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J.B.S. Haldane (1892-1964) -

British-Indian scientist J.B.S. Haldane worked in genetics, physiology, evolutionary biology, and mathematics. He coined the term "clone" and introduced the "primordial soup" theory.

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Looking to the future -

In 1923, he published a book titled 'Daedalus, or Science and the Future,' which explored what advancements could look like in everything from human reproduction and genetics to energy generation.

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A sensation -

The book became a sensation, influencing many scientists, artists, writers, activists, and politicians—even Winston Churchill.

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A runaway publishing success -

The book was such a tremendous success that its publisher decided to print more than 100 follow-up volumes. This series was called 'To-day and To-morrow.'

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The future of everything -

A selection of intellectuals, writers, and visionaries took part in the series, which ran until the 1930s. They imagined what science and technology might look like in the future.

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The future of everything -

However, the topics weren't limited to science and technology. They spanned a diverse range of subjects, including: women, religion, justice, censorship, family, alcohol, sleep, and swearing.

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Theory of relativity -

In the wake of the discovery of the theory of relativity by Albert Einstein, Haldane foresaw the future of physics to be in engineering.

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Biochemistry -

Haldane was a biochemist and thought that there would be exciting developments in this area of science in the coming years.

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The Daedalus myth -

Daedalus was an inventor in Greek mythology. To Haldane, he was the first genetic engineer, as he devised the invention that made it possible to produce a Minotaur (half man, half bull).

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Evolution -

Haldane imagined a future where humans learned to intervene in evolution, foretelling the possibility of genetic modification.

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Ectogenesis -

Haldane noted a prediction he called "ectogenesis." With this theory, he foretold the possibility of human embryo gestation, outside the physical body.

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Ectogenesis -

He thought artificial wombs or machine hosts could be in use by 1951. While it is still some way off, back in 2017 an artificial womb to nurture premature babies was trialed on sheep.

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More predictions -

Not only that, 'Daedalus' predicted wind power energy, hormone replacement therapy, rapid transport and communication, and climate catastrophe.

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The Cambridge Heretics -

'Daedalus' was based on a paper Haldane first read to a discussion group known as the Cambridge Heretics. Their organizer, C.K. Ogden, linked Haldane with publisher Kegan Paul.

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Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) -

Ogden proposed his friend Bertrand Russell, a philosopher, would write a response to 'Daedalus.' In 1924, 'Icarus, or the Future of Science' was published.

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'Icarus, or the Future of Science' (1924) -

Russell's response in 'Icarus' was a lot more pessimistic than the tone of 'Daedalus.' He foresaw scientific progress being used to further the interests of the powerful, at the expense of human happiness.

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Dora Russell (1894-1986) -

Later in the series, Bertrand Russell's wife Dora wrote a feminist volume on the importance of educating women to enjoy their sexuality, something quite shocking for its day.

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Rotor systems -

For his part, Oliver Stewart, author of 'Aeolus' (1927), thought we'd be using autogyros for short hops in the future, as helicopter prototypes at the time didn't look promising. Although incorrect, he was right about the future of rotors being used to power short hop air travel.

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'The World, the Flesh, and the Devil' (1929) -

A young X-ray crystallographer, J.D. Bernal, imagined possible developments if humanity was able to transcend its limitations. His work on 'The Flesh' is perhaps the most alarming.

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'The World, the Flesh, and the Devil' (1929) -

He put forward the idea of putting the human body inside a machine. This host would make us faster, stronger, and keep us alive for longer, as well as creating the potential for extra senses.

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Space -

In 'The World,' he imagines humans traveling to space and other planets, especially when the Earth's resources start to run out.

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Warp speed -

Bernal imagines huge biospheres that are able to transport whole communities over immense distances on their journeys through space.

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Wireless connection -

He also explored the idea of a human race that's interconnected in a wireless way, which leads him to what sci-fi writers call the idea of a "superintelligence" or "hive mind."

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Vera Brittain (1893-1970) -

Nurse and writer Vera Brittain penned 'Halcyon' (1929). In it, she considered the future of relationships, as well as women's rights and the legislation that would be in place to reflect them.

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Streaming services -

She also proposed something resembling a movie streaming service, so that people in monogamous relationships wouldn't get bored and cheat on their partner!

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The future of music -

Lionel McColvin, author of 'Euterpe' (1926), considered the ways the mechanical reproduction of music would affect engagement with the arts.

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Exploring the possibilities -

The 'To-day and To-morrow' series was subversive at the time of publication. The ideas presented were an exploration of the possibilities for the future, with a focus on how these advances would impact daily life.

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Exploring the possibilities -

The philosophy of the series was that in order for society to improve, generating new ideas were necessary. Teasing out their implications and possible effects allowed the authors to conduct a "thought experiment."

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Room for the wildest ideas -

Although the book series was published 100 years ago, it is remarkable in that it gave the authors space to examine the wildest ideas. They weren't confined to examining the effects of advancements on day-to-day life through the narrow lenses of subjects like climate change, the economy, working life, or technology, which we more often see in today's analyses.

Sources: (BBC Future)

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