Prediction: THE stock market will hit the crest of a rising wave in the mid-1950s.

Reality: It did rise in the mid 1950s, but it didn’t crest; after a short recession in 1957 it rose even higher in the late 1950s and through the 60s.

Prediction: Diphtheria and influenza will strike hard in the U. S. in 1953.

Reality: Immunization against diphtheria meant no US epidemic. Influenza did not strike any harder than normal in the US. The US was however struck with a polio epidemic in the mid 50s, with the South (and especially military bases) particularly hard-hit.

Prediction: the peak [of war] will probably be reached in the early 1960s.

Reality: Although the Cuban Missile Crisis almost caused a war, the early 60s don’t seem to have been more volatile than any other time. (I’m not counting just wars in which the US participated but wars in general, including civil wars.)

Prediction: we can expect bustles back in style in 1970.

Reality: Bustles did not come back in 1970. Bustles have never come back. Bustles will never come back (my prediction). However, I have a feeling ye olde writer doesn’t know his bustle from his crinoline.

Prediction: The world will enter a cold trough in 1980 and come out of it in the year 2000, when the brotherhood of man will reign in a universal democracy, and tolerance, international amity and good will envelop the earth and its people.

Reality: I wish.