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The Future as Imagined in the 1950s, Schridde’s Iconic Illustrations

We absolutely love exploring a time capsule back to the 1950s and 60s, marveling at how designers from that era envisioned ‘the future’.

Time and again, their predictions are surprisingly accurate, and even in cases where they missed the mark, it’s endearing to see their imaginative spirit. This collection continues to impress, remaining relevant and inspiring even 70 years later!

Illustrator Charles Schridde made his mark by visualizing the home of the future. This collection of fascinating illustrations was commissioned by Motorola, and Schridde was tasked with featuring their technology at the center of the designs.

The mid-century designs still look cool today, and some of them have gone on to inspire movie sets (Incredibles 2, anyone?) and 21st century architects.

Great retro-futurism.  Via Atomic Ranch:

An illustration depicting a futuristic mid-century living room featuring large glass windows, modern furniture, and a scenic water view. The design includes a round ceiling fixture and an orange rug, capturing the essence of retro-futurism.
A futuristic illustration from the 1950s showing a woman bending down near a pool in a modern, glass-enclosed living space with mid-century design elements and a view of the outdoors.
An illustration depicting a futuristic living space, featuring a circular room with large glass windows, two people seated on a curved sofa, and mid-century decor elements, all set against a night cityscape.
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Responses

  1. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    Beautiful and awesome at the same time3.

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  2. John Avatar
    John

    Many of the architecture features shown here can be seen in home tours during mid-century modernism week in Palm Springs every February.

    It is interesting to note that they weren’t predicting the development of flat screen TVs at that time. I do know that the Monsanto House of Tomorrow at Disneyland in the 50’s did have a small flat screen B&W tv.

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  3. Fernando Gonçalves Avatar
    Fernando Gonçalves

    Wow! How off they all were!
    Modern architecture is a blah as ever!

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  4. artistbrande Avatar
    artistbrande

    They couldn’t have predicted the slobs Americans have turned into!

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  5. Deb Avatar
    Deb

    But there is a hanging TV, tho all the pictures on the tubes are black and white!

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  6. Yessir Avatar
    Yessir

    Apparently, they envisioned all of us living on waters edge, and still having console TV sets!

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  7. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    We seemed to think that we would bring as much nature close to our living spaces.
    But they didn’t consider our population growing so fast & in America inner cities didn’t have the room or money for that style of living. I would have thought that there would have been more about outer space living & moving sidewalks in the cities, that sort of stuff.

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    1. Moss And Fog Avatar
      Moss And Fog

      That’s insightful, thank you for the comment!

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  8. Maxedwell Avatar
    Maxedwell

    I’ll bet a lot of people in the ‘50s went out and bought stock in Drackett – the company which owned Windex at the time…

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    1. Moss And Fog Avatar
      Moss And Fog

      Ha! We’ll have to look that one up. You sound knowledgeable on the subject.

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  9. Michael J Cannon Avatar
    Michael J Cannon

    Where are the hover cars that were predicted in my 1950’s grade school weekly reader.

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    1. Moss And Fog Avatar
      Moss And Fog

      It seems like they’re finally coming! Check out technology like this: https://mossandfog.com/the-volonaut-airbike-brings-the-flying-speeder-from-star-wars-to-life/

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  10. BillT Avatar
    BillT

    Funny, in these scenes everything looks futuristic except for the televisions. A box with a screen on the front? On a stand? LOL!

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  11. James Miller Avatar
    James Miller

    Anyone for more glass walls and concrete pylons? More and more glass walls and pylons? Even MORE glass and concrete than that? It’s the future dude!

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  12. Paul Lee Avatar
    Paul Lee

    They apparently predicted Close Encounters of the Third Kind and having a mountain with plants in your living room.

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  13. Ol Ed Avatar
    Ol Ed

    Good luck getting the permits to build that!

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  14. Wayne Avatar
    Wayne

    Very nice! There’s an active, open and proper ethos to mid century design that is somehow uncluttered and pleasing to the eye. Perhaps moss and fog would encourage readers to try their own hand, sketches, drawings at a modern take on mid century modern aesthetic scenes? Perhaps architectural themed photos? Should be fun!

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    1. Moss And Fog Avatar
      Moss And Fog

      That’s a great idea, thanks for the insightful comment!

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  15. Gail robbins Avatar
    Gail robbins

    Unfortunately we don’t all live by the ocean.

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  16. Q Marks the Spot 197 (June 2025 Treasure Map) – Quaerentia Avatar
    Q Marks the Spot 197 (June 2025 Treasure Map) – Quaerentia

    […] Doesn’t quite match up to reality, but here is one artist’s 1950s vision of homes of the future […]

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