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Future Perfect: Vintage Futuristic Graphics
Images of the future envisioned through advertisements, illustrations, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, and Science Illustrated magazine covers.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 13, 2026
This book proves that the 50s vision of the future wasn't just a cartoon—it was real. It mostly came from science magazines, which had these really cool but wild covers. The one thing I noticed is how absurdly symmetrical everything was. The designs weren't rigid but instead stuck with rounded features on the weirdest flying cars, helicopter boats, and bullet trains. It’s a specific vibe where everything looks like it is moving fast even when it is standing still.
The only thing that came true from that era were the trains and monorails. Those were actually successful because trains are the superior form of transportation. They are objectively easier to use, you don't have to worry about collisions as much, and they carry more people in general. The 50s might have been wrong about the flying cars, but they got the rail systems right.
I also noticed there was a weird emphasis on windows. I understand that they were trying to show what it was like inside these weird mechanisms of technology, but it kind of shows its age. You would never see that in modern design today, which is exactly why it’s so charming. I can't help but like this weird, wacky 50s futuristic style. It is just a vibe. I love the future.
5/5 Stars: Where The Jetsons Got Their Aesthetic
The only thing that came true from that era were the trains and monorails. Those were actually successful because trains are the superior form of transportation. They are objectively easier to use, you don't have to worry about collisions as much, and they carry more people in general. The 50s might have been wrong about the flying cars, but they got the rail systems right.
I also noticed there was a weird emphasis on windows. I understand that they were trying to show what it was like inside these weird mechanisms of technology, but it kind of shows its age. You would never see that in modern design today, which is exactly why it’s so charming. I can't help but like this weird, wacky 50s futuristic style. It is just a vibe. I love the future.
5/5 Stars: Where The Jetsons Got Their Aesthetic
August 8, 2019
Interesante y atractivo libro que nos lleva de viaje hasta un futuro que pudo ser, pero que nunca será. Un mundo art decó que en ocasiones se parece al nuestro, pero que ha quedado para siempre en la fantasía.
La labor de documentación y selección gráfica de Jim Heimann es estupenda, pero reconozco que el tomo sería mejor de contar con textos o artículos sobre lo que se está mostrando.
La labor de documentación y selección gráfica de Jim Heimann es estupenda, pero reconozco que el tomo sería mejor de contar con textos o artículos sobre lo que se está mostrando.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews