No: the world is not predicted to end on Friday, November 13, 2026. That date comes from a real 1960 paper, “Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D. 2026,” but its authors used a mathematical model to extrapolate accelerating population growth toward a singularity—not to forecast an asteroid, war, or sudden apocalypse.
What the 1960 paper said
Heinz von Foerster, Patricia M. Mora, and Lawrence W. Amiot published “Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D. 2026” in Science on November 4, 1960. The three authors were electrical engineering staff at the University of Illinois. The paper’s title named the date its equation produced when extrapolated, not a scheduled end-of-world event. Read the original paper in Science.
The authors were interested in whether human population growth might behave differently from the usual pattern in which crowding increases competition and slows growth. They considered whether communication and coalition-building could make cooperation more effective as population grew, allowing growth to accelerate. They applied that idea to world population, which they considered less affected by local migration and fluctuation than smaller populations.
How the date was calculated
Von Foerster and his coauthors assembled 24 estimates of world population, covering roughly 100 generations from the time of Christ through 1958. They checked the estimates for independence and used least squares to fit the parameters of their chosen model. The resulting fitted singularity date was A.D. 2026.87 ± 5.50 years; the root-mean-square deviation across the data points was approximately 7 percent.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Those figures describe a fit to historical estimates and the date implied by continuing that fitted curve. The approximately 7 percent deviation is a measure of how closely the model fit its data points; it is not a measure of the probability that the date would come true. Nor does a close fit to past data establish that the same mechanism or trend will continue unchanged.
What “doomsday” meant
In the equation, population tends toward infinity as time approaches a finite date. That mathematical behavior is called a singularity. It is not a physically plausible claim that Earth could contain infinitely many people. In the real world, finite resources and changing conditions would force population dynamics to change before such a limit. A 2013 commentary in PNAS explains that the singularity marks a shift to different dynamics, potentially including population decline, rather than literal infinity. Read the PNAS commentary.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The authors’ famous line was: “our great-great-grandchildren will not starve to death. They will be squeezed to death.” In context, it dramatized the consequences they associated with unchecked accelerating growth; it was not a prediction of a sudden catastrophe on the calculated date.
That distinction was already visible in contemporary coverage. In November 1960, TIME wrote that von Foerster did not really believe humanity would breed itself to “universe-filling infinity” in 66 years. The magazine presented the equation as a vivid warning about indefinitely accelerating growth, not a literal countdown to the end of the world. Read TIME’s 1960 account.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why the authors raised the alarm
The paper argued that people could take control of population dynamics rather than wait for an external environmental limit. Given the assumptions and conditions of 1960, its authors proposed keeping fertility low enough to stabilize population. They wrote that this would mean cutting the birth rate to about half its value or reducing average family size to a little above two children.
That proposal belongs to the paper’s historical argument and context. It should not be treated as current demographic or policy guidance: it follows from the authors’ 1960 model and assumptions, not from a contemporary assessment of population policy.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What happened to the projection
A 2026 retrospective by historian Alan MacEachern, republished by Phys.org from The Conversation, says world population began falling behind the model’s forecasts around 1993. It also reports, citing Our World in Data, that the global birth rate is now slightly less than half its 1960 level. Those are comparisons reported by MacEachern; the birth-rate figure is not independently verified here. Read the retrospective.
The episode illustrates why an equation that describes a historical pattern can still fail as a literal long-range forecast. The projection depended on a selected curve, historical estimates available through 1958, and the assumption that the trend and its underlying dynamics would continue. A textbook treatment of population modeling uses the case to make the same distinction between a conditional extrapolation and proof that a trend will persist. See the Princeton University Press textbook.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
