Author_Institution :
Dept. of Space Phys. & Astron., Rice Univ., Houston, TX, USA
Abstract :
In his essay entitled “Communication and Navigation” (see Proc. IRE, vol.49, p.592, 1961), H. Busignies foresaw booming businesses in each field leading up to 2012. His visions have been largely fulfilled earlier than he expected, which is typical of forecasting the future. He envisioned satellite communication, worldwide electronic mail, waveguides at optical frequencies (fiber optics), newspapers and magazines without paper, hand-carried wireless radio, all-weather flying, and anti-collision systems for aircraft-a remarkable list from a remarkable engineer. The author expands on his list, makes some comments on his essay, and then tries to look beyond 2012
Keywords :
cellular radio; electronic mail; electronic publishing; optical fibres; satellite communication; technological forecasting; 2012 AD; Busignies vision; aircraft; all-weather flying; anti-collision systems; communications; fiber optics; hand-carried wireless radio; navigation; newspapers; optical frequencies; satellite communication; technological forecasting; waveguides; worldwide electronic mail; Aircraft navigation; Electronic mail; Global Positioning System; Humans; Optical fibers; Optical waveguides; Satellite communication; Spaceborne radar; TV; Wrist;
