Throwback Tech: Portraits of what the future was thought to look like 100 years ago

 The French magazine, Le Petit Journal, enjoyed illustrating the future by taking technologies that were up-and-coming in 1920s and giving them a modern futuristic twist . Each photo took creative liberty in imagining how these innovations would transition into tomorrow’s technology. These well-crafted photos are on display at the Bibliothèque National de Français. 

1. Trains in the sky

This cover showed what locomotion of the future would look like. A suspended train was featured with a fan.

2. Artificial lighting, classified as a potentially great invention for people who want to experience illumination in the sky even at night.

3. Circuit de Touraine showed a device that applied the air’s resistance to reduce pressure. This modification would be help the car’s exterior. These modifications would be used in the gRand pRix de l’aUtomobile Club.

4. Underwater Tanks were said to submerge underwater and be operated to navigate aroun the sea’s depths. These tanks were also able to roll on any terrain.

5. Under the Sea depicted a robot that could be occupied by humans while walking around the ocean’s floor. This robotic apparatus would enable users to pick up anything from the bottom of the sea or cut down anything in its path.

6. A mechanic airman that could repair the plane while in-flight

Having a mechanic ready to work on-board aircrafts that could withstand the air pressure and altitudes would be remarkable!

7. Factories where workers performed tasks underwater

This ability to generate things underground would open up air space in cities. But the water pollution caused by underground factories would be atrocious.

8. Cars and trains racing as a sport

Engineers would harness power to create cars and trains worthy of racing one another. This sport was thought to gain popularity.

9. Dinosaurs reappearing on earth, think à la Loch Ness Monster.

10. World record for parachuting

An American pilot was thought to perform this feat in the future. The person parachuting would jump from a plane 7,380 meters in the air, taking 30 minutes to touch the ground.

Story via Le Petit Journal Illustré