The "VR Headsets" (Virtual Reality) (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

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 "VR Headsets" (Virtual Reality) (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

• What happened: In the episode, the characters use an early version of virtual reality (VR) headsets, poking fun at futuristic technology.
• Reality: Virtual reality technology has exploded in the 2010s, with companies like Oculus (now owned by Meta), HTC, and Sony offering VR headsets that allow users to experience fully immersive digital environments in gaming, education, and even therapy.