13 Crazy Predictions That Actually Came True
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Imagine if you were able to somehow visualize the invention of the smartphone or anticipate a major political event decades before it happened. That sounds like science fiction, doesn’t it? But history is littered with remarkable predictions that have ultimately come true.
No matter if it’s technological advancements, political events, or social changes, some people succeeded in taking a glimpse of the future with mellow accuracy. Here are some of the most remarkable predictions in history that actually came true.
Nikola Tesla and the Dawn of Wireless Communication
Before the rise of smartphones and wireless internet, the sophisticated thinker and inventor Nikola Tesla imagined a world in which communication would be effortless and wire-free. In 1909, Tesla predicted wireless communication devices, which would be what we now use and can’t live without today.
He envisioned a network that would connect people worldwide and described portable devices that would allow for worldwide communication. Tesla’s foresight initialed this wireless revolution we live with today, making this man a true modern-day visionary.
Ray Bradbury’s Earbuds in “Fahrenheit 451”
In his groundbreaking 1953 novel “Fahrenheit 451,” Ray Bradbury anticipated the invention of earbuds. He referred to them as “little seashells” and “thimble radios” that delivered an “electronic ocean of sound” directly into the wearer’s ears.
Though Bradbury’s society may have been dystopian, he nailed the future with regard to personal audio devices. However, earbuds have become a necessity in today’s life, allowing us to enjoy music, podcasts, and audiobooks while we’re on the go.
Arthur C. Clarke’s Vision of the iPad
Arthur C. Clarke’s 1968 novel “2001: “Space Odyssey” literally introduced the readers to a device that looked eerily similar to the modern iPad. Clarke detailed a “news pad” that displayed digital content on a screen, allowing users to access news and information on demand.
Decades before the release of Apple’s iconic tablet, Clarke’s vision captured the essence of portable digital media consumption. This prediction illustrates the magic of science fiction to initiate technological progress, as well as affecting our digital future.
John Brunner’s Eerily Accurate Political Prediction
In his 1968 novel “Stand on Zanzibar,” author John Brunner made a chillingly accurate prediction by including President “Obomi” in a storyline set in 2010.
The fictional character bore a striking resemblance to President Obama, whose presidency began in 2009, the year before. If speculative fiction contains any foresight at all, Brunner was able to foresee such a significant political event.
The Simpsons and Donald Trump’s Presidency
“The Simpsons” has long been known for its playful satire and uncanny predictions, but none are as astonishing as its foreshadowing of Donald Trump’s presidency. In a 2000 episode, Lisa Simpson becomes president and mentions inheriting a budget crisis from her predecessor, “President Trump.”
Meant as a joke, this forecast was even more correct than was possible as Trump took office in 2017. Of course, the show’s writers are still managing to astound audiences with their prescient noting of real-life events.
Robert Boyle’s Vision of Organ Transplants
In addition to being a pioneer of chemistry, the renowned Robert Boyle was also a pioneer of medical advances. In the 1660s, Boyle predicted organ transplants, writing about the possibility of curing diseases through “transplantation.”
Almost three centuries later his foresight was realized in the first major organ transplant that took place in 1954. Boyle’s prediction perfectly illustrates the time tested hunt for scientific innovation to fuel medical progress.
Ezra Stiles and America’s Population Boom
A prominent figure of the 18th century and president of Yale University, Ezra Stiles possessed a wonderful insight into demographic trends. He was able to predict in the 1783 that America’s population would be more than 300 million inhabitants in about 200 years.
Remarkably, this prediction came true in the early 21st century, highlighting Stiles’ deep understanding of population growth patterns and his ability to foresee America’s future prosperity.
Mark Twain’s Prophetic Death Prediction
The legendary American author Mark Twain, so well known for his wit and humor, predicted his own death. Twain was born during the appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1835 and famously announced that he intended to leave the world when the Comet returned.
True to his word, Twain died on April 21, 1910, the day Halley’s Comet returned to our skies. Twain’s place as a literary icon — with a keen sense of destiny — has been confirmed by this uncanny coincidence of dates.
Morgan Robertson’s Titanic Foreshadowing
Morgan Robertson’s 1898 novella “Futility, Or The Wreck of the Titan” stands as one of the most chilling literary predictions in history. The story of a massive ship named the Titan that sank is eerily similar to the sinking of the Titanic, which happened 14 years later.
Robertson’s detailed account of the ship’s size, speed, and lack of lifeboats mirrors the real-life disaster, leaving readers to wonder about the fine line between coincidence and foresight.
Jules Verne’s Lunar Vision
Jules Verne, often called the father of science fiction, made astonishingly accurate predictions about space exploration. In his novel “From Earth to the Moon,” Verne envisioned a lunar mission with striking similarities to the actual moon landing that occurred over a century later.
He even knew the Florida site where NASA’s Kennedy Space Center would eventually be established. Verne’s work shows the kind of contours and scope of the future that imagination can make.
Edward Bellamy’s Credit Card Forecast
In his 1888 novel “Looking Backward, 2000-1887,” Edward Bellamy foresaw the advent of credit cards, describing a financial system remarkably similar to modern electronic transactions.
Bellamy’s point about economic evolution and his understanding that technology would change commerce was obvious, as was his vision of credit cards serving as a means to access goods and services. By way of prediction, it points to the lasting effect of speculative fiction on technological change.
Nostradamus and the Great Fire of London
One of Michel de Nostredame better known as Nostradamus, best-known prophecies was his prophecy of the Great Fire of London in 1666. Nostradamus wrote in his 1555 writings that a terrible fire would destroy the city.
Maybe to some he’s vague, but the amazing correlation between his prophecy and the actual event down through history has fascinated those intrigued with the mysterious nature of prophecy.
Bill Gates and the Internet Revolution
In 1999, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates published a book titled “Business @ the Speed of Thought,” in which he made several prescient predictions about the future of the internet.
Gates was right in predicting the birth of social media platforms, targeted advertising, and online job searching—features that are essential to the way we live today online. Gates demonstrates his skills as a forward-thinking visionary through his insights into the changing technological landscape.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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