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Video Calling – “In the Year 2889” by Jules Verne (1889)
It might shock you to realize that video calling, something most of us now take for granted, was first imagined in the late 1800s. Jules Verne, known for his wild imagination, actually described a “phonotelephote” in his story—a device that let people see each other while talking. This was long before anyone could have dreamed up Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime. Today, video calls are everywhere, from business meetings to catching up with family, especially during times when people can’t meet face-to-face. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of video conferencing skyrocketed, with platforms like Zoom reporting millions of daily participants. Statista estimates the video conferencing market could reach $50 billion by 2026. Verne’s vision proves that sometimes, the wildest dreams can become basic parts of our reality.
Earbuds – “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury (1953)
Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” is famous for its warnings about censorship, but it also contains a surprising prediction: wireless earbuds. Bradbury wrote about “little seashells” that fit snugly in the ears and played music or news directly to the listener. Fast-forward to today, and wireless earbuds like AirPods and Galaxy Buds have become a global phenomenon, with people using them everywhere—from the gym to the office. The worldwide market for wireless earbuds is now worth over $30 billion, according to recent industry reports, and it’s expected to keep growing rapidly. Bradbury’s “seashells” captured the desire for personal, portable sound decades before the technology appeared in stores.
Tablets – “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Arthur C. Clarke (1968)
Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” isn’t just a movie classic—it’s also a book that predicted the tablet computer. Clarke described “newspads,” portable devices with screens for reading news and watching broadcasts, which sound almost exactly like today’s iPads or Android tablets. In the present day, over 200 million tablets are sold around the world each year, and people use them for everything from streaming movies to doing schoolwork. The explosive popularity of tablets has transformed how we access information, blurring the line between print and digital. Clarke’s vision of interactive, portable screens has changed the way we read, learn, and play.
Self-Driving Cars – “The Living Machine” by David H. Keller (1935)
Autonomous vehicles may seem like cutting-edge technology, but the idea actually dates back to the 1930s. In “The Living Machine,” David H. Keller wrote about cars that could drive themselves, navigating busy streets with no need for a human driver. Today, companies like Tesla, Waymo, and others are testing and rolling out self-driving cars on public roads. The global autonomous vehicle market is expected to reach $556 billion by 2026, driven by advances in artificial intelligence and sensor technology. These cars promise to change the way we travel, reduce accidents, and even give mobility to people who can’t drive themselves. Keller’s bold ideas have helped pave the road for the future of transportation.
Credit Cards – “Looking Backward: 2000–1887” by Edward Bellamy (1888)
Astonishingly, the concept of the credit card dates all the way back to the 19th century. Edward Bellamy’s “Looking Backward” imagined a society where citizens used cards to access a shared pool of wealth rather than carrying cash. This idea laid the groundwork for today’s credit and debit cards, which are now a daily part of life for billions of people. In the United States alone, over 1.5 billion credit cards are in use, according to the Federal Reserve. The convenience and security of plastic money have fundamentally changed how we shop, pay bills, and manage our finances. Bellamy’s vision of a cashless society feels more real with each tap and swipe.
The Internet – “A Logic Named Joe” by Murray Leinster (1946)
Decades before the World Wide Web was born, Murray Leinster wrote a story about “logics”—devices connected to a vast network that provided recipes, weather, and even advice. This early description of a global information network is eerily close to our modern internet. As of 2023, more than 5 billion people are online, using the web to work, learn, and connect. The internet has revolutionized nearly every aspect of daily life, making information instantly accessible and bringing the world closer together. Leinster’s imaginative leap shows how science fiction can sometimes outpace even the wildest dreams of scientists and engineers.
Smart Homes – “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury (1950)
In “There Will Come Soft Rains,” Ray Bradbury painted a picture of a house that could cook breakfast, clean itself, and even respond to its inhabitants’ daily routines—all automatically. This vision has come to life with today’s smart home technology, where devices like Alexa, Google Home, and smart appliances do everything from adjusting the thermostat to turning off the lights. The smart home market is booming and is projected to reach $174 billion by 2025. Bradbury’s story didn’t just imagine convenience; it foresaw a home that could care for its residents, adding a new dimension to the meaning of comfort and security.
Robots – “R.U.R.” (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karel Čapek (1920)
The very word “robot” comes from Karel Čapek’s play “R.U.R.,” which explored the idea of artificial workers designed to serve humans. These early robots were imagined as helpers and laborers, but also raised questions about what could go wrong if machines gained too much power. Today, robots are everywhere—from factories assembling cars to hospitals performing surgery. The global robotics industry is expected to reach $210 billion, a sign of how deeply these machines have woven themselves into the fabric of our world. Čapek’s work didn’t just give us a new word; it gave us a glimpse into a future where humans and machines must learn to coexist.
3D Printers – “The Space Merchants” by Frederik Pohl & C.M. Kornbluth (1952)
Imagine being able to “print” your dinner or a spare part for your car. In “The Space Merchants,” characters did just that, using machines to create food and tools on demand. Modern 3D printers now make this possible, creating everything from toys to medical implants layer by layer. The 3D printing industry was valued at $34 billion in 2022 and could hit $50 billion by 2026. This technology is already transforming manufacturing, making it faster and cheaper to produce custom items. Pohl and Kornbluth’s vision of instant, on-demand creation has become a crucial part of innovation across countless industries.
Drones – “Player Piano” by Kurt Vonnegut (1952)
Kurt Vonnegut’s “Player Piano” featured flying machines used for deliveries and surveillance, a concept that now feels almost ordinary. Today, drones deliver packages, monitor crops, and even assist in disaster relief. The drone market is set to reach $43 billion by 2024, driven by rapid advancements in battery life, cameras, and navigation. Drones aren’t just for fun—they’re serious tools for business, agriculture, and emergency services. Vonnegut’s prediction captured the excitement and unease that still surrounds these flying robots.
Tasers – “Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle” by Victor Appleton (1911)
Victor Appleton’s early 20th-century novel featured a futuristic “electric rifle” that could stop targets with a jolt—an idea that inspired the real-world TASER. The name itself comes from the book’s title. Law enforcement around the world now use TASERs for non-lethal self-defense, with the market for stun guns and similar devices growing fast. These tools have become a vital part of police equipment, offering a safer alternative to firearms in dangerous situations. Appleton’s electric weapon showed how fiction can spark inventions that save lives.
Space Travel – “From the Earth to the Moon” by Jules Verne (1865)
Jules Verne was a master of predicting the future, and his 1865 novel described a moon launch that mirrored the real thing over a century later. He not only imagined rockets but also chose a launch site near where NASA’s Kennedy Space Center would be built. Today, the global space economy is worth over $400 billion, driven by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Verne’s vision inspired countless scientists and engineers to reach for the stars, helping turn science fiction into a booming business and a source of national pride.
Voice Assistants – “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams (1979)
Douglas Adams brought laughter and cleverness to the idea of a voice assistant in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” The Guide could answer questions, provide snarky advice, and help travelers stay informed—just like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. Today, voice assistants are everywhere, with a projected market value of $27 billion by 2026. Millions of people use these AI-powered helpers to set reminders, play music, or even control their smart homes. Adams’ funny, insightful take on technology predicted a future where talking to machines is just part of everyday life.
Biometric Security – “The Demolished Man” by Alfred Bester (1953)
Biometric security, like scanning your fingerprint or face to unlock your phone, might seem like a recent breakthrough. But Alfred Bester described such systems in “The Demolished Man” all the way back in 1953. Today, biometric authentication is built into smartphones, laptops, and security systems around the world. The global biometrics market is expected to reach $62 billion by 2027, as more industries adopt these technologies for secure identification. Bester’s vision of using personal features for security has become a new standard in protecting our identities.
Augmented Reality – “Rainbows End” by Vernor Vinge (2006)
Vernor Vinge’s “Rainbows End” imagined wearable technology that could project data right onto the world around you, a precursor to modern augmented reality (AR) glasses and apps. Today, AR is being used for everything from gaming (think Pokémon Go) to education and healthcare. The AR industry could be worth $198 billion by 2025, with new applications being developed every year. Vinge’s vision of blending digital and physical realities has opened up new ways to learn, play, and interact with our environment.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
