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Crystal Ball WayBack: The Future
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The Future WayBack

Forecast from the Past -- Ideas about today from the 1950sYou're the Oracle -- What's your vision? Share it online!Prediction Proclamation -- Step right up, print and save your predictions
Read predictions people made in the 1950s about life in the future.

Atomic-powered cars will travel 5,000,000 miles on one tank of fuel.

There will be no more wars because we will be able to produce so much that everyone will have what they need.

A radar device on the front of cars will automatically apply the brakes.

The cans that food comes in will be edible too.

People will live to be 115 years old.

We will watch television on a flat screen that hangs on the wall.

Stoves will have controls that prevent food from burning.

With a flip of a switch your car will automatically follow a route on an electronic highway.

Doctors will perform operations with the help of other doctors from all over the world by watching them on TV.

Unmanned satellites will allow forecasters to control the weather.

A Personal Fatigue Meter will sound when it is time for you to go on vacation.

Clothes will be made from chemical fibers. They will not tear or get dirty.

Every garage will have a helicopter in it.

Robots will pick up your clothes, make your bed, vacuum your floors, do your laundry, and cook your food.


So... how good were their predictions?


Learn about PBS' award-winning history series, American Experience