A Vision of Isolating Technology from 1906

Replace these "wireless telegraphs" with smartphones, update the dress a little, and this vision from a 1906 issue of Punch magazine could easily be for 110 years in the future. Part of a series of "forecasts" for the year to come, the caption reads: “These two figures are not communicating with one another. The lady receives an amatory message, and the gentleman some racing results.” It's a reminder that the idea of technology leading to a breakdown in "authentic" human interaction is a worry not solely limited to our age.

Punch seemed to have a knack for uncanny predictions of distant technologies to come. See for example this vision of the Skype-like "Telephonoscope" from 1879.

Enjoyed this piece? We need your help to keep publishing.

The PDR is a non-profit project kept alive by reader donations – no ads, no paywalls, just the generosity of our community. It’s a really exciting model, but we need your help to keep it thriving. Visit our support page to become a Friend and receive our themed postcard packs. Or give a one-off donation. Already a supporter? A huge thank you for making all this possible.

Support PDR
RightsUnderlying Work RightsPD Worldwide
Digital Copy Rights

No Additional Rights

  • Labelled “Not in Copyright” by source
  • We offer this info as guidance only
DownloadDownloadRight click on image or see source for higher res versions
Found ViaFound Via

Diseases of Modern Life