Human beings are always looking ahead. Whether it’s trying to determine what the weather will look like next Sunday or imagining what capabilities cell phones will have in 20 years, we love predicting the future. And while our assumptions about what’s to come aren’t always accurate, they definitely are entertaining!

We’ve taken a trip to the RetroFuturism subreddit and gathered some of our favorite images from the group that might simultaneously transport you to the past and future. Enjoy scrolling through these depictions of what people several decades ago imagined our lives to be like, and be sure to upvote the posts you find most fascinating!

#1 Statue Of Yuri Gagarin In Moscow, Completed In 1980

Image credits: Drt-Spawn

#2 1984 Smart Watch

Image credits: wooly_mastodon

#3 1955 Ford Beatnik Bubble

Image credits: Oculus_Orbus

The RetroFuturism subreddit is one of the largest communities on the platform, with over 986k members. The group describes itself as “for the fantastic, delusional dreams of our past,” and it has clearly amassed a huge following of people who are fascinated by the future and what those before us thought of it. 

“This subreddit focuses on the futurist visions of eras past,” the moderators write. “However posts may also contain contemporary art with a retrofuturist theme. Futurism was born out of humanity's sudden thrust into technological revolution. To the many that witnessed the dramatic, rapid change, it seemed a technological utopia was fast approaching. This unbridled optimism caused the collective imagination to run wild.”

#4 Space Resort

Image credits: dungen123

#5 Steering Wheel/Dashboard For The 1986 Oldsmobile Inca Concept Car

Image credits: 5_Frog_Margin

#6 Receptionist Waits At Her Desk. General Motors Technical Center, 1965

Image credits: getyourrealfakedoors

According to Aesthetics Wiki, retrofuturism “is a movement in the creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era.” This style can be achieved by blending futuristic technology with the styles of previous decades, but it can also include futuristic aesthetics that don’t quite align with what most of us expect the future to look like.

For example, steampunk, dieselpunk, atompunk, raygun gothic, cyberpunk and cybercore images might fall under the umbrella of retrofuturism as well. And if you’re looking for media that might help you better understand the vibe retrofuturism is going for, you might want to check out Back to the Future Part II, The Star Trek series, Metropolis, Robots, Forbidden Planet, Captain America: The First Avenger, and the upcoming Fantastic Four film.

#7 The Motorola Aura Really Feels Like The Retrofuturism Dream Phone

Image credits: Zriana

#8 Gas Station In Germany 1958

Image credits: DaMirage

#9 Interior Of The A 1985 Nissan 300zx

Image credits: BambiKilla420

As far as where retrofuturism comes from, DepositPhotos reports that the term was coined in the 1980s by journalists trying to accurately describe custom designer jewelry. But just because we didn’t have a name for this style before then does not mean it didn’t exist. Graphic novels from the 1930s to the 1960s, including Captain Future and Space Man, were inspired by Jules Verne’s books that utilized both futuristic and retro themes at the same time.  

#10 Time, 1968, Race For The Moon Cover Art

Image credits: jaykirsch

#11 Sanae Iv, South African Antarctic Base (Built In 1997)

Image credits: simulation_goer

#12 A Vision Of Future Computing By Robert Tinney In 1981

Image credits: reddit.com

DepositPhotos notes that there are six key design features that are the trademarks of retrofuturism. First, there must be recognizable aesthetics from the past, which might be home designs or fashion. There should also be a nostalgic vibe. Next, retrofuturism needs to incorporate an emphasis on engineering, science and technology. There should also be a radical view of the future, whether that’s good or bad. And finally, retrofuturistic fonts, backgrounds and colors should be utilized. 

#13 Concept "Superplane"

Image credits: kingsaw100

#14 Information Desk Inside The Twa Terminal, Circa 1962

Image credits: RyanSmith

#15 VR In 1989

Image credits: ashe101ashe

EnvatoElements also published a piece discussing retrofuturism, and they noted that the style appeals to so many of us because it perfectly blends the warm feeling of nostalgia that we love with our fascination about the future. Films, books and TV shows have been predicting the future for decades, but we love looking back on the “good old days” as well. So why not do both at the same time? Imagine if you were a high schoolers in the 1980s could post on TikTok! I for one would love to see what they would share. 

#16 The Unfinished Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea, Designed In 1987

Image credits: reddit.com

#17 1958 Golden Sahara II W/ Goodyear Illuminated Neothane Glow Tires

Image credits: ashe101ashe

#18 Sublime 1969 Blaupunkt Pop 70 Sound System

Image credits: butterflypoo69

If you’re looking for ways to utilize retrofuturism into your own designs, EnvatoElements recommends starting with retrowave landscapes, images of cyber cities, neon vaporwave loops and lots of grids. Fonts are extremely important as well, as a futuristic cyberpunk font will be necessary to create the vibe you’re looking for. Be sure to add in holographic elements too to really sell the retrofuturism look. And if you can, be sure to add some 80s synth music as well. 

#19 I Feel Like This Fits Here

Image credits: MycoProTeam

#20 Aston Martin Bulldog Concept (1980). Cybertruck Anyone?

Image credits: madribby78

#21 Beautifully Styled Gas Station In Slovakia

Image credits: HairySquid68

Countere notes that artist Robert McCall is considered to be a giant when it comes to retrofuturism. On the topic, McCall says, “Today we live in a world filled with awesome possibilities, both good and bad. The rush of technology is so rapid, to stay abreast of it has become more and more difficult. Our understanding of the physical universe continues to grow and astonishes us with its marvelous complexity.”

#22 Old Diving Suits Are So Cool

Image credits: BroozeCampbell

#23 ???

Image credits: Bihari_babu

#24 We All Live In A Yellow Airplane

Image credits: earthmoonsun

“To be an artist in these times of explosive change is, for me, a privilege and a challenge,” Robert McCall says. “My goal is to document in my drawings and paintings a small part of this changing world and to anticipate in my work, the future that lies ahead.”

What’s fascinating about retrofuturism is that there will always be more of it. We will never know how accurate our predictions about the future are until future generations look back on them. What you’re writing about or watching today might one day be seen as a sparkling example of retrofuturism!

#25 Television Newspaper - Some Day You May Be Able To Receive The Front Page Of Your Morning Newspaper This Way

Image credits: dabderax

#26 Habitable Space Station

Image credits: tapoutmb

#27 The Nuclear-Powered Bullet Train From The 1970's Series "Supertrain"

Image credits: RyanSmith

We hope you’re enjoying these photos that might somehow give you a blast from the past and the future, pandas! Keep upvoting the pics you find most fascinating, and let us know in the comments below what you expect the future to look like. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another article from Bored Panda featuring retrofuturism, look no further than right here!

#28 Self Driving Cars Of The Future, Circa 1960

Image credits: abt137

#29 Nuke-Proof Underground City Below Manhattan, 1969 (Oscar Newman)

Image credits: earthmoonsun

#30 Worst Space Suit Design Ever?

Image credits: captainmagictrousers

#31 This "Convenient" Kitchen From '74

Image credits: DogWhistlersMother

#32 'ship's Cat' By Keith Spangle

Image credits: jaykirsch

#33 The Missle, Time Magazine, January 1956

Image credits: jzilla1995

#34 James Bond Receives A "Text" Via His Smartwatch In The Spy Who Loved Me

Image credits: malakeos

#35 This Building In Newyawk'

Image credits: RyomaNagare

#36 We Really Messed Up

Image credits: The_qp_god

#37 Citroen's Vision Of The Future Of Cars In 1980

Image credits: gtam

#38 This Was An Actual Space Suit Grumman Aircraft Corp Tried To Sell Nasa In 1962

Image credits: Novusod

#39 A Vestige Of The Past

Image credits: The_Cow_God

#40 Himiko, Tokyo's Futuristic And Manga-Like Ferry Boat

Image credits: symlink

#41 My Grandfather Was An Artist For General Motors From 1950's To 1980's, Here Are Some Of His Concepts For Cars Of The Future

Image credits: That_Martian_Man

#42 Virtual Reality, 90's Perspective

Image credits: ilikelegoandcrackers

#43 Nailed It

Image credits: paschalswindle

#44 Transhumanism (With Added Sixth Finger). Oil By Me

Image credits: pavlokandyba

#45 The Future We Were Promised

Image credits: PapaP123

#46 1985 Subaru Xt Coupe Dash

Image credits: therealjackyoung

#47 Lancia Stratos Zero, 1970

Image credits: PapaP123

#48 1940s Vision Of Food Delivery Future

Image credits: abdouhlili

#49 The Communist Party Headquarters In Paris (Architect: Oscar Niemeyer)

Image credits: earthmoonsun

#50 Vintage Retro Computer Alien Design 1955, By Panalina

Image credits: ashe101ashe

#51 Monument To The Conquerors Of Space, Moscow, Russia (1964)

Image credits: reddit.com

#52 Mcdonald’s In Roswell, Nm

Image credits: miguelogin

#53 The Bright Side Of Atomic Energy

Image credits: alexalex99000

#54 Kuba Komet, Futuristic Home Entertainment Center From West Germany, Late 50's

Image credits: jaykirsch

#55 (Soviet Modernism) The Georgian Ministry Of Highway Construction In Tbilisi, Georgia. Built In 1975

Image credits: reddit.com

#56 New York Central Streamliner “ Mercury “ 1936

Image credits: blcknoir

#57 Cosplay Metropolis

Image credits: Galimesh

#58 I Got A Tattoo Inspired By Danny Haas’ Retro Rocket Ships

Image credits: boilons

#59 Wallpaper Found Under 3 Layers Of Other Wallpaper

Image credits: IsThisNameValid

#60 Artoo Deco

Image credits: firstorbit

#61 Bob Must Have Slack!

Image credits: A-No-1

#62 Trans-Atlantic Cable Car Retro-Future Concept By Gian Andri Bezzola

Image credits: jaykirsch

#63 This 14” TV From 2000 Was Sold Only In Japan And Included A Built-In Sega Dreamcast Console

Image credits: KeenlySting

#64 Look Who Pulled Up Next To Me At A Red Light Last Night

Image credits: strapping_young_vlad

#65 From The Paper Age To The Digital Age (Andy Zito ‘85)

Image credits: Donna201299

#66 Retro Futuristic Living Room I Painted

Image credits: pizza_chode

#67 As Someone Who Lived In A Post-Socialist Country This Is Highly Disturbing

Image credits: somesz

#68 Pixar's Wall-E Had Some Great Retrofuturistic Style Posters For Its Promotional Content

Image credits: Monmonstar

#69 This Traffic Control Cabin Seems Oddly Futuristic. 1970s, Chernivtsi

Image credits: Megabyte0101

#70 Interplanetary Tourism Posters/Ads

Image credits: The_qp_god

#71 The Fuji TV Headquarters In Japan

Image credits: Clickclack999

#72 What Nissan Thought Would Be The Future Of The Automotive Industry Shown In The Nrv-II Concept Car(1982). Pretty Damn Accurate

Image credits: bardia_afk

#73 1985 Future "Ender's Game" By John Harris

Image credits: jaykirsch

#74 I Was Told This Belongs Here. The Rocketeer Pack And Helmet I Built

Image credits: CaptainAwwsum

#75 1980s Soviet Laptop Prototype

Image credits: trorez

#76 Facetime In The 1930s

Image credits: benwilsxn

#77 The Toronto Reference Library

Image credits: Tatsunen

#78 Old Twa Terminal At Jfk

Image credits: Dare_Famous

#79 Can't Say She Wasn't Right (1982)

Image credits: DeadInsideOutside

#80 Monsanto House Of The Future 1957

Image credits: graemebo

#81 Obviously Their Second Car

Image credits: RonaldMcD