In “Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World” the toy as predictor concept is explored more deeply. The emphasis is less on the implementation of the toy tha

In “Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World” the toy as predictor concept is explored more deeply. The emphasis is less on the implementation of the toy than on the popularity of the style of play or human amusement that the toy enables. Then over time various technologies come along to implement the mode of play. Eventually someone says, wow that might help in serious adult activity X. And then disruption. Kubernetes, Tensorflow, Kafka, Falcon 9, iPhone, and Model S aren’t toys. Video game AI, model rockets, iPod (limited to music playback), and RC cars are toys that predicted these modern, serious adult innovations. The toy as predictor theory doesn’t require that all technologies begin as toys. So maybe Kubernetes & Kafka don’t fit (I can’t think of a relevant toy).