These images, which were drawn by Jean-Marc Côté and other French artists, originally appeared on paper cards enclosed in cigarette and cigar boxes and, later, as postcards. They were first produced in 1899 for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris, with additional cards being released in 1900, 1901 and 1910.
Unfortunately for modern students, the prediction of a school where learning is simply wired into one's brain never came to be. Fortunately, this means they've avoided having to wear headpieces that look like Princess Leia wigs.
2. The New-Fangled Barber.
The French anticipated we'd have a lot of trust in our modern machines, even when it comes to using sharp objects awfully close to the jugular.
There are a lot of known scenes, but here are some of the more striking. In addition to a range of tedious activities going automatic, the biggest theme seems to be an anticipation that we will tire of earthly pursuits and take to the sea and sky.
1. At School.
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| At School |
Unfortunately for modern students, the prediction of a school where learning is simply wired into one's brain never came to be. Fortunately, this means they've avoided having to wear headpieces that look like Princess Leia wigs.
2. The New-Fangled Barber.
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| The New-Fangled Barber |
The French anticipated we'd have a lot of trust in our modern machines, even when it comes to using sharp objects awfully close to the jugular.
3. Aero-Cab Station.
Although the cars would become airborne, the fashions, apparently, would stay pretty much stuck in the late 19th century.
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| Aero-Cab Station |
Although the cars would become airborne, the fashions, apparently, would stay pretty much stuck in the late 19th century.
4. Aerial Firemen.
I think it was Icarus who had something to say on the matter of flying close to an open flame.
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| Aerial Firemen |
I think it was Icarus who had something to say on the matter of flying close to an open flame.
5. In Pursuit of a Smuggler.
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| In Pursuit of a Smuggler |
6. An Aerial Battle.
They were right in thinking warfare would also go skyward; however, a battleship based on a balloon would be a major liability these days.
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| An Aerial Battle |
They were right in thinking warfare would also go skyward; however, a battleship based on a balloon would be a major liability these days.
7. A Torpedo Plane.
They were only slightly ahead of their time in anticipating that aerial attacks would allow for bombardment.
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| A Torpedo Plane |
They were only slightly ahead of their time in anticipating that aerial attacks would allow for bombardment.
8. Hunting by Air.
We really haven't made as much progress on the individual-flying-apparatus front as was anticipated.
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| Hunting by Air |
We really haven't made as much progress on the individual-flying-apparatus front as was anticipated.
9. The Little Eagle-Nest Robbers.
10. Correspondence Cinema.
The actual mechanisms look a little more modern, but this one is pretty spot-on as far as the sentiment of audio-visual communication.
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| The Little Eagle-Nest Robbers |
10. Correspondence Cinema.
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| Correspondence Cinema |
The actual mechanisms look a little more modern, but this one is pretty spot-on as far as the sentiment of audio-visual communication.
11. Air Ship.
We ended up going a different route when it came to air travel, but boats suspended with giant balloons are certainly charming.
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| Air Ship |
We ended up going a different route when it came to air travel, but boats suspended with giant balloons are certainly charming.
12. Madame at Her Toilette.
Mornings are rough. I could see a market for this.
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| Madame at Her Toilette |
Mornings are rough. I could see a market for this.
13. A Very Busy Farmer.
The interesting thing to note here is that the mechanical devices are all electric, and thus attached to the power lines.
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| A Very Busy Farmer |
The interesting thing to note here is that the mechanical devices are all electric, and thus attached to the power lines.
14. Electric Scrubbing.
But still dressing like a classic French maid.
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| Electric Scrubbing |
But still dressing like a classic French maid.
15. Auto Rollers.
Which, judging by the poor fellow in the blue sweater, are trickier than they look.
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| Auto Rollers |
Which, judging by the poor fellow in the blue sweater, are trickier than they look.
16. A Whale-Bus.
The postcards anticipated we’d spend a lot more time submerged in the ocean than we actually do these days. And that we'd have domesticated whales.
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| A Whale-Bus |
The postcards anticipated we’d spend a lot more time submerged in the ocean than we actually do these days. And that we'd have domesticated whales.
17. A Race in the Pacific.
But where would you be going in your whale-bus? To watch the underwater eel (right?) races, of course!
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| A Race in the Pacific |
But where would you be going in your whale-bus? To watch the underwater eel (right?) races, of course!
18. A Croquet Party.
Or perhaps to play a game of underwater croquet, which of course would remain empirically popular a century later.
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| A Croquet Party |
Or perhaps to play a game of underwater croquet, which of course would remain empirically popular a century later.
19. Divers on Horseback.
Giant seahorseback, that is! Vintage swords will be making a comeback any day now, I’m sure.
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| Divers on Horseback |
Giant seahorseback, that is! Vintage swords will be making a comeback any day now, I’m sure.
20. Fishing For Seagulls.
In this imagined future, we spend so much time underwater even fishing gets reversed.
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| Fishing For Seagulls |
In this imagined future, we spend so much time underwater even fishing gets reversed.
21. A Monster of the Abyss.
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| A Monster of the Abyss |
But it’s not all fun and games in the year 2000—apparently there will be a rise in sea monster attacks.
(All photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, via Mental Floss)
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