The data paper for Techno-Optimism Archive is now published! All the data from the archive are publicly available on Zenodo, regularly updated, and open for research and other uses. For anyone interested in the methodological nerdy details, the paper explains everything. (all links in the comment)

1917 Title: The Safe and Useful Aeroplane. An Interview With Orville Wright Publication: Harper’s Magazine "I really believe,” he said, "that the aeroplane will help peace in more ways than one—in particular I think it will have a tendency to make war impossible.”

Really enjoyed this conversation with @krystianlukasik.bsky.social about the Techno-Optimism Archive, which I can highly recommend as a reminder that hype around the new is anything but new youtu.be/XaTo-5Z7Ga0 @technooptimismarch.bsky.social

We've always wanted tech to bring us together

YouTube video by Tech Gets Real

youtu.be

Had a great conversation with @superglaze.eurosky.social on Tech Gets Real about my archive of techno-optimism. Thanks for having me! For Polish listeners, I’ll also be on Radio TOK FM this Monday. And I’m very happy that the archive reached 10,000 visits in its first two weeks!

David Meyer@superglaze.eurosky.social · 3mo ago

Really enjoyed this conversation with @krystianlukasik.bsky.social about the Techno-Optimism Archive, which I can highly recommend as a reminder that hype around the new is anything but new youtu.be/XaTo-5Z7Ga0 @technooptimismarch.bsky.social

1946 How Will Television Handle the News? "...television will be the supreme unchallenged news reporting medium. It will bring the world to the world in a fashion that promises fulfillment of the hopes for international understanding, tolerance and peace." technooptimism.org/archive/tele...

1997 "Internet would do no less than bring world peace by breaking down national borders" Title: Negroponte: Internet is way to world peace Publication: Reuters Source: technooptimism.org/archive/inte...

In the early 20th century, the telephone was advertised as a cure for loneliness - especially for rural women. Bit ironic today, given the links we now draw between phones and loneliness.

(1965) “Many scientists hope that in time the computer will allow man to return to the Hellenic concept of leisure, in which the Greeks had time to cultivate their minds and improve their environment while slaves did all the labor. The slaves, in modern Hellenism, would be the computers.”

(1932) Title: Radio Assures Peace. Observers Belive Pen-Tode to Prove Mightier Than Sword Publication: Radio Guide

New technologies have long been expected to solve social problems. In the 19th century, the telegraph was sold as a way to end war by reducing misunderstanding between nations. Today we are launching Techno-Optimism Archive, which collects historical press materials documenting old tech promises

(1921) “the automobile supplies happiness, fresh air, health, transportation” Title: Birmingham and Automobiles Publication: The Birmingham Age-Herald

(1858) “It is impossible that old prejudices and hostilities should longer exist, while such an instrument has been created" Title: The Science of Telegraphing — Its Inception and Progress — Gradual Development and Perfection Publication: The Story of the Telegraph

(1932) Title: Radio Assures Peace. Observers Belive Pen-Tode to Prove Mightier Than Sword Publication: Radio Guide