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Great Scott!
After 25 years, the hoverboard is finally a reality (though it still doesn't work on water), transporting us slightly closer to Back to the Future II's vision of, well, the future. But now we've reached 2017, how does the 21st Century actually compare to the one envisioned in the Doc's movie? Let's take a closer look at some of the inventions to see which ones became a reality...
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Smart Clothes
The invention: Don't worry about lacing your shoes or even buying clothes that fit properly - they'll sort that out for themselves.
The reality: Wearable technology (mostly pocket phone chargers and smart watches) is certainly a thing, but self-tying shoelaces remain elusive, despite Nike releasing replica trainers for charity in 2011 and promising the real thing would appear in 2015. Until the fashion world catches up, we can meet it halfway by wearing trousers inside out and rocking two ties at once.
Domestic Fusion Energy
The invention: Garbage-guzzling Mr Fusion answers our energy and environmental problems, converting everyday waste into the 1.21 gigawatts needed for time travel.
The reality: Fusion energy replicating the power of the sun has been in the works for decades, though boffins admit they're a long way from harnessing it, let alone sticking it on the car roof. Scientists be warned: don't rush the experiments on this one. Fusion accidents usually lead to the creation of a radioactive supervillain.
Dehydrated Pizzas
The invention: A CD-sized pizza is easily enough to feed a family. Two seconds in the Black & Decker Hydrator (a kind of anti-microwave) and it expands to a whopping 15-incher.
The reality: Astronauts have been tucking into dehydrated grub since the 1960s. Domestically, it hasn't progressed much past the Pot Noodle. We're probably better off without them. A possible cure for the world hunger crisis might quickly turn into a world obesity crisis. Mmmmm, stuffed crust...
Personal sound FX vests
The invention: A wearable development in 21st century trash-talk, punctuating every insult with an appropriate sound effect. A chicken, for example. Dignified, we know.
The reality: Like everything else, there's an app for it, rendering the waistcoat keyboard thingy redundant before it started. Don't completely rule them out. It'll only take one hipster to model the sound FX vest round London-town and it could seriously take off (cue rocket launch noise).
Dust-repellent paper
The invention: Following the dust-repellent paper boom of the early 2000s, books like the Sports Almanac, with its retro-style jacket, are something of a collector's item. No wonder everyone's fighting over it.
The reality: The development of more practical and advanced screen technology, such as the handy folding pocket tablet, has taken precedent over improving the quality of paper. Just think of all the money we'd save on comic bags.
Fingerprint security systems
The invention: Fingerprint ID is now standard (useful for identifying passed out time travellers) and has even replaced the house key.
The reality: We already have Apple Touch ID and the smart home (using your iPad to open the fridge door etc) is apparently just a few years away. The downside is that younger versions of yourself can let themselves into your house and nose about as they please.
A return to analogue telecoms
The invention: The McFlys circa 2015 might use videophones (or Skype, as some future people call them), but they still have a fax machine in every room.
The reality: Even adding such futuristic features as, erm, scanning and copying won't bring the fax machine back from retro tech hell. Of course, there's always the chance the latest iOS update will finally send everyone over the edge and the ensuing meltdown will cause a technological devolution.
High-tech sleeping aids
The invention: Doc knocks Jennifer out in seconds with a quick buzz of the sleep-inducing alpha rhythm generator.
The reality: The closest thing we have is a space-age eye-mask that uses gradually fading lights to induce sleep. Not quite the insomnia-busting quick fix we were hoping for. A real shame the technology hasn't caught up with this one yet. The gadget would be especially handy at work, festive family functions, and crowded comic conventions.
Flying cars
The invention: Marty arrives via the skyways of Hill Valley. Don't look surprised; everyone knows flying cars are standard in the future.
The reality: A Slovakian company launched a prototype, the AeroMobil 3.0, which can do 100mph at altitudes of 9,800ft. No one's that impressed with flying (we've had planes for yonks). What we want are those flippy-round wheels that the future-DeLorean has. The cruising altitude of cool.
Another 15 Jaws films
The invention: Jaws 19 is Hollywood's newest holographic blockbuster. Predictably, critics say it's without bite.
The reality: There have been significant advances in projecting real-time 3D images, and Apple has had holographic screens in the works since 2010, making the holomax cinema entirely feasible. But getting all those new Jaws films in time was a stretch too far.
