E.E. 'Doc' Smith: Science Fiction Technology and Ideas

E.E. 'Doc' Smith:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas

Edward Elmer Smith (1890-1965) was the science fiction author who wrote the Lensman series and the Skylark series. He was born in Idaho; he received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from George Washington University in 1919. He worked as a 'food technologist' for the Dawn Doughnut Company, then worked for the US Army from 1941-1945. His novels are considered by most fans to be the progenitors of the 'space opera' genre; Smith himself stated that he preferred to invent fictional technologies that are not strictly impossible.

Invention/Technology	Source Work (Publication Date)
Radio-Dirigible Torpedo A drone missile that is controlled remotely by an operator.	Triplanetary (1934)
Shield Early name for a defensive force field.	Skylark Three (1930)
Spacehound An experienced spaceman.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Spy Ray Goggles - see through walls A form of radiation that can penetrate walls to allow the user to 'see' what is happening on the other side.	Triplanetary (1934)
Standish - a mean beam of energy A beam weapon of frightful intensity.	Triplanetary (1934)
Super-Weapon - first use of term A generic term for an advanced destructive device or technology.	Robot Nemesis (1939)
Thionite A deadly drug.	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Thought-Screen - stop alien mind control A device that prevents other people from taking over control of your thoughts and mind.	Gray Lensman (1942)
Tight-Beam - hard to find A method of communication that uses a very narrowly-focused stream of energy.	Skylark Three (1930)
Tractor Beam - pulling force at a distance A force field used to pull objects.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Two-Wheeled Ground Car - gyro-stabilized A gyro-stabilized vehicle like an enclosed motorcycle.	First Lensman (1950)
Ultra-Communicator A communication system that transfers voice commands from one person to selected others.	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Ultra-Light Vision System A viewing technology able to see through and even within most objects.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Ultrawave - FTL communication A means of faster-than-light (FTL) communication.	Triplanetary (1934)
Vacuum Armor An armor-plated space suit.	Skylark Three (1930)
Visiplate - early flat panel viewer A flat screen for viewing remote images.	Skylark Three (1930)

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