Futurism began as a literary movement, established by poet and propagandist, Filippo Tomaso Marinetti in 1908. Marinetti’s manifestos called for the destruction of public establishments, such as libraries, museums, academies, and the cities themselves. Young intellectuals flocked to the heels of his radical ideologies.

Enamored by his desire to bring about true anarchy as a means of revitalizing Italy’s then stagnant culture, they began an artistic movement whose far reaching influences would be felt till this day. Futurism hinged on the worship of modern technology and the belief that technology should pervade every aspect of human life. It denounced the cultural heritage of Italy and all previous classical artistic movements.