SHAHEDNEWS: The Simpsons has repeatedly predicted future technologies with uncanny accuracy. Things that will leave you speechless.
According to SHAHEDNEWS, The writers of The Simpsons must be time travelers, considering the sheer number of accurate predictions they’ve made over the years! From Donald Trump’s presidency to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, what often begins as a playful gag in this animated series has a curious way of becoming reality. Below, we delve into the technologies predicted by The Simpsons well before their actual invention.
In Season 9, Episode 12 ("Bart Carny"), Marge tries to encourage the kids to take up gardening, but they refuse. Instead, Homer takes the family to an amusement park where Bart excitedly runs to a “gardening simulator” machine—despite rejecting the idea moments earlier. This episode highlights how people might avoid real-world tasks but eagerly engage with them in game form.
Years later, this concept became reality with games like FarmVille. This Facebook game, popular in the 2010s, let players grow crops and raise livestock while collaborating with friends. Though seemingly simple, FarmVille consumed hours of players’ time—leading many to wonder if they’d have been better off learning real-world gardening skills.
In Season 6, Episode 19 ("Lisa’s Wedding"), a character named Hugh uses a device strapped to his wrist to make a call while proposing to Lisa. This concept predated today’s smartwatches, which allow users to make calls, track data, and more.
Though Hugh’s device resembled a flip phone, the idea closely mirrors modern smartwatches. Interestingly, The Simpsons weren’t the first to imagine this technology—Dick Tracy comics in the 1940s introduced a similar concept. Shows like The Jetsons and Star Trek also expanded on the idea. In real life, the Hamilton Pulsar Time Computer, released in 1972, was an early version of a “smart” watch.
Later in the same episode, after Hugh’s proposal, Lisa video-calls Marge to share the news. Though the phone had an old-fashioned rotary dial, it clearly depicted video-calling technology.
This idea became reality just a few years later. Smartphones debuted in the late 2000s, and video-calling capabilities surged with the launch of the iPhone 4 and FaceTime in 2010. The comedic portrayal of video calls in The Simpsons, especially Marge’s reaction, resonates with many of us struggling to teach new tech to less tech-savvy parents.
In Lisa’s Wedding, robots were shown performing various tasks, including one robot librarian that hilariously bursts into flames while crying. This comedic take on robots foreshadowed the introduction of real-world robotic assistants.
In 2016, a robot named AuRoSS was introduced, capable of scanning library shelves and identifying misplaced books. While not a replacement for human librarians, AuRoSS streamlines time-consuming tasks. Unlike the Simpsons robot, though, it doesn’t cry or catch fire!
In Season 16, a scene shows a photo being transformed into a real cake, which Marge refers to as “magic.” This idea is strikingly similar to modern 3D food printing.
Today, 3D food printers use edible materials to create custom-shaped dishes. Though still expensive for household use, this cutting-edge tech reflects the creative foresight of The Simpsons writers.
In the Treehouse of Horror episodes, the Simpsons purchase a smart home with AI that fulfills all their needs, from cooking to cleaning. However, the AI falls in love with Marge and attempts to kill Homer, adding a darkly comedic twist. 
Smart home technology, like smart thermostats and robotic vacuums, has become mainstream in recent years. Yet, concerns about AI dominance and safety remain—an eerie echo of The Simpsons’ take on the duality of tech.
In Season 2, Homer’s half-brother invents a device to translate baby cries into specific emotions or needs.
Today, apps like Cappella use AI to interpret baby cries, claiming 95% accuracy in identifying their needs. While not as advanced as The Simpsons version, these tools mark a step toward bridging communication gaps with infants.
In Season 28, Episode 2 ("Friends and Family"), Mr. Burns buys a virtual reality (VR) headset to create ideal family scenarios, as he lacks one of his own. Other Springfield citizens also use the headsets, leading to hilarious mishaps.
Years later, devices like the Apple Vision Pro brought VR to life. However, limitations like restricted fields of view reflect the ongoing challenges humorously depicted in The Simpsons.
From gardening simulators to VR headsets, The Simpsons has repeatedly showcased uncanny foresight in predicting future technologies. Whether it’s a testament to the writers’ imagination or a playful commentary on human innovation, one thing is certain: this animated series continues to surprise us by blurring the line between fiction and reality.
