The "Rise of the 3D Printer" (Episode: "Make Room for Lisa", 2001)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Rise of the 3D Printer" (Episode: "Make Room for Lisa", 2001)

• What happened: Homer is shown using a 3D printer to make objects, a concept that seemed futuristic at the time.
• Reality: In the 2010s, 3D printing technology became increasingly accessible to consumers, and businesses began using 3D printers for manufacturing prototypes, creating medical devices, and even printing food. The tech industry continues to explore new uses for 3D printing.