Have you read “Where’s my flying car?” part 1? If not you should.
I was 10 in 1971 – decimalisation came in that year – and this was on the television:
1971: Tomorrow’s World: Cassette Navigation – YouTube
(You should really take four minutes and thirty-four seconds to watch this video – speed it up if you are short of time).
I remember Tomorrow’s World. James Burke was my favourite presenter, probably because he did the broadcasts for the Apollo missions, and that stuck in my mind. The show was a product of the optimistic 1960s and the decade’s enthusiasm for technology. The programme was full of futuristic gadgets, some of which we got, mobile phones – although the Home Office did not think wireless space would be available for them – the internet (Prestel), touch screens, self-parking cars, microwaves. Windows…
(YouTube – https://youtu.be/BRN5QyhPIXc?t=89)
They had a go at the office of the future – Tomorrow’s World – Office of the Future 16 April 1969 – BBC – YouTube – but James’ attitudes are firmly grounded in 1969.
It all looked futuristic then.
But predictably for a programme that included predictions they often got it wrong – electronic anti-perspirant, musical shoes and toothbrushes (although they exist), zipper neck ties, the perfect baked bean, floating bikes, paper dresses, squash ball warmer – and there I think I will leave it.
Today’s technology advice – when driving and using a sat-nav remember to look out of the front window and not drive off the quayside – just watch the video, Tomorrow’s World got it right.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Clive
One more thing – I did not list the flying car as a Tomorrow’s World miss – I had the idea for my article “Where is my flying car?” a couple of days before it was published – and this video went up on YouTube on 9th December 2020 – The World’s First Commercially Available Flying Car Is Here And It’s Legal – YouTube.
A wish come true – for those of you that are good at maths, you can work out I have a significant birthday next year, so do you think they can gift wrap that car?
