its vision of an approaching era sticks in our minds.
Many of those predicted technologies on display never quite materialized like underwater housing and levitating cars.
Let's look at the projections for 2014, from the perspective of 1964.
Abraham Lincoln - first human character "Communications will become sight-sound and you will see as well as hear the person you telephone."
"Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence." Mr Asimov takes credit for introducing the word robotics into the English language. Right now, projects are underway for robots to pass Japan's university exam, perform remote surgery, and even cook a gourmet meal.
"As for television, wall screens will have replaced the ordinary set; but transparent cubes will be making their appearance in which three-dimensional viewing will be possible."
"Kitchen units will be devised that will prepare 'automeals', heating water and converting it to coffee." Automated coffee machines do indeed exist.
"Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence." Mr Asimov takes credit for introducing the word robotics into the English language. Right now, projects are underway for robots to pass Japan's university exam, perform remote surgery, and even cook a gourmet meal.
"As for television, wall screens will have replaced the ordinary set; but transparent cubes will be making their appearance in which three-dimensional viewing will be possible."
"Kitchen units will be devised that will prepare 'automeals', heating water and converting it to coffee." Automated coffee machines do indeed exist.
disneyparks,disney,go.com "Not all the world's population will enjoy the gadgetry world of the future to the full. A larger portion than today will be deprived and although they may be better off, materially, than today, they will be further behind."
Mr Asimov predicted much more and many of his thoughts on the future come close to reality. See more at BBC News. (new window)
Which of these apply to me? I don't have sight-sound telephone or Skype, I've only seen pictures of robots, my television is a 23” set—not a wall, and we don't own a coffee machine. I'm just trying to think of other gadgets we own. My neighbor gave me a little vacuum cleaner to use in tight spots and we have a microwave, as well as electricity and gas cooking devices. That's all. I sweep the hard floors with a broom, just like my ancestors, and my husband washes them with a mop and water. Wheeled devices help me to walk. When I give the subject full consideration, Asimov's predictions don't really affect my life. People are still the same deep down.
How many of these predictions are reality for you?
Mr Asimov predicted much more and many of his thoughts on the future come close to reality. See more at BBC News. (new window)
Which of these apply to me? I don't have sight-sound telephone or Skype, I've only seen pictures of robots, my television is a 23” set—not a wall, and we don't own a coffee machine. I'm just trying to think of other gadgets we own. My neighbor gave me a little vacuum cleaner to use in tight spots and we have a microwave, as well as electricity and gas cooking devices. That's all. I sweep the hard floors with a broom, just like my ancestors, and my husband washes them with a mop and water. Wheeled devices help me to walk. When I give the subject full consideration, Asimov's predictions don't really affect my life. People are still the same deep down.
How many of these predictions are reality for you?
RSS Feed
