By Lina Bryce
Great Scott! Today is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown travelled to in Back to the Future, October 21, 2015. The future is now, thanks to innovation and technology that only free market capitalism can bring us. Let’s take a look at all the products the film predicted which we now enjoy and benefit from, all thanks to the productivity and creativity of men searching for success and piece of the American Dream.
1. Eye-Wearing Technology
Back To The Future Part II totally missed the mark by completely missing internet innovation, however, they did hit the nail on the head when they predicted this eyeglass wearing technology.
Google began selling a prototype of Google Glass in the U.S. on April 15, 2013, finally making it available to the public for purchase on May 15, 2014 just in the nick of time!
2. Drones
Drones are not only used to for providing aerial footage for news segments and Hollywood films, replacing the (costly) need of helicopters. Drone’s are also available to the consumer for home use.
Amazon had introduced their proposal to have packages delivered same-day via drone a few years ago. We would already enjoying this technological convenience, if it weren’t for government. However, we don’t see many people walking their dogs with them, the use of drones in that capacity is certainly in the realm of possibility
3. Hydroponics
Hydroponics are not only an innovative way to cultivate plants with nutrients and water, without soil. Today, people are enjoying their homegrown gardens, from counter tops to rooftops. Anyone can have their own personal mini-hydroponic greenhouse in their kitchen, similar to the one suggested by writers of Back To The Future. Alternative farming is not just the wave of the future anymore!
4. Video Conferencing
Whichever way you prefer to video conference today: Skype, Facetime, or Google Hangouts, there are many choices available to anyone in 2015 thanks to free markets and capitalism. With a bit of competition, it will only get better!
5. Self-lacing Sneakers
Okay, so maybe its a stretch, but still worth mentioning.
Nike had announced that 1500 pairs of Air Mags was to be auctioned on eBay, with all net proceeds going directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is aimed at finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Although Nike produced the first rechargeable footwear, it is not self-lacing.
Still very cool.
6. Finger Scan Technology
In Back To The Future, Jennifer was able to lock and unlock the door using her fingerprint. Fingerprint technology is certainly available in 2015 and has even had practical use for locking and unlocking doors and smartphones.
Flying Cars
The most iconic technology from Back to the Future was undoubtedly the flying DeLorean. While flying cars are not available for to the consumer (yet), there have been several working prototypes built. This is one technology that we may still yet see. However, there are obvious many practical problems that would need be addressed before society could ever take to the skies in such numbers.
“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
The Future Is Not Written…
Thinking outside the box was likely a challenge for writers of this science fiction, cult classic. The beauty of technology is that we simply don’t know what the future holds. Perhaps hover boards and time-travel will be possible in at the future. Certainly not in 2015.
Alas, we still wait for the DeLorian Time Machine. However, I can guarantee that if it were to happen, it will only be possible through a free market and capitalistic society.
“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”- Marty McFly
