Society
A scientist’s 1925 predictions that came true a century later: once dismissed as “horrors”
Professor Archibald Montgomery Low, an eccentric inventor and engineer, made predictions about the future seemingly fantastical at the time, not so today.
Archibald Montgomery Low (1888–1956) was a British engineer, physicist, and prolific inventor, often dubbed the “father of radio guidance systems.” Among his many innovations, Low developed the first motorized unmanned aircraft and explored remote-control systems for airplanes, torpedoes, and rockets.
Although he earned respect for his technical achievements, Low’s flamboyant style, self-promotion, and informal use of the title “professor,” although he lacked the official credentials, alienated many of his peers. Despite the criticism, he contributed significantly to early advancements in television, even before World War I, and authored more than 40 books on science and technology.
A century ago, he made a number of predictions about the future that seemed fantastical at the time and were dismissed as “horrors” by some. However, today, many of his horrific visions have become an everyday reality.
Predictions that hit the mark
Low’s 1925 predictions have captured attention for their uncanny accuracy. Among the most notable:
- Radio alarm clocks: He envisioned alarm clocks that would integrate radio functions, a concept that’s now ubiquitous.
- Televised live events: Watching events unfold live via television, an unimaginable luxury in his era, has become a cornerstone of modern media.
- Escalators and personal radios: He foresaw the rise of escalators and portable communication devices akin to today’s smartphones and two-way radios.
- Fashion and science innovations: Low predicted that women would adopt pants as a standard garment—an idea dismissed in the 1920s but now a norm—and anticipated determining a baby’s sex before birth.
Low also foresaw advances in renewable energy, stating that “wind and tides will be harnessed to serve humanity.” His belief in a tech-driven future led him to predict a world where machines would handle laborious and undesirable tasks, making life “easier and more pleasant.”
Media and surveillance: a vision of today
As an expert in media technologies, Low imagined household speakers delivering news and entertainment, replacing printed newspapers with what he called a “television machine.” He described a future where global broadcasts would be accessible with a single press of a button.
Low even anticipated modern surveillance tools, predicting secret cameras and listening devices that would help catch criminals—technologies now embedded in our daily lives.
Misses and wild imaginings
Not all of Low’s ideas materialized. Moving sidewalks, one-piece outfits for daily wear, and felt hats as enduring staples of 21st-century fashion didn’t pan out. Some predictions veered into the fantastical, like streetlights powered by luminous plants, electrically charged water jets replacing cavalry, and telepathic communication via electric impulses.
Original article written by Laura Martin Sanjuan, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.
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