Why do the technologies of tomorrow always seem just out of reach? Discover the surprising history behind the future and what it really takes for innovation to become reality.

From flying cars, driverless vehicles and hyperloops to smart cities, bionic humans and futuristic transportation, we've spent decades imagining a world transformed by breakthrough technology. But why do these revolutionary ideas always seem to remain just beyond our grasp?

In The Long History of the Future, acclaimed technology journalist Nicole Kobie uncovers the fascinating stories behind the innovations that promised to change the world. Through the lives of visionary scientists, pioneering engineers and bold inventors, she reveals why even the most brilliant ideas often take decades or centuries to become practical, affordable and widely adopted.

Blending the history of technology, science, engineering and innovation with compelling storytelling, Kobie explores how ambitious inventions evolve through countless setbacks, breakthroughs and unexpected twists. From autonomous vehicles and urban innovation to high-speed transport, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, she explains why the future rarely arrives exactly as imagined and why reality is often even more transformative.

Insightful, entertaining and deeply researched, The Long History of the Future challenges our assumptions about technological progress and offers a fresh perspective on the inventions shaping the twenty-first century. It is an essential read for anyone curious about how innovation happens, why technological revolutions take time and what the future may truly hold.

Perfect for readers interested in technology, innovation, science, artificial intelligence, engineering, futurism, transportation, urban planning, digital transformation, emerging technologies, popular science and the history of invention, this thought-provoking book explains why tomorrow's world is built on the lessons of yesterday.

• Explores the real history behind flying cars, smart cities, hyperloops, autonomous vehicles and other futuristic technologies.
• Reveals why breakthrough innovations often take far longer to become reality than expected.
• Combines technology history, science and innovation with engaging storytelling and real-world examples.
• Ideal for readers of popular science, futurism, engineering, AI, innovation and emerging technology.