Histories of the Future

Visitors are invited to explore how people in the past imagined the future in a talk led by Florencia Pierri, associate curator of science and technology at the MIT Museum. Drawing on examples from the museum’s collection, the presentation traces visions of the future from the 1850s to the 1950s, including how people thought we would travel, communicate, live, and eat.

The talk highlights predictions that were surprisingly accurate, wildly inaccurate, and often wonderfully strange, revealing how they reflected the hopes, fears, and aspirations of their time. This program is free with museum admission. Walk-ins are welcome, though advance registration is recommended to reserve a spot.