Research reveals century-old scientist's predictions about our world
How did people in 1925 imagine the world in 2025?
We're always curious about the future. What will the world look like in 10, 50, or even 100 years? We've always wondered this, and our ancestors were no different. Back in 1925, one scientist made headlines with his bold predictions for life in 2025.
While some of his predictions were slightly off, surprisingly, many were eerily accurate. Curious to see how his vision of the future compares to our reality? Click on to find out!
Looking beyond
Humans have long been captivated by the allure of predicting the future. From meticulously analyzing weather patterns and disease outbreaks with sophisticated models, to consulting astrologers and interpreting tea leaves, we employ diverse approaches to peer into the future, trying to anticipate and prepare for the unknown.
Alternative methods
Meanwhile, other approaches, rooted in mysticism and spiritual beliefs, involve seeking guidance from oracles, interpreting dreams, or consulting horoscopes, offering alternative perspectives on unfolding future events.
Lost in translation
Some prophecies, however, offered ominous and even confusing predictions. The 2012 doomsday scenario, linked to the Mayan calendar, is a prime example. Years later, a claimed misinterpretation of the calendar shifted the predicted end of the world to 2023.
Conflict foreshadowing
Nostradamus' prophecies often depicted scenarios of war, disease, and environmental disasters, including apocalyptic visions. For 2025, his writings allude to conflict in Europe, with some interpreting this as foreshadowing the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
New discovery
Researchers at the online genealogy service Findmypast have recently unearthed the previously unknown predictions of a British scientist and inventor about life in 2025, offering a fascinating glimpse into his vision of the future a century ago.
Who was he?
Born in London in 1888, Archibald Montgomery Low was a multifaceted professional who excelled as an engineer, research physicist, inventor, and prolific author, penning over 40 books throughout his career.
Vision and sound
Recognized as the "father of radio guidance systems," Low pioneered their use in aircraft, torpedoes, and rockets. Notably, during World War II, the German military adapted his 1918 system for their own guided weapons.
Low's predictions
While some of his predictions, like everyone wearing synthetic felt jumpsuits and hats, were indeed "ruthlessly imaginative" as a contemporary journalist aptly described them, many others hit the mark. Click on to discover which ones!
Going granular
But he went further. Low envisioned a future where people would start their days by consuming news broadcasts and watching live events through "loudspeaker news" and "television glimpses," a remarkably accurate prediction of our modern morning routines.
Mobile phones
Fascinatingly, Low anticipated the concept of mobile phones, referring to them as "automatic telephones." He astutely observed that a key advantage of these devices would be the elimination of the frustrating manual dialing process prevalent in the 1920s.
Renewable energy
The rise of green energy sources like offshore wind and solar power validates Low's prediction that "wind and tide are also to be harnessed to the service of man." Moreover, his vision of machines handling "all the heavy and disagreeable work" is increasingly becoming a reality, as automation and robotics continue to shape our lives.
Lye in
However, Low’s prediction of standard wake-up times might have been a bit overly optimistic, as he expected the future norm to see alarm clocks being regularly set for "probably nine-thirty."
Cinematic experience
While aiming to envision the future of cinema, Low inadvertently foreshadowed the rise of immersive technologies. He predicted viewers would enjoy multiple movies playing simultaneously, a vision that resonates with today's virtual reality experiences and the use of VR headsets to explore diverse digital environments.
Clothing
Despite being considered radical in the 1920s, Low's prediction that women would embrace trousers as everyday attire has proven accurate.
