about

This archive collects historical examples of technological optimism. It focuses on the hopes, promises, and predictions that once surrounded new technologies. Moments when people believed that the right invention could solve the world’s problems.

The archive is not meant to be pessimistic about technology. It simply shows how easily new technologies become attached to expectations that reach far beyond what technology can actually do.

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This is a non-profit, educational project. The excerpts are drawn from historical periodicals, primarily accessed through public digital archives. If you intend to use these materials for research purposes, please cite the archive.

Unless otherwise noted, original text on this site is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Archival materials are either in the public domain or presented here in reliance on fair use and/or quotation exceptions. If you are the copyright holder of any content featured here and would like it removed, you may contact us.

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To contribute a clipping or get in touch
email: technooptimism.archive@gmail.com

Techno-Optimism Archive is created and curated by Krystian Łukasik.