“Lost Futures: A 19th-Century Vision of the Year 2000” from Public Domain Review showcases a collection of imaginative illustrations by Jean-Marc Côté and other artists, originally commissioned for the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris.
These whimsical cards depict futuristic visions of the year 2000, blending prescient technologies like automation, electronic music, and video calls, with whimsical depictions of future life lived underwater. (I would love to understand the thought process that led to underwater croquet and the frogs' ball!) The collection offers a unique glimpse into the hopes and dreams of a bygone era, reflecting some accuracy and a lot of creativity in 19th-century futurism.
A personal favorite: Personal planes (perhaps the predecessor to flying cars?) - including the wine fly-through. Maybe it's a DoorDash pick up?
If you'd like to talk about the future with your team (in a decidedly a less whimsical way) - drop us a line.
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