Friday, February 17, 2006

The World in 2030 A.D.

"If the next century is tranquil and prosperous,
life in 2030 will be adorned by cultured and urbane
amenities in excess of the pleasant accompaniments
which our contemporary civilisation can exhibit."

The World in 2030


The World Polity in 2030


The Air in 2030


Woman in 2030
'In 2030 women will still use men as the media by which
their greatest triumphs are wrought; they will still be able,
by their wit and charms, to direct the activities of the
most able men towards heights which they could
never otherwise hope to achieve.' [Ha!]


Everyday Life in 2030


War in 2030


Industry in 2030


The Amenities of 2030


The Future in 2030


E McKnight Kauffer used an airbrush to produce the robotic steel forms for the 9 illustrations he contributed to The World in 2030 A.D.

The book was published in 1930, the year its author, conservative politician FE Smith (Earl of Birkenhead) died. The world described is said to be calmer and more rational with humane warfare (!), as opposed to 1930. I think it's safe to conclude that the illustrations are the highlight of this work and are not altogether inaccurate.

5 comments :

J M said...

A wonderful discovery.

Many contemporary illustrators imitate the style of these art déco era artists with digital media. It's very interesting to see the real thing.

Anonymous said...

such an innocence in it...we can only prey, humanity will survive till then :)

Anonymous said...

I just found this book tonight at a used book store. I HAD to buy it. Googling it I found you had mentioned everything I would have, so, cheers.

Errant Aesthete said...

I so respect the art of illustration in conveying an attitude of a time, a culture, a place that can be conveyed immediately, decisively, without qualification. It is the most prescient of the arts.

Tyler James said...

Wow, this is awesome! I love reading stuff like this, it reminds me of old Popular Science articles.

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