Inventing the Future

During the summer of 1890, Thomas Edison made plans to write a science fiction novel called Progress. The title was a good one for Edison. As inventor of the light bulb, it's not surprising that he looked forward to a bright future. In fact, he had made a career out of making improvements in people's lives.

Activities

1 Just take a look at this list of inventions:

Edison never finished his science fiction novel. He was better at making progress than writing about it. But looking back at his accomplishments, it's not hard to imagine what kind of story he had to tell. For more about the science behind Thomas Edison’s achievements, and the impact his work had, see the Thinkfinity partner-site Science Netlinks lesson on Thomas Edison for Kids.

2 Now take a look in the other direction, at your future. What inventions since Edison's time are going to change the way we live in the next century? What innovations still to come are going to open up new worlds of possibility? Or does the future seem a darker place from our vantage point than it did when Edison tried to imagine it more than a hundred years ago?

To think about the “future” in a different context entirely, check out the ReadWriteThink literature activity entitled: A Poem of Possibilities: Thinking about the Future.

3 Use this chart to make plans for your own science fiction novel. If you like, first look at this ReadWriteThink handout for a definition of science fiction. Talk with your family and friends about changes they've experienced in all these aspects of our lives and trend-setting developments they see today. Ask what innovations they foresee in each category over the years to come. When you complete your research, come up with a title for your novel that sums up your vision of the future, as the word Progress did for Edison. Then write a paragraph describing the world you see awaiting us in the years ahead.

If you would like to continue your inquiry into science fiction, the Thinkfinity partner-site ReadWriteThink has a number of science fiction reading recommendations for grade levels 6-8, and for grade levels 9-12.

For more about Thomas Edison, and his contributions to science and technology, Edsitement has a four-lesson unit entitled: Thomas Edison’s Inventions in the 1900s and Today: From “New” to You!