Fundamentals

Not to be scatological, but one piece of technology I believe will continue to exist in twenty years will be the porcelain throne in the bathroom. It is about as fundamental a piece of technology as you can get. While other old goodies considered state of the art will be tossed aside to gather mold. This item will remain state of the art with, perhaps, some tweaking. While it’s changed a good bit in the past century, it’s almost always been recognizable and functioned as it always has. And the human need for it is not likely to disappear.

You’re saying, “Wait! Your vision is too narrow!” After all, who forecast the pocket cell phone back in the day when “portable” phones were huge clunkers? True, but this is something not likely to be miniaturized, connected to the internet, or become much of a tool for entertainment. Yes, the basic unit may become more water-efficient and comfortable, but the timing for some fundamental changes in the basic functions is probably in the distant future.