20. Skateboarding Revival
Before the movie, the sport of skateboarding had enjoyed various levels of popularity, but it was still an underground sport. The ’80s introduced a massive overhaul to the shape of skateboards. They doubled in size from previous decades. BTTF marketed that change to a massive audience of kids, reinvigorating interest in the sport. To this day, despite having crossed the line into the film’s future, humanity does not yet have overboard technology as portrayed in the film.
19. First Vista Glide Film
There was an effect used in “Back to the Future II,” whereby actors would play older or younger versions of themselves, appearing on the screen with their alternative self at the same time. Today, this is a common effect. At the time, the use of Vista Glide, the technique which facilitated this effect, was brand spanking new. Layers of film, recorded at different times, allowed Michael J. Fox to appear three times in one shot to play two versions of Marty and Marty’s daughter, Marlene.