Why 1960s technology felt more futuristic than today's gadgets
By
Jonathan Sayers
Pulled from the oven just right. Trustworthy, fact-dense, deeply satisfying.
Summary
The article argues that modern technology feels less futuristic than 1960s tech because it lacks personality, suffers from uniform design, and is built for disposability rather than longevity. It contrasts the imaginative, character-filled designs of mid-20th century technology (like the Bell Labs Picturephone and the IBM 360) with today's homogenized gadgets, and critiques the planned obsolescence and lack of soul in modern consumer electronics.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledWhen was the last time you bought a tech product that actually felt futuristic?
Technology doesn't seem as futuristic as it did in the 1960s because there's no personality, everything looks the same, and nothing is made to last.
The Bell Labs Picturephone felt like a glimpse into tomorrow — not because it was practical, but because it was imaginative.
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