I remember we only had 12 tv channels. And every time you wanted to change the channel, you had to get up off the couch and press a button on the tv next to the corresponding channel. As far as computers, I used one in a class in junior high but I can't remember what I did on it.
The first thing I thought about when I read this story was "The Jetsons". I used to watch that all the time. I think we thought that was what would happen in the future. They are building airplanes now that can take you from one location to another. And now they're creating drones that deliver packages. Who knows what's next?
Yep, the "golden age" of t.v. (unless you were the one designated at the remote control...haha) To me, and this could just be looking at things through rose colored glasses, t.v. was much better back then. The shows seemed innovative, even with limited resources such as special effects, etc. At least that's how I'll always remember it.
The Jetsons does seem to be sort of the yardstick that the future was measured against. They did get a few things right, though.
I agree with the shows being better. I find myself wanting to watch shows like Rockford Files, Frasier, Magnum P.I., etc. Of course, those shows are on METV and other oldies channels.
Two words: LODE RUNNER. I've not thought of that game in years - and now I have that itch to play it. On a floppy disc, of course. And maybe ... Oregon Trail? And then a computer-based Dungeons and Dragons? The nostalgic possibilities are endless!
As for what might have been ... when I was in elementary school in the late 70s, we watched an animated film (not a video - a reel-to-reel film) about the 'future.' My only memory of this film was a machine - in my recollection, not unlike one of those early WWI tanks - that moved along the ground, chewing up trees, levelling hills and producing a perfect road out of its backside as it went. Environmentally it's obviously not something that should be realised in reality, but the idea it was pretty cool - and, given the amount of time I seem to sit in the car waiting for roadworks - something I wouldn't mind!
Yes! Lode Runner was semi-addictive, especially as it was one of the few computer games out there. I never played Oregon Trail, but I've heard stories! That film (we had reel-to-reels when I was in school, too) you mentioned does sound familiar, to be honest. Hmmmm. Either way, it's fun seeing what people envisioned.
Nice brain-tickler, Mark (for the first article of my new subscription)! I'm not sure I did much thinking about the future, say, in the '60s (I was 10 in '65), but what I DO recall being told was that "one day, every house would have a computer!"
Of course, back then, computers on TV and in movies were massive wall-sized banks of whirring wheels, blinking lights, and buzzing doo-dads! And, I was astounded that I guess we'll all have to, somehow, make room in all our houses for one of our walls to house this computer thing!
I guess, with "The Jetsons," I'm sure we all got excited about flying cars and having dinosaurs as pets (ooops, that was "The Flintstones")! Guess I'll quit while I'm (arguably) ahead! Thanks, Mark!😎👍
Hey Brad, thank you! I do find it interesting to see different perspectives from different age groups (though, you're only 13 years older than me :) ) as to what the future might hold. I'm sure there are still people alive who never dreamed of t.v.s being in every home or even such things as garage door openers. Thanks for the comment :)
Very good point, yes. Especially with all the space shuttle flights we were doing for a while. I'm not sure we're ready for FTL travel, but maybe one day.
I remember we only had 12 tv channels. And every time you wanted to change the channel, you had to get up off the couch and press a button on the tv next to the corresponding channel. As far as computers, I used one in a class in junior high but I can't remember what I did on it.
The first thing I thought about when I read this story was "The Jetsons". I used to watch that all the time. I think we thought that was what would happen in the future. They are building airplanes now that can take you from one location to another. And now they're creating drones that deliver packages. Who knows what's next?
Yep, the "golden age" of t.v. (unless you were the one designated at the remote control...haha) To me, and this could just be looking at things through rose colored glasses, t.v. was much better back then. The shows seemed innovative, even with limited resources such as special effects, etc. At least that's how I'll always remember it.
The Jetsons does seem to be sort of the yardstick that the future was measured against. They did get a few things right, though.
I agree with the shows being better. I find myself wanting to watch shows like Rockford Files, Frasier, Magnum P.I., etc. Of course, those shows are on METV and other oldies channels.
Two words: LODE RUNNER. I've not thought of that game in years - and now I have that itch to play it. On a floppy disc, of course. And maybe ... Oregon Trail? And then a computer-based Dungeons and Dragons? The nostalgic possibilities are endless!
As for what might have been ... when I was in elementary school in the late 70s, we watched an animated film (not a video - a reel-to-reel film) about the 'future.' My only memory of this film was a machine - in my recollection, not unlike one of those early WWI tanks - that moved along the ground, chewing up trees, levelling hills and producing a perfect road out of its backside as it went. Environmentally it's obviously not something that should be realised in reality, but the idea it was pretty cool - and, given the amount of time I seem to sit in the car waiting for roadworks - something I wouldn't mind!
Yes! Lode Runner was semi-addictive, especially as it was one of the few computer games out there. I never played Oregon Trail, but I've heard stories! That film (we had reel-to-reels when I was in school, too) you mentioned does sound familiar, to be honest. Hmmmm. Either way, it's fun seeing what people envisioned.
Nice brain-tickler, Mark (for the first article of my new subscription)! I'm not sure I did much thinking about the future, say, in the '60s (I was 10 in '65), but what I DO recall being told was that "one day, every house would have a computer!"
Of course, back then, computers on TV and in movies were massive wall-sized banks of whirring wheels, blinking lights, and buzzing doo-dads! And, I was astounded that I guess we'll all have to, somehow, make room in all our houses for one of our walls to house this computer thing!
I guess, with "The Jetsons," I'm sure we all got excited about flying cars and having dinosaurs as pets (ooops, that was "The Flintstones")! Guess I'll quit while I'm (arguably) ahead! Thanks, Mark!😎👍
Hey Brad, thank you! I do find it interesting to see different perspectives from different age groups (though, you're only 13 years older than me :) ) as to what the future might hold. I'm sure there are still people alive who never dreamed of t.v.s being in every home or even such things as garage door openers. Thanks for the comment :)
Honestly, I thought we'd be living on the Moon by now and we'd be on the way to developing a FTL drive but alas.
Very good point, yes. Especially with all the space shuttle flights we were doing for a while. I'm not sure we're ready for FTL travel, but maybe one day.