Today we start a new series on Medialist Innovation called “A Look Back…”, in these posts we take a look at visions of the future that didn’t quite come to pass as their creators imagined – and in an age of the home office and the “stay home” movement, what better way to look back than with a look at the home of the future. This one, however, comes from 1967.
When we look at some of the predictions of the thought leaders of our time, you have to nod your head in approval. The futurists at work here really looked deep into the crystal ball and made good predictions around the home of tomorrow. Other visions, such as robot maids, teleportation and flying cars were more for the world of science fiction novels.
A CBS television special went one step further and not only told about the “Future Homes”, they even dedicated the entire program to them. In 2001, the special’s authors were sure, our homes would look very different from those of the late 1960s.
For the tour of the House of the Future, they enlisted none other than journalism legend Walter Cronkite, arguably the most trusted journalist in the U.S., who welcomes us into a boxy house and shows us what the future will look like.
Everything from a glass tube in front of the entrance that removes lint and dirt before you enter (which would definitely be a good thing, especially in times of a pandemic) to portable inflatable plastic chairs is included. Of course, what can’t be missing from a good vision are kitchen robots and household robots. Visually, they bear little resemblance to the now familiar representatives of the Roobma or Moley brands, but CBS has really come up with some ideas for what life in one’s own four walls could look like.
Today, the reality may look a little different, but in many predictions, such as those about the home computer and the almost wall-sized TVs are present today in a similar form. All that’s missing is that ’60s charm that makes the TV special so unique.
Post Picture: CBS
