Back in 1888 Victorians were asked to predict Britain in 100 years – and it’s uncanny

Back in 1888 the good people of Answers magazine were challenged to predict what the world would like like in 100 years time.

Now obviously we’ve moved on a little bit beyond 1988 (and in some respects, we’ve moved quite a bit backwards as well).

But anyway, give or take a few extra decades or two, their answers – as unearthed by Dr Bob Nicholson – are occasionally very funny and often totally uncanny.

In 1888, Answers magazine ran a competition inviting readers to predict what life would be like in Britain 'a hundred years hence.' Strap in and get ready to learn how the Victorians imagined the 1980s!

Thread 👇👇👇: pic.twitter.com/hY6Vw2MLHN

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) December 27, 2018

1.

"Invasion is made impossible by the intellectual, self-acting pyro-aqua vengeance bombs." pic.twitter.com/GH06XsRh4s

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

2.

Pah! Such a thing could *NEVER* come to pass! pic.twitter.com/dqAhPhQD5j

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

3.

Inconceivable! pic.twitter.com/v7un8M849J

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

4.

"There will be double the number of millionaires, and about the same proportion of very poor as at present, who will seem poorer by comparison…" pic.twitter.com/f9Lfj0H36g

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

5.

This one is a bit trippy, but also kinda prescient with predictions like "heat shall be drawn from the clouds and light from running water" and "armies shall meet in the air." pic.twitter.com/6G8TqytVCf

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

6.

The chancellor in 1988 was Nigel Lawson. So, not a million miles away on that prediction either! pic.twitter.com/Moeef04Ipd

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

7.

A *lot* of these predictions were fixated on the increasing popularity of cremation. Some, like this wag, also tried to butter-up the editors of Answers in the hope of preferential treatment. Alas, the magazine only lasted until 1955. pic.twitter.com/aMvyTpeBQJ

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

8.

Three Channel Tunnels, a female majority in parliament, and the abolition of the House of Lords! Well, at least we got the 'air traveling machines' and made it to the moon quicker than this Victorian predicted… pic.twitter.com/vvyLgE30Gw

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

9.

"…underground tubes will be made through which things will be propelled at enormous speed." pic.twitter.com/XYbPjmupTb

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

10.

"Trips to Melbourne by balloon express" and the prospect of working-class people at Cambridge! pic.twitter.com/Umtj82YIEM

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

11.

Quite a few entries predicted that phonographic recordings would replace handwritten/typed letters. pic.twitter.com/w3wf8TklTJ

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

12.

At last, we reach the winner of the competition! Mr. Marcus G. Morrison of London, who somehow managed to fit all of these predictions onto one postcard. pic.twitter.com/mHust2SquB

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

There was as PS (or two).

If you enjoyed that Victorian vision of the future, then you might also like this one! https://t.co/CH0rqlOnTX

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

And this! https://t.co/lvshvKezZU

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

Or how about this? https://t.co/hCoyTFhN9C

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

Or, finally, this! https://t.co/apoJMYJLnQ

— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) 27 December 2018

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People love how Victorian women replied to this question why they weren’t married

Source @DigiVictorian