Timeflash

Russia (USSR) sends the first human made satellite into space. This still primitive satellite is called: Spoetnik and could only transmit a beep signal.
This event has been predicted in the Science Fiction literature by Arthur C. Clark in the 50's. In fact many future developments will be predicted in the Science Fiction literature, and this one already came through! A good indication of the cross fertilization of science and fiction.
In 25 years a web of satellites will make it possible to have a world wide information network without having to pull thousands of kilometers of cables through soil and sea or air.