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"We each live in a somewhat unique world of our own psychological content."
- Philip K. Dick
 |
| Airlock | ||
| An intermediate chamber between airless space and the interior of a space craft. |
How can you go between the void of space and oxygen-rich interior of your space craft?
| DuQuesne reported briefly to the two girls. All three put on space-suits and crowded into the tiny airlock. The lock was pumped down. |
| Technovelgy from The Skylark of Space,
by E.E. 'Doc' Smith. Published by Amazing Stories in 1928 Additional resources -
|
The phrase "air lock" and the basic purpose was first used in the mid-19th century in relation to sea-going vessels.
Not all airlocks and doors were tiny; this excerpt is from The Power Planet (1931) by Murray Leinster.
Those in the observatory felt a sudden savage suction
of air. It swayed them upon their feet.
“In a hurry,” said Jimmy Cardigan grimly. “The
Commander let in the air from the Planet instead of
the tanks. He’s in a hurry, too.”
This is perhaps the earliest usage of the phrase in science fiction. However, the idea was put forward much earlier; see the entry for the double-door vestibule from Astor's 1894 novel A Journey in Other Worlds.
Then there was the clank
of the airlock door — a vast circle a hundred feet across.
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Tech news articles related to The Skylark of Space
Tech news articles related to works by E.E. 'Doc' Smith
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| Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again? |
| Reflect Orbital Offers 'Sunlight on Demand' And Light Pollution |
| Chrysalis Generation Ship to Alpha Centauri |
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'...there's a narrow belt where the climate is moderate.'
'... with the Master-operator all you have to do is push one! A remarkable achievement!'
'Not like me. A T-1000, advanced prototype. A mimetic poly-alloy. Liquid metal.'
'It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'
'The massive feet working the pedals, arms and hands flashing and glinting...'
'There were cubic miles of it, and it glistened like a silvery Christmas tree...'
'Jason had been guiding the caravan of cars as usual...'
"The robot solemnly hit a ball against the wall, picked it up and teed it, hit it again, over and again...'
