Wednesday, 22 May 2013

• Bearded Men of the 21st Century

  What are the wonders and horrors that loom in the future?  What is looming today?  After all, today is yesterday's tomorrow.  I found all the answers in The Paleofuture Blog. 
   

  In the Future We Will Be Streamlined (1934)

  From The San Antonio Light:  "Why shouldn't men and women have their ears clipped to a torpedo raciness, get their trunks windcurved, be equipped with a set of toeless, graceful feet and possess a filtering device which will give them pure rather than germ-laden air?"  Click to expand the image.

  

  
   

    
  

  Bearded Men of the 21st Century (1939)       This is from Vogue, February 1, 1939.    "The man of the next century will revolt against shaving and wear a beautiful beard, says the designer of boilers, pianos, clocks, and metal furniture. His hat will be an an antennae - snatching radio out of the ether. His socks disposable, his suit minus tie collar and buttons."

   

  Robots for Romantic Old Maids (1928)

  "In this happy future, no old maid need look under the bed for a man, in vain. He would always be there and such a nice man, a perfect imitation of her favorite matinee idol or film star, with blond or dark hair, moustache or clean shaven, anything her heart desired. These would be stock models, turned out in quantity production and quite reasonable in price. This year probably a 'Lindy' model would have been a big seller. Or, if the customer is willing to pay a little more and have one made to order, the manufacturer might send artists and photographers to some notorious lounge-lizard and deliver a perfect counterfeit of him. She could order the late Rudolf Valentine's face and John Barrymore's voice or most any other combination.

  "He can sit beside her on the couch or take her on his substantial knees, embracing her with a tireless mechanical arm. The introduction of this kind of automation would throw out of work a small army of 'gigolos,' young men who in Europe, pay attention to old and unattractive ladies of wealth, for a consideration."

  From The San Antonio Light, July 1, 1928 
   

   

    Instant Baby Machine (1930)The 1930 film Just Imagine shows how babies will be made in the futuristic world of 1980.

   

   

  Giant Babies of the Future (1937) 
  from the 1937 Nov 21 San Antonio Light.  Click to expand the image.

   

   

   

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