Second Variety by Philip K. Dick:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

"The claws were bad enough in the first place - nasty, crawling little death-robots. But when they began to imitate their creators, it was time for the human race to make peace - if it could!"


("Second Variety" by Philip K. Dick)

The story takes place after a war between Russia and the UN; Russian victories force the American government to flee to the Moon. UN technicians develop robots called 'claws' to protect remaining UN forces.

This short story was the inspiration for the 1995 film Screamers, starring Peter Weller, Roy Dupuis and Jennifer Rubin. Read it here.

Select an invention:

Claws (Attack Robot) - screamers!
Autonomous guard robots that attack living tissue.

Machine Evolution
An early look at the idea that machines can evolve all by themselves, physically and intellectually.

Robotic Infiltrator
A robot designed to appeal to a soldier's sense of mercy for children.

 

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

Moscow Attacked By Hundreds Of Drones
re: Hal K Wells
(4/5/2026)

Nifty Folding Electric Bicycles!
re: George Parsons Lathrop
(4/3/2026)

FTC: Says Ring Employees Illegally Surveilled Customers
re: Pournelle and Niven
(4/1/2026)

Switzerland May Cap Population At Ten Million
re: Jack Vance
(3/29/2026)

Project Silica Offers 'Long-Term' Digital Storage
re: EE 'Doc' Smith
(3/27/2026)

Can 'Tactical Umbrellas' Shield One From Drones
re: Frank Herbert
(3/25/2026)

Crystalline Structures In Space, You Say?
re: Gene Roddenberry
(3/23/2026)

Garçon! A Menu For Artemis II, S'il Vous Plaît
re: Jules Verne
(3/21/2026)

Amazing Photonic Crystal Light Sail
re: Cordwainer Smith
(3/19/2026)

Blue Collar AI Goes To Work To Mine Its Own Crypto
re: Harry Harrison
(3/17/2026)

Rogue AI Replicated Itself
re: Gregory Benford
(3/15/2026)

HandelBot Helps Two-Handed Robots Learn Piano
re: Herbert Goldstone
(3/13/2026)

Woven Fiber Electronic Skin For Robots
re: Harl VIncent
(2/11/2026)

When AI Takes Its First Breath
re: Various
(2/9/2026)

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.