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The future is unpredictable, but that hasn’t stopped people from making bold claims about what’s to come. From failed technology predictions to outrageous statements about culture and society, some of these guesses aged so poorly, they’re laughable today. 

Today, the Bored Panda team scoured the internet to find exactly that. Whether it’s outdated scientific forecasts or overconfident business takes, these moments prove that even the smartest minds can get it wrong. Keep reading to see some of the worst predictions that didn’t stand the test of time!

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    While many of us joke about what the future holds, there are people who take it very seriously—and even make a career out of it. Whether it’s astrologers, fortune tellers, or numerologists, predicting the future has fascinated humanity for centuries.

    Some people swear by it, while others remain skeptical, but there’s no denying that astrology has remained a part of cultures worldwide.

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    Astrology is based on the belief that planetary movements and positions influence human behavior and events on Earth. It’s a practice that has been studied and refined over thousands of years, with different schools of thought emerging across the world. While some see it as a science of the stars, others view it as a guiding tool for self-awareness and decision-making.

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    #9

    An Old "Helpful" Tip In A Magazine

    Hand holding a battery over a fireplace. An outdated and hazardous practice. Future predictions aged bad.

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    To gain a deeper understanding, Bored Panda spoke with Acharya Anju Agarwal, a MahaVastu consultant and expert in Vaastu & Astrology, who provides both home and online consultations from Mumbai, India.

    With years of experience, she helps people understand how astrology influences various aspects of their lives—from relationships to career choices.

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    #11

    "There Is No Reason Anyone Would Want A Computer In Their Home." --Ken Olson, President, Chain-Nan And Founder Of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

    A tabby cat on a table curiously looking at an open laptop, illustrating future predictions aged bad.

    phys.ufl.edu , Joao Jesus Report

    #12

    ‘King Charles & Queen Diana’ - Well This One Tops The Cake

    Illustration of an imagined future prediction aged bad, depicting a man and woman in royal attire.

    A prediction of the future about Prince Charles and Lady Diana from a 1992 royal magazine.

    Cedarbush Report

    “An astrological chart is a wheel divided into 12 zodiac signs, which correspond to 12 different houses—each representing a specific area of life,” Acharya Anju explained.

    “These houses are influenced by planetary placements, and the interactions between these planets shape a person’s unique astrological profile.”

    #13

    "Everything That Can Be Invented Has Been Invented." - Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office Of Patents, 1899

    Scientists in lab coats examining test tubes, illustrating future predictions aged bad.

    humanscience.fandom.com , cottonbro studio Report

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    CA Hyde
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Way to give up Charles, good thing we weren't all quitters like you!

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    #14

    Well This Didn’t Age Well

    T-shirt with text "Skateboarding is a Crime, Not an Olympic Sport" over Olympic rings. Future predictions aged bad.

    zedzuuzaaa Report

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    Chihuahua Mama
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This has 'grouchy old person who shakes fist at young hooligans' written all over

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    #15

    "If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one." - W.C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, 1954

    Person lighting a cigarette with a lighter, smoke rising; a prediction that aged badly.

    humanscience.fandom.com , lil artsy Report

    Over the centuries, astrologers have studied these planetary movements and developed interpretations that range from understanding individual personalities to analyzing world events. “There are different branches of astrology,” she shared.

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    “Like the branches of a tree, they all stem from the same core but take different directions—some focus on personal traits, while others predict larger events in politics, economics, or natural disasters.”

    #16

    "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." - A memo at Western Union, 1878 (or 1876).

    Retro rotary phone on textured brown mat, representing future predictions aged bad.

    humanscience.fandom.com , Leah Newhouse Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of a Little House On The Prairie episode, when Walnut Grove got a telephone line. All calls had to go through the switchboard, that happened to be in the nosey Mrs. Oleson, who ended up using the switchboard lines to eavesdrop on people's phone calls.

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    #17

    "A Rocket Will Never Be Able To Leave The Earth's Atmosphere." New York Times, 1936

    A space shuttle launching amidst clouds of smoke, illustrating predictions aged badly.

    humanscience.fandom.com , Pixabay Report

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    TotallyNOTAFox
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Werner von Braun: Halt mal mein Bier (The Aggregat 4 "V2" was the first man made rocket do reach space in WW2)

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    So how does astrology actually work? “It’s all about the alignment of celestial bodies at a given time,” she explained. “Your birth chart, for instance, is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment and location of your birth. It’s like your cosmic blueprint, revealing your strengths, challenges, and tendencies.”

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    Astrology isn’t one-size-fits-all—there are different types, each offering a unique perspective. Some focus on personal insight, while others examine broader societal changes. “For example, mundane astrology is used to predict global events, while medical astrology looks at health patterns based on planetary alignments,” she added.

    #19

    Sorry Man

    Comment from 2007 predicting problems with touchscreen phones, showcasing future predictions aged bad.

    l-am-Not-Me Report

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    JL
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jeff, can you post a follow-up? I'd like to know what problems I'll be running into.

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    #20

    Welp, This Aged Like Milk Now, Didn’t It?

    Future predictions aged bad with old Netflix tweet on password sharing contrasted with new policy.

    1Hate17Here Report

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    #21

    Not Sure Why He Deleted This Comment From November?

    Screenshot of a comment addressing predictions of mass deportations, indicating they are delusional.

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    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    New job openings coming soon for MAGAs: requires working long hard days in the sun harvesting our fruit and vegetables for less than minimum wage.

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    One of the most common types is natal astrology, which revolves around an individual’s birth chart. “It highlights everything from career tendencies to relationship dynamics,” Acharya Anju said. “Then there’s relationship astrology, which compares two or more birth charts to analyze compatibility and connection between individuals.”

    Of course, astrology has its fair share of critics. “Some people believe in it deeply, while others dismiss it as pure superstition,” she admitted. “And that’s completely fine—everyone has the right to their own beliefs.”

    #22

    This Meme I Sent To A Friend On 21/12/19

    Person in plague doctor costume sitting at table with humorous sign, reflecting on bad future predictions.

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We need a better plague, the last one was not discerning or virulent enough

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    #23

    They Had To End Him In The End

    Actors from Breaking Bad sitting around a table, with a comment predicting the show’s failure; an example of predictions aged bad.

    s1nur Report

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    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course, fans know he was chosen BECAUSE he had played a comically inept dad character. Reminds me of what Sir Anthony Hopkins said about being cast as Hannibal Lector. The director told him it was because of his performance as Dr Treves in The Elephant Man. Hopkins said "but Treves is a good man" and was told "yeah, that's what I want for Lector; a good man locked in an insane mind". And boy did it ever pay off.

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    #24

    There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. Steve Ballmer, USA Today, April 30, 2007.

    Smartphone with apps displayed, touching screen; concept of future predictions aged bad.

    wikiquote.org , cottonbro studio Report

    “We don’t claim to be God,” she emphasized. “Astrology isn’t about controlling fate, but rather understanding patterns and tendencies. It’s meant to offer guidance, not definitive answers.”

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    Regardless of where you stand on the subject, there’s no denying that astrology continues to intrigue millions of people. Whether you check your horoscope daily or roll your eyes at the idea of Mercury Retrograde ruining your week, it’s a practice that’s deeply rooted in history and human curiosity.

    #27

    "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." - Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

    A baby in a blue shirt typing on a laptop, symbolizing humorous future predictions aged bad.

    Pixabay , phys.ufl.edu Report

    While the people in these posts aren’t professional astrologers, they certainly made some bold predictions—some eerily accurate, others wildly off the mark.

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    Whether you’re a believer in the stars or just enjoy a good laugh at how things turn out, these predictions prove that the future is always full of surprises. Which one did you find the most peculiar? Let us know!

    #28

    It will be gone by June.- Variety, passing judgement on rock 'n roll in 1955

    Guitarist in a leather jacket performing onstage, embodying a retro rock scene with lively stage lights.

    humanscience.fandom.com , Yan Krukau Report

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    Ty Stratton-Quirk
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, they just said June, and didn't specify what year. Maybe in a few centuries, they'll be proven right?

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    #29

    Guy Regrets A Financial Decision

    Tweet about Bitcoin illustrates bad future predictions.

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    Corvus
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't regret... the future is uncertain, and bitcoin may well turn out to be a bubble waiting to bursts at some point.

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    #30

    An Old Memory Of Mine... Don't Ask Me For Any Future Advice

    Social media post predicting FaceTime's failure, highlighting future predictions aged badly.

    wrpg Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He does have a point. No one wants to call. No one even wants to face time.

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    #31

    "There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now; All that remains is more and more precise measurement." - Lord Kelvin, speaking to the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1900

    Person writing complex equations on a whiteboard, illustrating future predictions aged badly.

    humanscience.fandom.com , RF._.studio Report

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    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lord kelvin was a previous incarnation of Trump, im sure of it.

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    #32

    “Movies are a fad. Audiences really want to see live actors on a stage.” - Charlie Chaplin

    People watching a movie scene with shoes on a dirt floor in a cinema; prediction-themed film.

    goodreads , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    Corvus
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, theater is still around, so the demand for live actors on stage has not disappeared. But neither have movies.

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    #33

    Comments About Computers From Long Ago

    Magazine page highlighting failed future predictions with quotes from IBM, Decca, and others.

    reddit.com Report

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    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That article down the bottom about the kid who got struck by lightning made me chuckle.

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    #35

    Prediction From 1913

    Illustration from a vintage article with a future prediction aged bad about how babies might look in 2012.

    usa2z Report

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    Wondering Alice
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like he is blaming it on rich women not wanting babies and poor women becoming factory workers. Would be nice to think the article is trying to provoke a debate on why women were making these 'choices' but I suspect it's just blaming us.

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    Note: this post originally had 96images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.