1. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) — Tablet Computers
The slick, touchscreen computers on the '90s version of the Enterprise looked unbelievable at the time. Now we'd be complaining about the image resolution of the monitors.
2. Inspector Gadget (1983) — Invisibility Cloak
In one episode, Inspector Gadget's sidekick Penny wore a sweet invisibility cloak. Today scientists are developing materials with nanotechnology and LEDs that can replicate invisibility.
3. Small Wonder — Housecleaning Robots
The 1980s thought you needed a child robot to help around the house. The 2000s taught us that all you really need is a tiny, subservient disk.
4. The Jetsons — Hyperloop Transit
Scientists and inventors, most notably Elon Musk, are currently working on technology to send passenger trains through vacuum tubes at speeds topping 2,500 miles per hour.
5. Max Headroom (1987) — Annoying Internet Advertising
Max Headroom was a TV talking head in a society ruled by media networks. He predicted the glitchy, pop-up ridden world of early internet advertising.
6. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) — The Holodeck
Star Trek: The Next Generation also teased us with a room that holographically recreates other locations. Recent computer advances are enabling 3D holographic interfaces (similar to scenes in the movie Minority Report). A functional holodeck might not be too far off.
7. The Simpsons (1992) — Baby Translator
A 1992 episode of The Simpsons foretold a machine that translated Maggie Simpson's baby talk. Today there is an iPhone app that claims to translate a baby's cries.
8. Doctor Who (1963) — Universal Language Translation
The titular Doctor has been able to have all sorts of languages instantaneously translated into English with the help of his TARDIS's translation circuit, a telepathic field that renders almost every language immediately comprehensible. In reality, we've developed an incredible selection of smartphone apps and websites that work just as well.
9. Star Trek (1966) — Internal Medical Imaging
The magic, flashing wands that doctors waved over patients in the sickbay of the Starship Enterprise were today's equivalent of digital diagnostic imaging.
10. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) — Bionic Limbs
The Six Million Dollar Man would be worth $30 million in 2013 dollars. That seems like a bargain for the ability to run as fast as a car and jump over buildings. Today, for significantly less money, doctors are now fitting patients with prosthetic limbs that respond to brainwaves.
The human mind is about to get upgraded.
