Skies full of personal flying vehicles, robotic servants, and mail carriers with jetpacks. Decades ago, artists’ imaginings formed high expectations about the world to come. Were these just fantasies — or was it the work of pioneers whose visions of the future actually helped to shape it?

“A Visual History of the Future” will explore how imagery in advertising, magazines, and other media has been used to inspire, sell, and build our ideas of the future. We’ll look at everything from the home to infrastructure to the cities we live in — at ideas that ranged from the insightful to the absurd. And we’ll be looking at the times in which these images were created: what was happening in the world that formed “the future” of that time?

When we celebrate progress, we often talk about scientists, engineers, and designers who developed theories or built tangible things. Artists are often overlooked, and their contributions — the production, visualization and distribution of ideas — are less tangible. This series will shine a light on these creators and how they reached the audiences of the day.

Episode 1

In the 19th century, rapid technological change was the catalyst for artists to start visualizing the future.

Episode 2

Post-war artists sold us a vision of a luxurious, automated suburban lifestyle.

Episode 3

In the 20th century, publishers blended education and entertainment to satisfy a science-curious public.

Episode 4

Walt Disney had a vision for tomorrow — and the means to sell it.

Episode 5

Could fantastical plans for the cities of tomorrow solve the real problems of urban life?

Afterword

Many 20th-century artists who visualized the future are largely unknown today — but their ideas have lasting impact.

Future Fragments

Our favorite images that didn’t make it into the main series.

A Visual History of the Future is five-part series from How We Get To Next. To see more images, visit the Pinterest boards for the series here.

Thanks to Chris Mullen, whose time and vast collection of images have been invaluable in researching this project.

Please click on the applause button to recommend A Visual History of the Future to your friends! And for more from How We Get To Next, follow us on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for our newsletter.