Closer Than We Think! Fat Plants and Meat Beets (1958)

The September 28, 1958 Chicago Tribune ran this Closer Than We Think! strip about meat-plants of the future.

There will be less grazing land in tomorrow's crowded world, so beefsteaks may have to be replaced by extracted vegetable proteins flavored with synthetics that taste like real meat.

According to Cal Tech biologist James Bonner, new varieties of plants, rich in fats and edible proteins will be developed. Interest in this idea is already evidenced at the Michigan Agricultural Board where plans for a "phytotron" - or ultra-controlled greenhouse - are under way. This equipment will facilitate the study of plant characteristics - and show how to modify them.

Bonner also predicted at a recent Seagram scientific symposium that future farms could be operated by tapes fed through master control panels.

See also:
Farm to Market (1958)
Robot Farms (1982)
Superfarm of the Year 2020 (1979)
Farm of the Future (1984)
That Synthetic Food of the Future (Ogden Standard-Examiner, 1926)
Electrified Topsoil (1909)

Comments

[Deven]

Tofu?

Would that it were so, then I wouldn't have to feel so guilty about loving meat.

[Matt]

I particularly love the reference to "master control panels".
Very futurey.

[robotriot]

More like Master Control Program!

[Mike]

And they're fed tapes, as well.

Mmmmm...tapes. I wonder if they're meat flavored.

[Jack]

I'm still waiting for fake veggies made out of meat.

[Joe]

(Butt-Head) "Uh huh huh huh....he said "Meat Beats"...Uh huh huh huh!!!"
(Beavis) ".....Ohhh yeah! Heh heh heh!!! Like you're meating your beat to fat plants!!! Heh heh heh!!! That was cool!"
(Butt-Head) "....Beavis, you dumbass, that's not...oh, never mind. Dumbass."