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There's a scifi story that is often brought up when discussing how poor people are at predicting the future. There's supposedly a scifi story from the 1890's-1910's era about a mystery set in the 21st century where the solution is that the milkman did it (just showing how unlikely people thought that milkmen would disappear.)
Does anyone know what story this is?
Note: This answer clearly misses one important element being sought - the story does not take place in the future. I'll leave the answer here, though, while we keep looking for the right answer.
"The Invisible Man" by G. K. Chesterton may fit.
There's supposedly a scifi story from the 1890's-1910's era about a mystery set in the 21st century where the solution is that the milkman did it (just showing how unlikely people thought that milkmen would disappear.)
It was published in 1911
It's science fiction, in some sense - it has robot servants!
"I suppose you've seen on the hoardings all about this 'Smythe's Silent Service'? Or you must be the only person that hasn't. Oh, I don't know much about it, it's some clockwork invention for doing all the housework by machinery. You know the sort of thing: 'Press a Button—A Butler who Never Drinks.' 'Turn a Handle—Ten Housemaids who Never Flirt.'
The mailman did it
“Nobody ever notices postmen somehow,” he said thoughtfully; “yet they have passions like other men, and even carry large bags where a small corpse can be stowed quite easily.”
The postman, instead of turning naturally, had ducked and tumbled against the garden fence. He was a lean fair-bearded man of very ordinary appearance, but as he turned an alarmed face over his shoulder, all three men were fixed with an almost fiendish squint.
Mailmen haven't disappeared, though.
