True Names by Vernor Vinge:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Wonderful novella-length story that kicked off the cyberpunk era in science fiction. Roger Pollack (aka Mr. Slippery) is a "warlock" of what came to be called cyberspace. He is asked to stop a member of his group who is trying to take over the real world through the datanet. Vinge's prescience in this story is remarkable. Select an invention:

Data Space
Computer storage and processor time rented by the user.

Personality Simulator (Virtual Person)
A computer program that presents the appearance of being a person.

Portal
Sensory experience of a data network.

Virtual World Kiss
Kissing mediated by a computer system.

Virtual world metaphor - early use
use of fanciful imagery to represent real-world data systems in a virtual world.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find
new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
re: Isaac Asimov
(9/21/2025)

Elegant Bivouac Shelter Produces Water And Electricity
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(9/17/2025)

X-Control Janus-1 A Suitcase Aircraft
re: ED Skinner
(9/15/2025)

'AI Assistants' Are Actually Less Reliable For News
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(9/13/2025)

YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy!
re: James Blish
(9/11/2025)

Will Robots Ever Fold Landry?
re: Philip K. Dick
(9/9/2025)

Will AIs Give Better Results If You're Rude To Them?
re: John Varley
(9/7/2025)

Cybertruck Robotic Arm F10 Drone Launch!
re: Philip K. Dick
(9/5/2025)

Black Fungus Blocks Radiation
re: Andy Weir
(9/3/2025)

Liuzhi Process Now In Use In China
re: George Orwell
(9/1/2025)

Reflect Orbital Offers 'Sunlight on Demand' And Light Pollution
re: Theodore Sturgeon
(8/29/2025)

Will Robots Become Family Caregivers?
re: Philip K. Dick
(8/27/2025)

Chinese Tokamak Uses AI To Keep Fusion Plasma Stable
re: Various
(8/25/2025)

Time Crystals Can Now Be Seen Directly
re: NK Heming
(8/23/2025)

More SF in the News

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.