American Futurism in the Atomic Era

Futurism by Theme: Transportation

          Communication and transportation are intrinsically linked when discussing futurism in the mid-twentieth century. New highway systems, middle class migration to suburban centers, affordable automobiles, and passenger aircraft assisted in transportation. Future studies historians often equate the increase in transportation methods to the concept that space is minimized on a relative scale (see figure 44 for example of how space travel advances would allow humans to take control of time and physical spaces). That idea heavily played into the marketing which would later assist in the promotion of realistic and accessible space travel, despite the science explaining otherwise. Consumer culture aided in businesses embracing futurism in marketing by pushing contemporary technologies with messages that promoted the next great products around the corner (see figure 45 for example of how energy industries utilized futurism to gain support for their business).  Advertised vehicle designs were often depicted with futurist themes that reflected rocket technology more than the actual products on the market (see clip 06, “Wonderful New World of Fords,” below, for example of how car manufacturers juxtaposed their new products with space and futurist themes). 

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