18 July 2013

Birthday
Syd Mead b. 1933

Most other great science fiction illustrators are known best for the work they did in the science fiction magazines. While Mead did do some book illustrations, some of his best work is in catalogs from companies like U.S. Steel and Sony, depicting a smooth and shiny future. Regular readers may recall the illustration I nicked from the 1988 Los Angeles Times Magazine I recapped titled L.A. 2013.

In the late 1970s, he started doing posters and design work in movies like the first Star Trek, Blade Runner and Tron. More recent films with his signature look include Johnny Mnemonic and Mission: Impossible III.

Many happy returns to a man who did as much as anyone to give the future a look of hope and glamor.


Movies released
The Dark Knight released, 2008
Jurassic Park III released , 2001  
 

Prediction: In 2010, the nursing facilities in Disneyville in Florida will use nurses that are holograms.

Predictor: Arthur C. Clarke in Odyssey Two, published 1982

Reality: In Clarke's story, the holograms are fairly realistic and one cantankerous old female patient is proud she can tell the difference and plays tricks on the mechanical helpmates. Holographic technology looked like it was going to get cool back about thirty to forty years ago, but the present day uses are on a much more modest scale.

Looking one day ahead... INTO THE FUTURE!

On the subject of future health care, we have a prediction about robotic health care providers from Jaron Lanier's new book Who Owns the Future?
 

Join us then... IN THE FUTURE!