Brave New Universe

While the American Chemical Society was getting ready for its 75th birthday party in Manhattan next week, some of its members were already thinking about the 75 years ahead. For the diamond jubilee issue of Chemical and Engineering News, they described a brave new universe where every home will have two-way wireless, space ships will circle the moon (see below) and the scientists will inherit the earth. Among the wonders the citizen of 2026 will take for granted:

P: Atomic-powered furnaces, refrigerators and other household appliances.

P: Man-made weather to suit any taste.

P: Cures or preventives for infantile paralysis, mental ills and the common cold.

P: An accumulation of scientific knowledge so great that it will require thousands of workers just to service the machines that will keep the records and search for further information.

But in the next three-quarters of a century, predicted the chemists, some things will be just the same. At least one of the prophets could not bring himself to look beyond 1976. After that, said he, "anything can happen."

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