“Not shaving is the new shaving.”
My friend Foxymoron told me that last year. He seems to be right. Everyone is sporting a beard these days, even me. One of my managers at work has even taken to calling me “Wolverine”, which is a much better nickname than “Subcontractor”.
And as it turns out, someone knew this would be the style — 70 years ago. In the February 1, 1939, issue of Vogue magazine, designer Gilbert Rhode created an artistic drawing of what he deemed the “21st Century man”:
The man of the next century will revolt against shaving and wear a beautiful beard, says the designer of boilers, pianos, clocks, and metal furniture. His hat will be an an antennae - snatching radio out of the ether. His socks disposable, his suit minus tie collar and buttons.”
Look at this guy. How comfortable does he look? Aside from that empty bread basket on his head, this dude really does embody the contemporary man.
Think about it: all men now have beards, we wear silver one-piece turtleneck jumpsuits, and tuck our pants into our disposable socks.
Ok, well, maybe Rhode’s prediction wasn’t exactly right. I haven’t worn a belt that big since I did karate for two years when I was 12. But I do sometimes wear slip-on shoes, I no longer own a watch thanks to my cell phone clock, and strike a pose whenever I gaze my steely look at what looks like the Matrix.
Besides, Rhode’s rendition is a much better prediction than some others. Check out these 1900 postcards made by Hildebrands (a leading German chocolate company of the time) showing what the world will be like in the year 2000. (Photos courtesy of Paleo-Future.)
Walking on water
Roofed cities
Winged personal travel
Of course, not all predictions were so crazy. This image I found on the Google shows what appears to be the “futuristic” living room of the 21st century. Look carefully. What do you see? Anything familiar? I see a (1) big screen TV, (2) voyeurism, (3) the Internet, (4) a CD player, (5) a robot to do your bidding, and (6) an iPod. Not bad.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
that roof over the city would kick ass. does it regulate temperature, too? not that it would really make me get out of my pjs and leave the house any more than I currently do.
Note the LARGE telephone in that bottom pic. that’s like the bag cell phone from the ‘90!
Unfortunately, today it’s women who shave :(((
How could you not note the “telephone has TV as well as sound” inscription?
The fact that it has sound should go without saying, but that telephones would have TV (cell phones anyway) is dead on.
I-66’s last blog post..Dear Dr. Pepper,
The thing I find most amazing about Rhode’s predictive illustration is the fact that he foresaw that Dave Navarro from Jane’s Addiction would exist in the 21st century…eerie, innit?
It looked like jesus had more success as a businessman. Selling bread off his head.
I haven’t shaved all week until today. Awesome.
Seattle would like to call you about your roofed city.
rs27’s last blog post..I Turn the Radio On, I Turn the Radio Up
I love the images of the 1900s. Winged personal travel. Hahaha. As for futuristic stuff, I’m always shocked at how many things Isaac Asimov got right in his books. Freaky.
Not So Little Woman’s last blog post..If you feel guilty, raise your hand
does he have room for his iPhone in that thing? I think NOT
his house of the future is schweet..his lil “jumpsuit” not so much..
xoxo
suicide_blond’s last blog post..If the Rev. asks you to get Naked?
I just luv the idea of a roofed city.
Keep the smog in and the refreshing, clean rain out.
Actually, I live in Oregon and love the rain.
A mall is essentially a roofed city, without the residences.
@rs27 Was that a “Still Life With Woodpecker” reference? Or just a dig at Seattle?
Disposable socks would make my life sooooo much easier. You’d never have to worry about losing half of a pair!
jordanbaker’s last blog post..Project Runway Haiku: Deja vu all over again edition
Those are amazing. They fill me with warmth and goodness for the future of humanity.
As opposed to before when I regularly quoted the host from Ferris Bueller - “I weep for the future.”
And what, no love on BlogRoll?
Sisco’s last blog post..The Charm of the Homeless
What is it with futuristic visions and pantsuits?? If we were aliens we could get the long flowing robes , but no, it’s pantsuits… I like Jesus’ modern halo though. With reception like that there should be less miscommunication when chatting with God.. yay! world peace! (did I just inch a bit closer to hell?)
i really like the roofed city too (you feel like you’re outside - but not). judging from the comments, it could be a viable business venture. that and anti-humidity cities.
in the last pic, i see futbol, the greatest sport in the universe.