Universal Basic Income was first popularised (in a small way, and really only among economists) in the Triple Revolution report[1] given to Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. It was a report on how the US might change in the near future, and it was the work of some very distinguished thinkers (there are at least 3 Nobel prize winners in the list of signatories). The three revolutions that made up the 'triple' were Civil Rights, Weaponry (specifically nuclear weapons), and Automation.
The first two came to pass in more or less obvious ways, but the third (automation) is only really happening now - there isn't much alternative if work is automated away unless you think having a hugely wealthy elite controlling everything while everyone else starves is a good idea.
The first two came to pass in more or less obvious ways, but the third (automation) is only really happening now - there isn't much alternative if work is automated away unless you think having a hugely wealthy elite controlling everything while everyone else starves is a good idea.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Triple_Revolution