The 1960s vision of today

-Written by Megan Sharp

Ah 2017. The year of Snapchat, selfie sticks and Stranger Things. I thinks it’s reasonable to assume that people in the sixties had more hope for the future, but I wonder if they would be satisfied with our advancements. I mean sure we don’t have flying cars and hover boards, but we’ve come a long way… I think? To see, let’s take a look at where they thought we’d be in 2017.

 Photo: (Mail Online, 2017)

‘The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.’- John Lennon

Possibilities yes, the 1960s envisioned and inspired the world in different ways. The illustration shown above was part of a filmstrip created by L. Smekhov and written by V. Strukova and V. Shevchenko, produced at the height of communism within the Soviet Union. The red flag of communism is central and flying high, surrounded by space shuttles venturing to outer space, alongside images of high speed trains. 

The filmstrip allows room for different interpretations, but certainly depicts an image of utopia, where the Soviets are seemingly playing God by interfering with the weather and saving lives. On the whole, although I’m yet to travel there, I can confidently say that the Soviet Union isn’t anything like the predictions made in the 60s, I wonder if they predicted the dissolution of the USSR in 1991?

If you’re interested in seeing the whole filmstrip, follow the link below!

https://www.spb.kp.ru/daily/26626/3645175/

Following the USSRs vision of today, let’s take a look at another great power, America! In this case, I have found a short-film titled ‘1999 A.D’, produced in 1967, depicting predictions for the average American home just 32 years later. Unlike their political views, it shares similarities to the cartoon produced in the Soviet Union regarding a futuristic feel for the future. 

Some scenes were seemingly inspired by films such as Star Trek, which came out just a year before, and it’s fascinating to see how Americans envisioned their future. Interestingly, they make some correct predictions, including email, online shopping and microwaves, thankfully! Unfortunately however, we are yet to see ‘Teaching Machines’ or closets which clean your clothes for you, but who knows what 2037 brings!

Fancy watching this short film for yourself? Follow the link below!

https://youtu.be/0RRxqg4G-G4

Photo; Smithsonian. (2017). Motopia: A Pedestrian Paradise. [Online]

Above shows a British image named ‘Motopia’, a British vision of the future which proposed a city with a population of 30,000 on just 1,000 acres! It suggested a town in which motorists and pedestrians were separated and living in harmony, if only! With moving sidewalks and high rising roads, the idea is extremely unrealistic and never made it past the plan. I mean it’s probably a good thing that none of this happened. I can only imagine it turning into a scene from Wall-E? 

So how did the 1960s vision of the future compare to the realistic advancements of modern day? 

Well, we have microwaves, sure. Space technology has improved, of course. However, we are still awaiting maintenance free homes and weather control. Evidently, many of these plans made in the 60s were pretty unrealistic, although it does indicate the thoughts of those in the 60s, prosperous, hopeful and optimistic! My only hope for the future is a Trump-free world, too unrealistic? See you in 2037!