TheOmni Future Almanacwas published in 1982 — a year when America would see double - finger ostentatiousness and double - digit unemployment . Despite all this , the author of the book were broadly speaking affirmative about the futurity of the country . applied science , they explain , would figure out many of the problem facing the state . In conjunction with this , the American the great unwashed would surely worker smarter and simplify their life , all while better everyone ’s monetary standard of living .
From the book :
By 2000 , most Americans will be experiencing a raw successfulness . The problems of shrivel vim supply and spiraling costs will be cancel by developing in computers , genetic technology , and service industry that will bring in about lifestyle changes that will in routine boost the economy . essentially , Americans will be able to simplify their life and spend less money supporting themselves . Indeed , vim conservation will force Americans to become more resourceful fiscally and to spend less on many item .
But what about cost of the hereafter ? That double - digit ostentatiousness stoked awe that prices for common solid food items in the hereafter would skyrocket .
The average price of a pound of beef cattle in the year 2010 ? The leger predicted it would be $ 22.75 . The actual price ? About $ 3.75 .
The prices of a loaf of bread of bread ? They forebode it would attain $ 8 . Actual price ? About $ 2.50 .
But which single commodity did they bode would pull down out in the 21st century ? Somewhat shockingly , gasoline .
That ’s correct , the book promise that a congius of gas ( which be about $ 1 in 1980 ) would top out at $ 4 in 1990 and then take down off to $ 2 not only in the year 2000 but maintain that price into the year 2010 as well .
But those astonishing cost for basic sustenance does n’t expect quite so scary when you believe what they thought the mediocre American would be paid .
A secretaire of the year 2010 ? $ 95,000 . A factory worker ? $ 95 an hour .
Of course , wages for repository , factory workers and public high school teachers have n’t evenkept stride with inflation . But at least a subway drive is n’t yet $ 20 .
This post originally come along atSmithsonian.com .
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