Predictions for 2016 from 1966

In 1966, Margaret Thorne, a member of the Junior Historian Club of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia, published some predictions for the year 2016 in her local paper. Here's what she envisioned for the year we've now arrived at:

The growth of suburbia: "the only land untouched by suburbia will be the national and state parks and forests, that our ancestors were foresighted enough to conserve and a few farms of enormous size in the midwest."

Work: "the vast majority of the people will be seated in front of man's ingenious invention, the computer."

Food: "People will take a pill for breakfast that will supply them with needed nourishment. Algae, a very simple plant, which can be grown in great vats and will multiply rapidly, can be made into very appetizing morsels."

Fuel: "More sources of fuels must be found and methods for bringing the natural resources to the surface. Someone must find ways to captivate the sun's radiation and make it work for us. The sun will need to be our major fuel in the years to come."

Water: "Our water supply will need to be taken from the seas as our lands get drier and drier."

Not bad, all in all. The food-in-pills and ubiquitous spread of suburbia were misses. But she scored on the increasing importance of computers, and she kind of anticipated the development of fracking and growth of solar technology, as well as the water scarcity (which is certainly true here in California).

The Raleigh Register — Apr 25, 1966

Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 01, 2016 - Comments (5)
Category: Predictions, Yesterday’s Tomorrows, 1960s

Juicy Case

Mr. Adams dared to be different. All it got him was a divorce.

The Daily Standard (Sikeston, Missouri) — Sep 16, 1960

Posted By: Alex - Tue Dec 29, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Divorce, 1960s

A Woman’s Best Friend

Is this deliberately suggestive? Or do I just have a dirty mind?

Source: Newsweek - Sep 1964

Posted By: Alex - Sun Dec 27, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Advertising, 1960s

Santa Claus Is Dead

How would it be for you if your car had killed Santa Claus?

Source: Kansas City Times - Dec 9, 1969

Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 23, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Advertising, 1960s, Christmas

NASA Presents:  Space Food!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 22, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Food, Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy, 1960s

Honor system at police donut shop

The Index-Journal (Greenwood, South Carolina) - Aug 10, 1960

Posted By: Alex - Mon Dec 21, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Police and Other Law Enforcement, 1960s

Follies of the Madmen #267

It's funny, because women don't know which end of a lathe is up!

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 08, 2015 - Comments (12)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Stereotypes and Cliches, Tools, Hair Styling, 1960s, Women

Dig Yourself

Sound advice--no pun intended.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 06, 2015 - Comments (2)
Category: Music, Self-help Schemes, 1960s

Hoover at Christmas

Does any woman want housework gear and appliances at Christmas? And how do you get the new stove wrapped and under the tree?

Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 05, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: Family, Holidays, Appliances, 1960s

In a Long White Room

How this easy-listening, faux-psychedelic ripoff ever avoided a plagiarism suit with Cream's "White Room" is a mystery for the ages. Maybe lawyers were stunned into inaction by the gonzo brilliance of the lyrics

"We will tuck each other in, and dream about trains/You'll call me 'Beauty' and I'll call you 'Brains.'"

Trippy, man!

Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 03, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Music, Homages, Pastiches, Tributes and Borrowings, Psychedelic, 1960s