Back in 1925, Professor Archibald Montgomery Low, an inventive engineer and physicist, dared to imagine what life might look like in 2025. Fast-forward nearly a hundred years, and many of his forward-thinking ideas have materialized in ways that even he might have struggled to believe.
Television and Home Entertainment
Professor Low had a hunch that televisions and home speakers would eventually replace newspapers as the go-to sources for news and entertainment. Considering he worked on an early prototype of television called “TeleVista” in 1914, his prediction wasn’t entirely out of left field. These days, with televisions in virtually every home, his foresight feels spot on.
Escalators and Mobile Communication
Low dreamed up the idea of “moving sidewalks” to help people avoid unnecessary effort—a vision brought to life in the form of escalators and travelators. Even more intriguingly, he talked about “automatic telephones” that would always connect properly. Sound familiar? That idea has evolved into the ubiquitous mobile phones of today, a far cry from the clunky rotary phones of his era.
Modern Conveniences
He also envisioned wireless gadgets taking on tasks like waking us up—optimistically at 9:30 AM! Low even imagined health treatments delivered through “radio light massages.” While we haven’t quite nailed that 9:30 luxury wake-up call, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and light therapy devices aren’t far off. It’s amusing to think that back then, a job still existed for “knocker-uppers,” individuals paid to tap on windows to wake people up.
Renewable Energy and Automation
In an era where wind and tidal energy sounded like science fiction, Low foresaw a future powered by renewables. He also predicted machines taking over physically demanding and unpleasant tasks. Today, his vision echoes through automation, AI, and renewable energy technology—cornerstones of modern industry and sustainability.
A Visionary Ahead of His Time
Professor Low combined wild imagination with scientific prowess, painting a future that remarkably mirrors our world today. His predictions serve as a testament to how far we’ve come—and a reminder of the power of daring to dream.
Source: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/history/2025-predictions
