Anno Domini 2071

Harting, Pieter (under the pen name of "Dr. Dioscorides"). Anno Domini 2071. 1871. Translated from the Dutch by Alexander V. W. Bikkers "With Preface and Additional Explanatory Notes." London: William Tegg, 1871. Available on line as a Project Gutenberg Ebook.[1]

I.F. Clarke cites 2071 as usefully typical in Voices Prophesying War, ch. 5, "From the Somme and Verdun to Heroshima and Nagasaki."

For so long as the hectic love affair between science and society lasted, the greatest ambitions forthe betterment of humanity were concentrated on images of future power. [...] For example the Dutch writer and social commentator, Pieter Harting, looked into the future and in Anno Domini 2071 revealed how universal happiness would be sure to follow upon the turn of a wheel or a touch of a switch. There would be the most desirable improvements in mechanism: new energy systems, solar-light devices, highly efficient airships, a Channel Bridge, express trains from Peking to Europe — and an end to all wars, thanks to the deterrent effect of advanced weapons. (p. 148)

RDE, finishing, 20Dec20