The shape of futures past: The story of prediction

Plot

A witty and perceptive guide to the futures that our forefathers created for themselves-some ludicrously implausible, others chillingly accurate. Daring cosmonauts will travel through the Sun by airship The first-expedition to Venus will discover that at least the natives speak English ...Commuters will travel to and from work by means of electrically powered roller skates ... Man will discover the secret energy locked up in the atom and at once use it for purposes of war .