5 Science Fiction Predictions That Astonishingly Became Reality
SCIENCE FICTION – In this article, you will know the five (5) remarkable science fiction predictions that became reality.
Science fiction is designed to be imaginative, and while it’s reassuring that evil robots and space stations capable of destroying planets are mere products of fiction, the absence of real-life jetpacks, flying cars, and teleportation can be a bit disappointing.
Despite the anticipation for these groundbreaking advancements (acknowledging that their realization might take some time, even if Tesla managed to launch a car into space), it’s intriguing to explore five sci-fi predictions that have actually materialized.
The Internet
The first instance is the Internet, a concept not typically associated with Mark Twain’s work, but surprisingly evident in his 1898 story “From the ‘London Times’ in 1904.” Twain envisioned the telelectroscope, which, remarkably, resembles an early conception of the internet. In his narrative, the device would be linked to phone lines (an accurate prediction). Twain foresaw a future where the “improved ‘limitless-distance’ telephone” would make the “daily doings of the globe” visible and discussable by people worldwide. In the story, the protagonist, an army officer facing execution, spends his time on the internet, connecting with different corners of the world, studying its peculiarities, and interacting with its inhabitants. The narrative mirrors the contemporary experience of many individuals who, through the marvel of the internet, feel a sense of freedom akin to birds in the air, even if confined physically.
The Moon Landing
In 1865, Jules Verne penned “From the Earth to the Moon: A Direct Route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes.” A hundred years later, Neil Armstrong marked a monumental moment for humanity with his historic leap. Verne wasn’t the pioneer in envisioning lunar exploration, but the meticulousness with which he crafted his lunar narrative sets “From the Earth to the Moon” and its sequel, “Around the Moon,” apart in the realm of sci-fi history.
While not every detail aligned with reality, as Apollo 11 reached the moon in only 75 hours and Verne’s Columbiad space gun, akin to a massive cannon, didn’t propel the American spacecraft (though Apollo 11’s command module bore the name Columbia as a tribute), the novel accurately anticipated a team of spacefarers undertaking the initial lunar journey.
Before John F. Kennedy’s proclamation about reaching the moon, artists continued Verne’s legacy. His work, along with H.G. Wells’ “The First Men in the Moon” from 1901, significantly influenced Georges Melies’ 1902 film “A Trip to the Moon,” recognized as the first legitimate science-fiction film and a pivotal creation in the genre.
Verne’s vision left an indelible mark, with Neil Armstrong himself alluding to it during Apollo 11’s return journey. Armstrong remarked, “A hundred years ago, Jules Verne wrote a book about a voyage to the moon. His spaceship, Columbia, took off from Florida and landed in the Pacific Ocean after completing a trip to the moon.” He found it fitting to share the crew’s reflections as the modern-day Columbia concluded its rendezvous with Earth and the Pacific Ocean.
Tablet Computers
The monolith and star child from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey may not have materialized, but a significant aspect of the film did influence reality—the concept of tablet computers. Presently, iPads are the predominant embodiment of this idea. In a scene from the mind-bending 1968 classic, the main astronauts (portrayed by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood) are depicted multitasking, eating meals while watching TV shows on their individual flatscreen computers. Although the movie didn’t explicitly name these devices, they were referred to as newspads.
Arthur C. Clarke, the co-author of 2001, provided a description of these newspads: “The postage-stamp-size rectangle would expand until it neatly filled the screen, and [the astronaut] could read it with comfort. When he had finished, he would flash back to the complete page and select a new subject for detailed examination.” This description bears a striking resemblance to the functionality of contemporary tablet computers. Kubrick even envisioned several New York Times headlines for the newspad, such as “Language Barrier Now Nil for 75% of Earth’s Peoples” and “Move Gains Momentum in Western States for Return to 4-Party System.”
Cellphones
To witness Star Trek’s visionary foresight, one only needs to examine its inaugural episode. The communicator, introduced in the show’s pilot episode, “The Cage,” back in 1964, has since become a pivotal element of the enduring franchise. This futuristic and visually impressive device can be considered an early precursor to the cellphone. It facilitates communication between the starship Enterprise and the alien planets that Captain Kirk and his crew explore. Notably, the communicator lacks modern features like apps, underscoring that Star Trek did not anticipate the extensive time we would eventually spend on phones beyond mere communication.
It’s worth noting that the concept of a mobile phone was not exclusive to Star Trek’s creator, Gene Roddenberry. Prior to him, inventor Eric Tigerstedt, often referred to as the “Thomas Edison of Finland,” successfully patented a “pocket-size folding telephone with a very thin carbon microphone” in 1917. However, the technology needed to bring his vision to life did not materialize until much later in the century.
Holograms
Before Tupac’s holographic performance at Coachella in 2012, Princess Leia had already conveyed the urgency of hope to Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars saga. Holograms, much like mobile phones, were conceived by various individuals prior to their actual existence (if we can consider holograms as real). However, Star Wars played a significant role in introducing holograms to the popular imagination.
This dates back to the original 1977 film, where Carrie Fisher’s Leia made her debut onscreen as a holographic recording transmitted by R2-D2. Euclideon Holographics, an Australian company, has endeavored to modernize this particular form of table-projected hologram for the 21st century. Nonetheless, the innovation comes with a substantial price tag, with reports suggesting that one of their devices can reach up to $100,000 in cost.
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