The 40th anniversary of HemisFair '68 has us all sorts of nostalgic for the good ol' days of looking forward to a Utopian future.

Think “2001: A Space Odyssey” and old covers of Popular Science — past imaginings of space travel and glittering metropolises with clear monorails, tranquil citizenry and ever-so-helpful robots.
The future that is today? Not so much. But at least Tales of Future Past (davidszondy.com/future/futurepast.htm) takes you back to those bright-eyed dreams of sleeker tomorrows.

TFP is all about retro futurism — past takes on future cities, future cars, future kitchens, future music, future you-name-it.

The site is a lot like watching “Metropolis” and “The Jetsons” on constant loop, which attests to its vastness and, yes, kitsch. TFP's David Szondy jetpacks through the many facets of old futurism with tongue planted firmly in cheek (the better to enjoy those food pills, no less) but heart still worn on his jumpsuit sleeve.

Makes sense since, like an old world's fair, TFP is fun futurism to look back on.

René A. Guzman | 210SA contributor