Source 23.2: Imagining the Future of Technology

Early twentieth-century predictions about the future, at least in the West, focused heavily on technology. A fascinating example of this preoccupation comes from a series of postcards created in 1910 by the French artist Villemard, depicting his vision of life in Paris in the year 2000. Four of the many available images are shown here.

Questions to consider as you examine the sources:

Source 23.2A

Air Battles and Air Freight in the Future

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Air Battles and Air FreightFrench color lithograph ca. 1910/Private Collection/Archives Charmet/Bridgeman Images

Source 23.2B

The Horse as a Curiosity

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The Horse as a CuriosityLate-19th-century French chromolithographic educational card/Private Collection/© Look and Learn/Bridgeman Images

Source 23.2C

The School of the Future

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The School of the FutureFrench chromolithographic educational card, ca. 1910/Private Collection/©Look and Learn/Bridgeman Images

Source 23.2D

A Video-Telephone in the Year 2000

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A Video-Telephone in the Year 2000Late-19th-century European chromolithographic educational card/Private Collection/© Look and Learn/Bridgeman Images