As we step into 2025, it’s fascinating to look back at the predictions made a century ago in 1925 by a British scientist, Professor Archibald Montgomery Low. His forecasts about the life of future humans, though initially dismissed as imaginative, have proven remarkably accurate in many cases.
Professor Low’s predictions, published in his book The Future, were reported by British newspapers such as the London Daily News. These forecasts, including the use of radio alarm clocks, personal radio sets for communication, and watching or listening to news through loudspeakers and television during breakfast, were considered revolutionary at the time.
Highlights of His Predictions:
- Radio Alarm Clocks: He foresaw people waking up to radio alarm clocks, which is now a common household item.
- Personal Communication Devices: He predicted portable radio sets, an idea resembling today’s smartphones and personal communication gadgets.
- Television and Loudspeakers for News: He imagined a world where people consumed news and entertainment via loudspeakers and televisions, which indeed became integral to modern life.
- Escalators and Moving Walkways: His vision of automated stairs has materialized in the form of escalators and moving walkways.
- Advances in Law Enforcement: He anticipated the use of surveillance cameras and listening devices for crime prevention and solving, a cornerstone of modern security systems.
- Automated Telephones: Automatic telephone systems are another prediction that became a reality.
- Women’s Fashion: He predicted women would commonly wear trousers, a trend widely accepted in today’s fashion.
- Gender Determination Before Birth: His insight into prenatal gender determination has become a standard medical practice.
- Renewable Energy: Professor Low foresaw the rise of wind and solar energy as key power sources.
- Machines Making Life Easier: His predictions about machines taking over difficult and labor-intensive tasks align perfectly with modern automation and robotics.
About Professor Archibald Montgomery Low
Born in 1888, Professor Low was a visionary scientist and inventor. He is credited with developing the first powered drone and contributing to the creation of television. His work on airplanes, torpedo boats, and guided rockets earned him the title of the “Father of Radio Guidance Systems.”
Legacy of His Predictions
A century later, many of his predictions have been realized or partially fulfilled, showcasing his remarkable foresight. According to Jane Baldwin, a researcher at the online service Find My Past, it’s astonishing how accurately Professor Low envisioned the technological advances of the 21st century.
These predictions not only highlight the genius of Professor Low but also remind us of the incredible progress humanity has made in the last 100 years.
