10 predictions that Isaac Asimov got right 50 years ago (and 5 that he botched)

(January 4, 2015)  Back in 1964, amid all the hustle and bustle of the World’s Fair in New York, renowned science-fiction author and futurist Isaac Asimov took a moment to ponder what the world would look like 50 years from then, in 2014. His wide-ranging predictions cover everything from the capabilities of technology to the state of human society, and while some of his guesses have proven to be stunningly accurate, a handful of them were way off.

What he got right

“Gadgetry will continue to relieve mankind of tedious jobs. Kitchen units will be devised that will prepare ‘automeals,’ heating water and converting it to coffee; toasting bread; frying, poaching or scrambling eggs, grilling bacon, and so on. Breakfasts will be ‘ordered’ the night before to be ready by a specified hour the next morning.”

Although not all of this statement is true, it’s mostly correct. Automatic coffeemakers have existed for decades now, and lately things like kettles have become Web-connected and simple to automate. Although they’re not common yet, 3D food printers have been developed that can print out pasta, chocolates, and even pizza. We do not, however, have automatic scrambled egg makers. Somebody should get on that. That’s a Kickstarter I’d definitely be willing to back. 

read entire article