On September 23, 1962, the animated science-fiction sitcom The Jetsons made its prime-time debut on ABC. Produced by Hanna-Barbera, the series made television history as ABC’s first program broadcast entirely in color.
Set a century in the future, in 2062, the show followed George and Jane Jetson; their children, Judy and Elroy; their talking dog, Astro; and their robotic maid, Rosie. Together, they navigated the high-tech conveniences of Orbit City, from flying cars and automated walkways to videophones and push-button domestic life.
Although The Jetsons initially ran for only one 24-episode prime-time season, it became an enduring symbol of mid-century visions of the future through frequent syndication and a revival in the 1980s. Its colorful world—shaped by Googie architecture and mid-century modern design—helped define popular ideas of futuristic living for generations.
Image via Alamy
