Comments on: 1970s Children Draw Robot Presidents and Nuclear Apocalypse http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/ A history of the future that never was Fri, 17 May 2013 21:40:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Dave http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-441 Dave Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:19:19 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-441 I remember drawing pictures like this, for this project. We were told in social studies or art to draw what what we thought cities would look like in 2076. The bicentennial was a big thing, and provided themed activities for the entire school year. I suspect most of the students who drew these pictures were told the same as I was "This week we are going to draw what we think the year 2076 will look like." And hey did. Remember that in 1976 the previous 20 years saw a lot of change, particularly with regard to the prospects of nuclear war and space, so these things were on our minds. And our images of the future came from cartoons (The Jetsons), and Star Trek. But outside of TV all we heard about was nuclear war and pollution and overpopulation. In 1976, the future looked in many ways very bleak. That's why The Jetsons and Star Trek were popular -- they were positive versions of the future. In any case, 2076 seemed very far into the future. Heck, the year 2000 seemed impossibly far into the future. I remember drawing pictures like this, for this project. We were told in social studies or art to draw what what we thought cities would look like in 2076. The bicentennial was a big thing, and provided themed activities for the entire school year. I suspect most of the students who drew these pictures were told the same as I was “This week we are going to draw what we think the year 2076 will look like.” And hey did. Remember that in 1976 the previous 20 years saw a lot of change, particularly with regard to the prospects of nuclear war and space, so these things were on our minds. And our images of the future came from cartoons (The Jetsons), and Star Trek. But outside of TV all we heard about was nuclear war and pollution and overpopulation. In 1976, the future looked in many ways very bleak. That’s why The Jetsons and Star Trek were popular — they were positive versions of the future. In any case, 2076 seemed very far into the future. Heck, the year 2000 seemed impossibly far into the future.

]]> By: Phil http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-405 Phil Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:09:38 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-405 @Frau I hope so! They would only be in their 40's or 50's by now! -Also awesome article, we still have time for jet packs. @Frau I hope so! They would only be in their 40′s or 50′s by now! -Also awesome article, we still have time for jet packs.

]]> By: Frau http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-404 Frau Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:49:47 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-404 I would like to know if any of these students are still alive today. And what would they think of what they drew back then. I would like to know if any of these students are still alive today. And what would they think of what they drew back then.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-367 Elizabeth Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:33:04 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-367 I feel the drawing regarding our returning to a more simplistic life is the most prophetic.... It is what is coming. I feel the drawing regarding our returning to a more simplistic life is the most prophetic…. It is what is coming.

]]> By: Kyle Curtis http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-358 Kyle Curtis Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:40:07 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-358 @Tulei- Trust me, as someone who works with 5th graders, these drawings are NOT at a fourth-grade level. This is an interesting post, and inspired me to do something similar with my kids. I wonder if things would be any different, despite the near 40 years that have passed. @Tulei- Trust me, as someone who works with 5th graders, these drawings are NOT at a fourth-grade level.

This is an interesting post, and inspired me to do something similar with my kids. I wonder if things would be any different, despite the near 40 years that have passed.

]]> By: Amna A Emir http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-354 Amna A Emir Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:07:08 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-354 Who would have guessed 30 years ago that Today we search for answers on the WWW with eyes on Youtube, ears on iTunes, move though different time zones whilst instructing a whole workforce, turn on the garden hose and speak in universal Iconic languages! Fast forward 30 years, 60 years...and these kids will prove great foresight able to anticipate challenges and design solutions for a sustainable future ! Who would have guessed 30 years ago that Today we search for answers on the WWW with eyes on Youtube, ears on iTunes, move though different time zones whilst instructing a whole workforce, turn on the garden hose and speak in universal Iconic languages!
Fast forward 30 years, 60 years…and these kids will prove great foresight able to anticipate challenges and design solutions for a sustainable future !

]]> By: Harriot Massey http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-352 Harriot Massey Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:41:12 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-352 I was glad to see that most of the pictures showed optimism about the future. How great for the future of our country! I was glad to see that most of the pictures showed optimism about the future. How great for the future of our country!

]]> By: tulei http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-350 tulei Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:07:54 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-350 Apparently, in 1976, kids in high school drew on a fourth-grade level. Apparently, in 1976, kids in high school drew on a fourth-grade level.

]]> By: Judy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-349 Judy Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:11:31 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-349 My son frequently asks me what we thought the future would be like when we were kids; he is in high school, I was born in 1972. I am going to forward this article to him, it pretty much sums it up and reminds me what we did think was to come. Thanks so much for posting! My son frequently asks me what we thought the future would be like when we were kids; he is in high school, I was born in 1972. I am going to forward this article to him, it pretty much sums it up and reminds me what we did think was to come. Thanks so much for posting!

]]> By: Gus Fallon http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/2012/02/1970s-children-draw-robot-presidents-and-nuclear-apocalypse/#comment-348 Gus Fallon Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:45:28 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/paleofuture/?p=1724#comment-348 The "Lost in Space" robot is running for President? Hopefully, Dr. Smith will be his opponent: "No one will vote for you, you bobble headed booby!" The “Lost in Space” robot is running for President? Hopefully, Dr. Smith will be his opponent: “No one will vote for you, you bobble headed booby!”

]]>