Looking back to look forward: What 1925 can teach us about 2025’s technology trends

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It might not surprise anyone to hear that, as a youngster, I was drawn to electronics and other “nerdy” pursuits. I was fascinated by machinery, later by computers and software, and even earlier, by science (and science-fiction) in general. My least favourite subject at school was history.

But so-called nerdy pursuits have a long tradition in my family: My maternal grandfather was an electrical engineer during an era when electricity was in itself one of the most exciting advancements of the time. He was also a talented writer and actor who rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest names in 20th century culture. As something of a renaissance man, he would not have seen himself as a nerd. In fact, the concept didn’t even exist. In those days, everyone was fascinated by technology.

One of my favourite family photographs was taken almost exactly 100 years ago. It shows my mother as a toddler, my grandmother holding a headset to her ears while her older sister stands next to her holding her own headset. The children are listening to the faint sounds coming through Bakelite earphones from a crystal radio that my grandfather had built.

My grandfather took that picture. The negative was glass, the highest resolution image that could be created at that time. We still have a case full of those glass negatives. Over time through those photographs and other treasures passed down the generations, I came to understand that a full appreciation of what is going on in the world needs an understanding of history and other humanities.

So, as we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on what the world was like 100 years ago, in 1925. Here’s my little exploration of what the past century of technological progress can teach us about the trends shaping our future.

From crystal radios to AI

In 1925, radio was the cutting-edge technology of the day. For the first time, people could share in live events, hear global news as it happened, and feel connected in ways that were previously impossible. It was transformative, bringing communities together and creating new industries in entertainment and advertising. There was good and bad; the bad guys quickly learned how to drive misinformation and propaganda through the new medium.

In 2025, artificial intelligence is transforming communication on a scale unimaginable a century ago. AI tools are not only creating personalised interactions but are reshaping the very way we create content - from deepfake videos to AI-written articles. The media landscape is more dynamic but also more complex, and just as prone to being exploited by bad actors.

Just as mastering radio transmission paved the way for television and the internet, AI will enable new forms of communication. Augmented and virtual reality could become the next major shift, creating immersive experiences that connect people in ways akin to the radio’s impact in 1925. The key challenge will be maintaining trust and authenticity in an age of AI-generated content.

From rust belt to green belt

In 1925, the industrial age was in full swing, fuelled by coal and oil. This energy powered factories, transport, and economies but also sowed the seeds of environmental challenges we face today.

In 2025, we’re at a turning point in energy, much like 1925, but heading in a different direction. The focus is now on clean and sustainable energy - from solar and wind to emerging energy sources like hydrogen. Maybe one day soon fusion power – always 30 years away – will make its breakthrough. The global push for decarbonisation reflects the same scale of ambition that powered the industrial revolution a century ago.

As green energy takes centre stage, it will spark entirely new industries and business models. The decentralisation of energy—with individuals and communities generating and storing their own power—could be as transformative as industrialisation was in 1925. The companies that innovate in energy storage and smart grid technology will lead the way.

From penicillin to personalised medicine

In 1925, the discovery of penicillin marked the dawn of the antibiotic era, which eventually transformed healthcare and saved millions of lives. In my grandfather’s time people routinely died from diseases that most of us today have never heard of. Advances in drug treatment and other innovations fundamentally changed how we approached healthcare.

In the coming years, healthcare is undergoing another seismic shift. Advances in biotechnology - from CRISPR gene editing to mRNA vaccines - are enabling us to personalise treatments and tackle diseases at the genetic level. AI is playing a key role in diagnosis, drug discovery, and patient care.

Biotechnology combined with AI has the potential to transform the healthcare sector once again for generations to come. We’re moving toward a world where we can prevent diseases before they start and customise treatments for individual patients. But, as with antibiotics in 1925, the ethical and economic challenges of scaling these technologies will define the next phase of healthcare innovation.

From Model T to flying car

In 1925, the automobile was the big game-changer. Mass production, led by pioneers like Henry Ford, made cars more affordable and accessible, opening up unprecedented mobility. Urban centres evolved to accommodate cars, and industries like oil, rubber, and steel thrived. The world became smaller as distances shrank.

In 2025, we’re witnessing another transformation in transportation. All kinds of alternatives to fossil fuels are appearing. Despite the current downturn in their popularity, electric vehicles (EVs) are everywhere, and autonomous driving is rapidly advancing. Companies are not just making cleaner cars but also creating intelligent ones. Meanwhile, drone delivery systems and the first glimpses of flying taxis suggest we’re on the brink of a mobility revolution that could rival the introduction of the automobile. Maybe I’ll finally get my flying car, even if it is controlled by Waymo.

Just as the automobile reshaped cities in the 1920s, the rise of EVs and autonomous technology will transform cities, industries, and daily life. Charging networks are springing up everywhere and the investment in fast chargers being made by major transport brands are a much more accurate signal for the future than popular perceptions. Logistics, supply chains, and urban planning will need to adapt. For organisations, the challenge is clear: those that embrace and integrate these technologies will thrive.

Looking back to look forward

The world of 100 years ago is not as different as we’d like to think. We remain human, and despite enormous progress have yet to solve all of the problems of being human.

The similarities between 1925 and 2025 are striking. Both eras are defined by disruptive technologies that reshaped industries and societies. Looking back, we see how these transformations played out - often in unexpectedly positive ways. History shows us that while technology often solves existing problems, it also creates new challenges and opportunities.

The lesson from 1925 is clear: those who embrace change and adapt to emerging technologies thrive. In 2025, businesses and leaders must ask themselves: are we preparing for what’s next, or are we waiting to be disrupted?

To paraphrase Mark Twain history may not always repeat itself, but it rhymes. By understanding the patterns of the past, we can navigate the future with greater clarity and purpose.

Thanks to Anil Kunjunny (風男) whose post got me thinking.

Happy New Year to all my followers and contacts.

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