It is in the nature of things that visions of the future that have come to pass are no longer recognizable as such to posterity, since they have exchanged their electrifying status as visionary for that of the everyday, and we regard them as a matter of course in our lives.
Nevertheless, and precisely for this reason, it makes sense to comb through historical reserves of ideas, because a good idea must ultimately fulfill two basic criteria: meaningfulness and technical feasibility. The latter depends on the technical possibilities available at the time, changes rapidly as a result of leaps in technical development, and ultimately develops the potential to elevate an idea from the niche of nerdy science fiction to the status of a feasible and now serious concept after years or decades.
An expedition through the past, present, and future in search of visions that have become reality and (as yet) unfulfilled desires.
To register for the New Year’s Lecture 2026 (Wed, Jan. 28, 2026, at 7:15 p.m.)…
