“The Simpsons” is a popular TV show that has been on the air for over 30 years. Throughout its run, the show has featured numerous storylines that have become fan favorites, including several that involved technology. While many of these tech-related episodes were intended as satire or parody, some of the ideas presented in the show have since become reality. In this article, we will explore five Simpsons predictions that became real technology.
Smart Watches
In the season six episode “Lisa’s Wedding,” which aired in 1995, we see Lisa’s fiancé wearing a smartwatch that can make phone calls, check email, and play music. At the time, this concept was still a futuristic dream, but fast-forward to the present day, and we now have a plethora of smartwatch brands and models on the market that can do all of those things and more. For example, the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit Versa are all popular smartwatches that offer features similar to what was shown in “Lisa’s Wedding.”
Video Calls
In the season two episode “Lisa’s Substitute,” which aired in 1991, Lisa’s class communicates with a substitute teacher via video call. At the time, this technology was not yet possible, but with the advent of webcam technology and internet communication tools like Skype and Zoom, video calls have become commonplace in the 21st century. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, video calls have become a vital tool for remote work and social distancing.
Autocorrect
In the season six episode “Bart’s Girlfriend,” which aired in 1994, Bart writes a love letter to his crush, but the message is garbled and nonsensical due to the use of an early version of autocorrect software. Today, we take autocorrect for granted, as it is a standard feature of most smartphones and computers, helping us type faster and more accurately.
Smart Homes
In the season 11 episode “Beyond Blunderdome,” which aired in 1999, the Simpsons visit a movie studio where they encounter a futuristic smart home that can be controlled by voice commands. While this may have seemed like science fiction at the time, today, smart homes are becoming more common. Devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod allow us to control various aspects of our homes, such as lighting, temperature, and security, with voice commands.
Face Recognition
In the season six episode “And Maggie Makes Three,” which aired in 1995, Homer visits a plant security office and is captured by a face recognition system that mistakes him for a wanted criminal. Although face recognition technology was in its infancy in the 1990s, it has since advanced rapidly and is now used for various purposes. For example, it is used to unlock smartphones, identify suspects in criminal investigations, and monitor public spaces for security purposes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Simpsons” has been a show that has entertained audiences for over three decades with its humorous takes on modern life. However, it has also inadvertently predicted the future of technology with its storylines. The smartwatch, video calls, autocorrect, smart homes, and face recognition are just a few examples of technologies that have become a reality, even though they were once considered science fiction. It is interesting to see how a show can have such an impact on popular culture, and it is exciting to think about what other predictions might come true in the future.
