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"[Science fiction is] nightmares and visions, always outlined by the barely possible."
- Gregory Benford

Stilltent  
  A small, sealable enclosure which reclaimed moisture from the breath of occupants.  

Although the Fremen of Dune had stillsuits, which allowed them to roam the surface of the planet without losing much moisture from their bodies, there were times when wearing the suits was inconvenient. For example, when camped, stilltents afforded the opportunity for relaxation.

Bits of solid reality began to dip through the dream state into his awareness. He knew suddenly that he was in a hiereg, a desert camp. Chani had planted their stilltent on flour-sand for its softness. He saw Chani in the grayness, matching him movement for movement, securing her stillsuit for the open desert. He kissed her palm before securing the faceflap of his suit, then turned and cracked the seal of the tent. The air that came in to them held the chill not-quite-dryness that would precipitate trace dew in the dawn.
Technovelgy from Dune, by Frank Herbert.
Published by Putnam in 1965
Additional resources -

Another device showing Frank Herbert's relentless use of imagination; artifacts that continually reinforced the nature of the planet - the setting of the story.

To see how this device functions in a more stressful setting, see the entry for sandsnork.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Dune
  More Ideas and Technology by Frank Herbert
  Tech news articles related to Dune
  Tech news articles related to works by Frank Herbert

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