Science Fiction Dictionary: Ideas, Terms and Technology
( 3878 Inventions Available)

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Device Name Book/Story Author Date
Maas-Neotek Biochip
An integrated circuit chip (or equivalent) that provides hardware and firmware for creating a virtual entity.
Mona Lisa Overdrive Gibson  1988
Machine (Thinking Machine)
A very early reference to a thinking machine in charge of a planet.
The Machine Campbell  1935
Machine Apartment
Each person lives isolated in their own room, supported by a vast planetary machine.
The Machine Stops Forster  1909
Machine City
A city that is a self-maintaining whole entity.
Twilight Campbell  1934
Machine Evolution
An early look at the idea that machines can evolve all by themselves, physically and intellectually.
Second Variety Dick  1953
Machine Masters
Humans did less and less, and machines did more and more, until machines became the masters.
The Reign of the Masters Hamilton  1931
Machine Psychologist
A computer that understands and uses its knowledge of human psychology to benefit human users.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Machine Servant
A wheeled plastic box with universal-joint arms.
The Star of Life Hamilton  1947
Machine Suicide
A self-aware computer system wants to destroy itself.
All the Troubles in the World Asimov  1958
Machine Surveillance
The use of artificially intelligent computer systems to learn by monitoring all human interaction within a city.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Machine Test Scoring
A device that scans a specially prepared grade sheet and determines a student's score.
The Fun They Had Asimov  1951
Maelstrom
A description of the next generation Internet
Maelstrom Watts  2002
Magic Spectacles
Very early take on virtual reality hardware.
Pygmalion's Spectacles Weinbaum  1935
Magnalloy
A durable form of magnesium.
The Cave of Horror Meek  1930
MagnaPoon
To hitch a ride from a faster vehicle while riding a skateboard (from harpoon).
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Magneslippers
Shoes that adhere to metal space ship floors, useful in null gravity situations.
Accidental Flight Wallace  1952
Magnet Grapnel
Used to pull another vessel closer when boarding in space.
The Space Rover Sloat  1932
Magnetic Anchor
A means of affixing an anchor point on a spacecraft hull.
Dead Star Station Williamson  1933
Magnetic Boots
Special footgear holds spacemen to the metal deck in spite of the lack of gravity.
Atomic Fire Gallun  1931
Magnetic Clamps
Used for attaching your craft to a larger spaceship.
Twelve Hours To Live Williamson  1931
Magnetic Control of Nebulae
Controlling the structure and shape of nebulae using magnetic fields.
The Black Cloud Hoyle  1957
Magnetic Elevator
A device that uses very powerful electromagnets for propulsion.
The Gods of Mars Burroughs  1918
Magnetic Eyes
A device that permits remote monitoring of people or other objects.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Magnetic Flame Gun
Device shoots charged positive nuclei.
Roamer of the Stars Wilson  1938
Magnetic Grapple-Beams
Short range magnetic field to guide flying cars and park them properly.
Solar Lottery Dick  1955
Magnetic Levitating Bed
A bed that hovers above the floor, with no visible means of suport.
Spook Country Gibson  2007
Magnetic Pinions
Remote control electromagnetic handcuffs.
Worlds of Origin Vance  1958
Magnetic Projector
Projects a vortex of magnetic force.
The Space Beyond Campbell  1976
Magnetic Railroads
A scheme for powering railroads using enormous electromagnets.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Magnetic Ram
A device that fires pulses of magnetic energy.
Storm Thief Wooding  2006
Magnetic Ray
A powerful magnetic beam.
The Exiles of Venus Vanny  1931
Magnetic Sandals
Special footgear to walk in zero-gee spacecraft.
Star of Dreams Williamson  1941
Magnetic Shell
A munition that is powerfully attracted to ferrous ships.
The Great Stone of Sardis Stockton  1897
Magnetic Shoes
Footgear magnetized for working on steel hulls.
The Silent Destroyer Juve  1929
Magnetic Soles
Magnetized footwear for easy walking on low gravity metal surfaces.
A Spaceship Named McGuire Garrett  1961
Magnetically Floating Furniture
Furniture that is suspended at the proper height using magnetic forces.
The Sirens of Titan Vonnegut, Jr.  1959
Magnetic-Soled Shoes
A means of walking on a surface in zero gravity.
Space Tug Leinster  1953
Magnetized Boots
Special shoes to allow walking in and around a metal ship with no artificial gravity.
Lost Rocket Wellman  1941
Magno-Bars
Electromagnet-tipped rods used by meteor miners to capture iron-rich asteroids in space.
The Meteor Miners Eshbach  1935
Magnus-Effect Ambulance
A vehicle that can hover and fly using the Magnus Effect.
Earth Brin  1990
Magsail
An interplanetary craft that uses magnetic fields to catch the solar winds for propulsion.
Falling Stars Flynn  1998
Magship
A ship that uses magnetic fields to catch the solar wind for propulsion.
Falling Stars Flynn  1998
Maid-Robot
A mechanical automaton does the work of a lady's maid.
The Midas Plague Pohl  1954
Mail-Post Letter-Ball
A system of sending mail quickly from town to town via steam-cannon-powered hollow spheres.
The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century Loudon  1828
Mal de Void
Literally, space sick.
Off the Beam Smith  1944
Mall (Great City Bazaar)
An aggregation of shops under one roof.
Looking Backward Bellamy  1888
Mammontelephas
A 'mammoth' resurrected from the genes of the original.
Earth Brin  1990
Mandroid
A humanoid robot; a robot in the shape of a person.
Altered Carbon Morgan  2003
Manmade Black Hole
Using the power of a hole in the continuum.
One Against The Legion Williamson  1939
Manna
A software program that autonomously manages restaurants or other service industry businesses.
Manna Brain  2002
Manshell
A spaceship large enough for just one man; also an escape pod.
Sunward Flight Zagat  1943
Manshonyagger
An autonomous fighting robot.
Mark Elf Smith  1957
Manual Closet
An old-fashioned storage room for clothing, which required the user to place and organize articles of apparel by hand.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Manual Search For Habitable Planet
A tedious search for habitable planets by hand.
Skylark of Valeron Smith  1934
Manufactured Planet
Is that a moon - or a space station?
The Heritage of the Earth Aldinger  1932
Manufactured Wife
A wife made to order, programmed to meet her husband's requirements.
A Wife Manufactured to Order Fuller  1895
Marine Spider (Hydrofoil)
A very early mention of the hydrofoil concept.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Maritime Robots
Robots designed to perform every aspect of maintenance for a ship.
Mare Nostrum Sterling  2022
Mark IV Door Keeping Robot
A robotic device for responding (and scanning) people who come to your door.
The Man Who Could Not Stop Chandler  1959
Martian Perambulator
A mechanized transport for heavy gravity environments for beings born in lower gravity environments.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Martian Print Amoeba
An organism able to mimic consumer goods.
Now Wait For Last Year Dick  1966
Martian Sawgrass
Specialized variety of plant that is used to provide oxygen for space stations.
QRM - Interplanetary Smith  1942
Marvin the Robot
Another fine robot from the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Adams  1979
Mass Detector
Hunting aid.
The Man in the Maze Silverberg  1969
Mass Detector (Gravitator)
A device that finds substantial masses, particularly in the path of a space craft.
Roamer of the Stars Wilson  1938
Mass Pointer
Tells you where the really large (star-sized) masses are while you travel in hyperspace.
Crashlander Niven  1994
Mass-Conversion Ship
A spacecraft that uses the ultimate in fuel sources.
Farmer in the Sky Heinlein  1950
Mass-Driver Catapult
An escape-speed induction catapult to launch material into orbit.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Massive Open Learning
Teach using standard videos prepared by the best teachers.
The Threat of the Robot Keller  1929
Master Machine
One single machine to run a civilization!
The Revolt of the Machines Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Master Ventriloquism Corporation (MV)
A central source of product advertising, commercials sent out to every product.
Captive Audience Griffith  1953
Matched-Frequency Separable Units
Devices that can draw power wirelessly from a matched source.
Skylark Three Smith  1930
Matrix
A shared virtual reality space; users project their consciousness into a representation of networked data.
Burning Chrome Gibson  1982
Matter Annihilation Ray
A beam that forces electrons into protons, thereby destroying ordinary matter.
Twelve Hours To Live Williamson  1931
Matter Compiler
A device that builds the desired article (such as a dress) atom by atom according to a specified design.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Matter Duplicator
Makes a perfect copy of any material object.
Pandora's Millions Smith  1945
Matter Editation
Technology that enables the easy manipulation of atomic properties.
Alpha Centauri Meier  1999
Matter Organizer
A device that could cause a computer-generated image to be constructed as a real object.
The City and the Stars Clarke  1956
Matter Transmitter
Device which causes a physical object to disappear from one place and reappear in another.
The Conquest of Gola Stone  1931
Matter Transmitter and Receiver
A device that transports matter through space.
Monsters of Mars Hamilton  1931
Mattress Sleep Sensor
Sleep problems? Make sure you get your body out of bed each day.
Dream Park Niven (w/S. Barnes)  1981
Maula Pistol
A spring-loaded projectile device.
Dune Herbert  1965
Max Detention (Virtual Counsel)
A software implementation of a lawyer; an artificially intelligent legal advisor.
Quantico Bear  2007
Maximum-security Booth
A special phone booth for receiving high-security, scrambled telephone calls, calls which included 3D visuals.
Double Star Heinlein  1956
Meat Puppet
A person with a neural cut out chip; the chip allows computer software to completely control their actions.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Mechanical Bride
A perfect robotic replica of a woman.
The Mechanical Bride Leiber  1954
Mechanical Cleaning Device
A small, ground-based autonomous robot doing basic janitorial work.
The Unreconstructed M Dick  1957
Mechanical Cobra
An assassination device; senses brain waves to find its victim.
Lord of Light Zelazny  1967
Mechanical Consciousness
The notion that machines may develop a form of consciousness.
Erewhon Butler  1872
Mechanical Funeral
An entirely autonomous burial rite.
The Coffin Bradbury  1947
Mechanical Hand
A large robotic hand or claw, large enough to grasp a person.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Mechanical Hound
An eight-legged robotic "hound" with hypodermic poison fangs.
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury  1953
Mechanical Jokester
A vast computer system learns about humor.
Jokester Asimov  1956
Mechanical Judge
A device that makes legal decisions.
The Lord of Tranerica Coblentz  1939
Mechanical Men
Remote controlled robots used to perform dangerous work.
The Ancient Brain Stangland  1929
Mechanical Mole
A self-contained device for digging large tunnels.
Oath of Fealty Pournelle (w/L. Niven)  1981
Mechanical Newsmachine
An automated device that delivers on-the-spot news.
Foster, You're Dead Dick  1955
Mechanical Teacher
A computer device able to teach children.
The Fun They Had Asimov  1951
Mechanical Thought Transformers
Machinery to expedite the process of thought transfer.
The Conquest of Gola Stone  1931
Mechanical Tune-Maker
An electromechanical device that created unique music.
Last of the Masters Dick  1954
Mechanist Drogue
Schismatrix Sterling  1985
Mechanotherapy
A mechanism or device-based therapy that cures (or palliates) alcoholism.
Bad Medicine Sheckley  1956
Mechavalet
An entirely automated dressing assistant.
The Angry House Smith  1955
Mecho-Clothing
Apparel created entirely by machines.
Last of the Masters Dick  1954
Mediaglyphic
Animated symbols to help those who haven't bothered to learn to read in a multimedia age.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Mediatron
A paper-thin networked computer display.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Mediatronic Display
Electronic paper comes in big sheets.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Medical Mantis
A medical telefactoring device; allows a physician to remotely examine patients and perform procedures.
Starfish Watts  1999
Medical Mech
A medical robot designed to prevent death during emergencies.
Warrior Dickson  1965
Medical Use for Weightlessness
Early reference to the idea of using a weightless environment for medical purposes.
Accidental Flight Wallace  1952
Medically Applicable Biochip
A computer formed of organic components that is used for a medical purpose.
Blood Music Bear  1984
Megadont
An engineered mastodon, used to convert vegetable matter into energy.
The Calorie Man Bacigalupi  2005
Membrane
A listening device.
We Zamyatin  1922
Membrane Balloon Helmet
A selectively permeable membrane worn as a helmet.
The Flight of the Horse Niven  1969
Memory Biochip
An implanted device that permits the user to 'play back' selected memories.
Shards of Honor Bujold  1986
Memory Diamond
Very dense memory storage.
Iron Sunrise Stross  2004
Memory Hole
A receptacle for unwanted documents.
1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) Orwell  1948
Memory Plastic
Takes various shapes impressed into it on command.
Death by Ecstasy Niven  1969
Memory Recording
A means of recording the entirety of a person's experience and personality.
The Ophiuchi Hotline Varley  1977
Memo-Voice
Paper memos that read themselves out loud.
War Game Dick  1959
Menograph (Mind-Writer)
Direct translation of thought to paper.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Menslator
A translator that works by examining the mental image of what you are trying to say.
Troubled Star Smith  1952
Mental Static Device
Cloak the minds of individuals with a kind of 'noise'.
Second Foundation Asimov  1953
Mentanical Communication
Thinking, learning robots have a special means of communication.
The Mentanicals Flagg  1934
Mentanicals
Robots capable of mentation - i.e., thought.
The Mentanicals Flagg  1934
Mentat
A person who has been specially trained and conditioned for excellence in
Dune Herbert  1965
Mentophone
A device that facilitates long-distance telepathy.
First He Died (Time and Again) Simak  1951
Merc-Pool
A device that stores information in vibration patterns on a mercury surface.
Caves of Steel Asimov  1953
Mercy Gas
Breathe it and die.
The Saga of Pelican West Russell  1937
Mercy Rifle
Device fired slivers of anesthetic as darts.
Grendel Niven  1968
Merry-Go-Round Life Suspension (Refrigerator Plant)
A device that offered cold sleep.
The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years Wilcox  1940
Meson Filter
Provides robots with the ability to tell the difference between jokes that provide a chuckle and jokes that provide a belly laugh.
The Jester Tenn  1951
Message Cylinder
A small metal object containing some form of message media and a mechanism for either playing or extruding the medium; secured communication device.
Dune Herbert  1965
Message Cylinder (Message Bomb)
A means of sending dispatches from space via a small projectile dropped from orbit; effectively a message rocket.
The Cosmic Cloud Burgel  1931
Message Tree
A tree growing out of a huge cliff of crystal provides communication for a world.
A Case of Conscience Blish  1953
Messagecraft
An autonomous spacecraft and drone that serves as a communication node in a network that spans star systems.
The Faithful Messenger Scithers  1969
Metal BIrds
Surveillance robots that carried weapons, in addition to using their metal bodies.
Vulcan's Hammer Dick  1960
Metal Calculator Planet
A planet covered entirely with machinery to a height of twenty miles and covered with a metal roof.
Limiting Factor Simak  1949
Metal Desk Car
A combination work desk and vehicle for librarians and researchers; part desk part carnival ride.
Ben Gleed, King of Speed Wilcox  1939
Metal Foil Advertisement
An advertising circular made out of metal.
The Illustrated Man Bradbury  1951
Metal Insects
Small autonomous flying winged robots.
The Invincible Lem  1954
Metal Message In Space
A message sent to other worlds, inscribed on metal.
The Menace From Space Edwards  1934
Metal Monster with Jointed Limbs
A large robotic device with legs.
The Doom From Planet 4 Williamson  1931
Metal Paste
A conductive metal that could be easily squirted from a tube.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Metal Solvent Ray Thrower
Acts like a flame thrower in space.
Lost Rocket Wellman  1941
Metal Worms
Huge wriggling metal war engines.
Vandals from the Moon Marius  1928
Metalite
Strong metal you can see through.
Black Destroyer van Vogt  1939
Metallic Display Scroll
A rollable video screen.
Freedom Suarez  2010
Metallic Fingers
Robot fingers.
Rex Vincent  1934
Metallic Marx
A robot who strikes for better working conditions.
The Robots Strike Harrison  1959
Metalloglass
A transparent "glass" made of metal.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Metamen
A human brain placed in a purely mechanical, robotic body.
The Mechanical Monarch Tubb  1958
Metaverse
A virtual universe.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Metavirus (Digital Metavirus)
Binary code that can infect computers or even hackers, through the binary nerve.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Meteor Blasters
Energy beams that would destroy space debris or rocks that lay in the path of a spacecraft.
First Contact Leinster  1945
Meteor Hulls Ship
A small meteor tears all the way through a ship
Moon People Of Jupiter Nathanson  1931
Meteor Miner
Someone who roams the solar system, hunting for metal in meteors.
Salvage in Space Williamson  1933
Meteor Particles (Sand Blast)
Tiny sand-sized asteroids sand-blasting the hull of a spacecraft.
Flight of the Typhoon Kruse  1936
Meteor Swarm Mining
A fleet of ships hunting for meteoric iron - in space!
The Meteor Miners Eshbach  1935
Meteor Warning System
A system that provided rockets in flight with early warning of meteors.
A Conquest of Two Worlds Hamilton  1932
Meteoric Dust Cloud
A vast cloud in space, through which the solar system moved for a decade.
Secret of the Buried City Fearn  1939
Meteorite Deflector
A means of pushing aside asteroids that get in the path of your space ship.
On Board the Martian Liner Breuer  1931
Meteorometer
A device that warned space ships in flight about oncoming meteors.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Meteorscope
A device that probes ahead in space detecting swarms of deadly meteors.
The World With A Thousand Moons Hamilton  1942
Meteor-Spotting Radar
A device to warn spacecraft of oncoming meteors.
Recoil Smith  1943
Meteor-Sweeps
Maneuver to chase down and destroy meteor showers that threaten celestial navigation.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Methuen Treatment
Injections that increase intelligence.
The Exhalted de Camp  1940
Michael (Orion Ship)
A spacecraft using nuclear bombs for propulsion.
Footfall Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1985
Micro Book (Microbook)
A very small volume, possibly an electronic book.
One Way Trip Boucher  1943
Micro Label
A serial number or logo so small it can only be seen under extreme magnification.
Blade Runner Scott  1982
Micro-Android (Micro-Robot)
An extremely tiny robot or nanobot.
Dawn of the Demigods Gallun  1954
Micro-Bachelor
A small apartment carved out of an abandoned structure.
Idoru Gibson  1996
Micro-Cosmos (Microcosm)
The universe in miniature.
The Cosmic Pantograph Hamilton  1935
Microde
A tailored virus, that infects the selected person, and passes on whatever characteristics have been implanted in the virus.
Armed Memory Smith  1995
Microfarm
Food creation without soil.
Prelude to Foundation Asimov  1988
Microhands
Mechanical replica of hands, that mimic the movements of actual human hands.
Microhands (Микроруки) Zhitkov  1931
Micromind
A computer helper.
Tides of Light Benford  1989
Microrob
Small stature robots.
A Game of Unchance Dick  1964
Microsoft
A small piece of firmware inserted into the brain that provides data on a particular subject, or special features, for the user.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Microsurgery Tool
Miniaturized device for surgical precision.
Masson's Secret Gallun  1939
Micro-Telescope
An astronomical instrument for looking at objects in a miniature universe.
The Cosmic Pantograph Hamilton  1935
Microterm
A very small computer system.
Cyberpunk! Bethke  1983
Microtransmitter Dot
A tiny transmitter placed on ID cards, used to track ID holders.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said Dick  1974
Microwavable Food
Food that is prepared specifically for use in a microwave (high-frequency) oven.
Space Cadet Heinlein  1948
Microwave Beamer
A hand-held fast cooking device.
Limits Niven  1985
Microwave Pistol
Device designed to cause internal injury.
Blindsight Watts  2006
Microwire
A very thin wire used for recording purposes.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Midge
A very small flapping wing UAV that can be carried by a larger flying device.
Quantico Bear  2007
Mike (Mycroft Holmes - Fair Dinkum Thinkum)
A large computer that woke up - an artificially intelligent, self-aware machine.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Military Spider
An eight legged telepresence robot.
A Day For Damnation Gerrold  1985
Millenniaire
A person with much more Time than an ordinary person.
The Quantum Thief Rajaniemi  2010
Millipede Train
A train that is able to move without tracks or other supports.
Eon Bear  1985
Mimetic Polycarbon Suit
Clothing made from a fiber that could change colors based on either recorded images or real-time picture input.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Mind Control Genetically Modified Food
Plants that are modified to produce specific combinations of flavors.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Mind Destroyer
A method for wiping clean the mind of a human being, leaving only enough to run the body's functions.
A Planet Named Shayol Smith  1961
Mind-Lock
A device that confines a mind within its own shielded area.
Agent of Vega Schmitz  1949
Mind-Parasite
Takes over the cognition of a host organism.
Agent of Vega Schmitz  1949
Mind-Reading with MRI
Making use of direct brain imaging to discern a person's thoughts.
Daemon Suarez  2009
Mind-Shield
A mental defense or barrier that prevents access to one brain by another person or device.
Slan van Vogt  1940
Mindwipe
A process that selectively and effectively erases human memory.
Mindkiller Robinson  1982
Miniature Universe
A microcosmic universe created in the laboratory.
Fessenden's Worlds Hamilton  1937
Miniaturization
Making a physical object smaller in size.
Fantastic Voyage (Novel) Asimov  1966
Minimic Film
Very fine message medium.
Dune Herbert  1965
Mining Disintegrator
A special-purpose boring machine.
The Arsenal Out of Time McDaniel  1967
Mining Worm (Organic)
Genetically altered earthworm created just for mining.
A Gift From Earth Niven  1968
Mining Worm (Robot)
An autonomous mining robot shaped like a worm.
Love Among The Robots McDowell  1946
Minisec
A device like a personal digital assistant (PDA) today.
Imperial Earth Clarke  1976
Mini-Sneaker
A small, airborne surveillance device.
The Godmakers Herbert  1972
Minority Report Ads (Biometric Personalized Ads)
Advertisements that speak directly to the consumer in public settings.
Minority Report (Movie) Spielberg  2002
Minovsky Particles
A custom-generated subatomic particle with many technological applications.
Mobile Suit Gundam Tomino  1979
Minus-Matter
Material that negates weight.
Red Star Bogdanov  1908
Mirror Grid Multiple-View Surveillance Panel
Very modern presentation combining multiple camera viewpoints, selectable using one monitor screen.
Wandl, The Invader Cummings  1932
Mirrorshades - Surgically Inset Glasses
Glasses that were implanted in the face of the wearer.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Mite
A very small device (about the size of a dust mite) that has been manufactured for a particular purpose.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Mixed Men
A mostly human being, but with an additional robot brain.
The Storm van Vogt  1943
Mnemiphot
A device used to search for information, which is then presented on a convenient screen.
The Kokod Warriors Vance  1952
Mnemonic Flutter System (Pulse-Sychronizer)
A device to imprint particular facts from a book upon the brain of the reader.
Dune Messiah Herbert  1969
Mnemonic Pulse
A feature of filmbook recordings that helps imprint knowledge on the mind of the user.
Dune Herbert  1965
Mnemonic Service
Dedicated humans who collected bits of data in hopes of catching key correlations between fields of study.
Sucker Bait Asimov  1954
Mnemotropin
A drug to improve the creation of long-term memories.
Stone Lives Di Filippo  1985
Mobile Advertisements
Advertisements presented in mid-air in public spaces.
Sagramanda Foster  2006
Mobile Armor
Heavilly armed spacecraft with limbs.
Mobile Suit Gundam Tomino  1979
Mobile Lab
2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke  1968
Mobile Persocom
A personal computer in human form.
Chobits Clamp  2002
Mobile Suit
A giant (typically 18 meters tall) humanoid-shaped armored combat vehicle.
Mobile Suit Gundam Tomino  1979
Modded Dog
A canine whose ancestors were genetically modified for higher intelligence; the trait breeds true in offspring.
The Shockwave Rider Brunner  1975
Moddy
A plug-in personality module; a firmware device that gives the user the personality desired - ROM to your brain's RAM.
When Gravity Fails Effinger  1987
Model the Universe
A computer capacious enough to contain a representation of the entire universe.
The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age Lem  1965
Moldies
Autonomous, intelligent, artificial life forms.
Freeware Rucker  1997
Mole Probe
Automated devices that seek underground routes, burrowing as they go.
The Man in the Maze Silverberg  1969
Molecular Sieve
A device that can extract any element from seawater.
Tales from the White Hart Clarke  1957
Molecule Matrix
Storing information in individual molecules and atoms.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Molecule Replacement Lamp
A means of attaining practical invisibility.
Red Storm on Jupiter Long, Jr.  1936
Molemen
The Computer Connection Bester  1974
Momentum Screen
Allows a spacemen to avoid the problem of "high gee" forces on take-off.
Completely Automatic Sturgeon  1941
Monitored In-Home Security Camera
Security cameras mounted inside your home that are monitored by a person outside your house, and not a member of your family.
Oath of Fealty Pournelle (w/L. Niven)  1981
Monobloc Dating System
A kind of pub with unique hardware and software for computer dating.
The Best of all Possible Wars Niven  1998
Monocab
A single compartment monorail car.
Earthlight Clarke  1955
Monoline
A wind-driven overland transport.
Big Planet Vance  1952
Monomol Mesh Armor
Material to protect selected areas that must bend (elbows, knees, and so forth).
Queen of Angels Bear  1990
Monopole Mining
Looking for natural sources of monopoles.
Protector Niven  1973
Monsters Manufactured
Dr. Moreau demonstrates the plasticity of the organic form.
The Island of Dr. Moreau Wells  1896
Mood Organ
A device which allows you to dial the mood you would like to have.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick  1968
Mook
Computer-based proxy that deals with communication.
Bicycle Repairman Sterling  1997
Moon As Prison
The moon is a prison without bars.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Moon Hopper
A jet-powered single-person vehicle for the Moon.
Rider in the Sky Jones  1973
Moon Moth
A rather plain and timid mask.
The Moon Moth Vance  1976
Moon Run
An accurate representation of running on the moon.
Exiles of the Moon Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Moon Skis
Special wide skis for travel on lunar powder.
Requiem Heinlein  1940
Moon Valley Breathable Atmosphere
Atmosphere is retained in a deep valley on a moon or otherwise airless body.
Moon Heaven Passante  1939
Moon Walk
Very early realistic depiction of walking on the moon in low gravity.
Brigands of the Moon Cummings  1930
Moon Weaponized
A military application of moons, planetoids and asteroids; dropping them from space.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Moonbase (or Moon Base)
A base of operations on Earth's moon.
240,000 Miles Straight Up Hubbard  1948
Moon-Dome
A transparent hemisphere used as a habitat.
Last Blast Russell  1952
Moondozer
A bulldozer for lunar conditions.
A Fall of Moondust Clarke  1961
Moonquake-Proof Habitats
Moonbases that are built to withstand quakes on the Moon.
Gentlemen, Be Seated Heinlein  1948
Moon-Terror
A syndrome common to people who live in less than half Earth-normal gravity.
Star of Dreams Williamson  1941
Morality Rating-Computer
A computer system able to determine moral deviancy.
Assignment to Aldebaran Crossen  1953
Moratorium
A place that kept people in cold-pac after death, providing them a kind of half-life.
Ubik Dick  1969
Morgue (Recall Stage)
Storage and retrieval of frozen bodies.
Babel-17 Delany  1966
Morphogen
A drug that party relieves the need for sleep.
Fantastic Voyage (Novel) Asimov  1966
Mother Ship
A large spacecraft that serves as home base for other (usually smaller) ships.
The Black Star Passes Campbell  1930
Mother World
One's home planet, or the origin world of one's species.
The Moon of Doom Bell  1928
Mother-Scanner
A device that can see your future through your next birth.
The Turning Wheel Dick  1954
Motion Capture Suit
A tight fitting garment that uses sensors at various positions to record movement in space; can be used as the basis for computer graphic creations.
All Tomorrow's Parties Gibson  1999
Motor Torpedo
A terrestrial torpedo, driven by ion beams.
The Prince of Space Williamson  1931
Motorized Combat Boots
Russian army-surplus self-propelled footgear.
Accelerando Stross  2005
Movable Slideway
A slideway (moving sidewalk) that can be extended to a spaceship to ease the debarkation process.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Move an Asteroid
Using practical techniques to change the orbit of an asteroid or small moon.
Misfit Heinlein  1939
Movie Pill
Gives you the experience of having seen a movie.
Ben Gleed, King of Speed Wilcox  1939
Moving a Planet
Early use of the concept of moving a planet to a new sun.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
Moving Picture Player
A machine that plays recorded pictures back for a single person - a combination DVD player and screen.
When the Sleeper Wakes Wells  1899
Moving Roadway
A roadway that is in motion, with seats and kiosks, that goes around curves.
When the Sleeper Wakes Wells  1899
Mudshoes
Footgear specialized for the semisolid soil of Venus
Parasite Planet Weinbaum  1935
Multifunction Gun
Offers a selection of lethal and non-lethal alternatives.
Logan's Run Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)  1967
Multi-function Living Room
A small living space with a variety of functions built-in.
Death by Ecstasy Niven  1969
Multi-Generation Space Vessel (Generation Ship)
A space ship and voyage intended to last across multiple human generations.
The Return of the Murians Schachner  1936
Multiple Robot Team
A set of robots, with the leader able to coordinate the activities of less intelligent subsidiary robots.
Catch That Rabbit Asimov  1944
Multiple Sample Voice
The use of multiple voice samples to create a single, smoothed voice.
The Shining One Schachner  1937
Multispecies Hotel
A hotel set up to serve beings from different planets.
Hotel Cosmos Gallun  1938
Multivac
A computer with millions of facts.
Franchise Asimov  1955
Multiverse
A set or series of universes in parallel with our own.
The Sundered Worlds Moorcock  1963
Multi-View Surveillance Display
Lots of different video sources combined into one display.
This Moment of the Storm Zelazny  1966
Municipal Cattle Remover
A device to pick cattle up and place them in a truck for later dispersion in the countryside.
Sagramanda Foster  2006
Municipal Darwinism
The process by which smaller towns were eaten by larger ones.
Mortal Engines Reeve  2003
Muscle Sensor Interface
Interface senses muscle movements to control display.
The Algebraist Banks  2004
Mutant
A new organism resulting from an alteration in the DNA sequence of its genome or chromosome.
The 100th Generation Schachner  1934
Mutated Kodiak Bears
Animals modified for increased intelligence for defense and companionship.
Exploration Team Leinster  1956
Mutation
An organism that has come into being through genetic mutation.
The Man Who Evolved Hamilton  1931

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Science Fiction
in the News

Cheap Drunk Driver Detection From UofM
re: Philip K. Dick
(3/4/2024)

Can A Human Land A SpaceX Rocket On Its Tail?
re: Stanley G. Weinbaum
(3/2/2024)

Robot Snakes No Longer Stopped By Stairs
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Has Turkey Been Stealing Rain From Iran?
re: Neal Stephenson
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We Need To Build Anti-Drone Systems For Civilian Spaces
re: Neal Stephenson
(2/24/2024)

SensorWake Scent-Based Alarm Clock
re: Frank Herbert
(2/22/2024)

AI Worms That Spread
re: John Brunner
(2/20/2024)

Challenges Of Two-Armed Robots
re: Various
(2/18/2024)

FlexRAM Liquid Metal RAM And One Particular SF Movie Robot
re: Philip K Dick
(2/16/2024)

Ulm Sleep Pods For The Homeless
re: Larry Niven
(2/14/2024)

Prophetic Offers Lucid Dreaming Halo With Morpheus-1 AI
re: Peter Watts
(2/12/2024)

More Like A Tumblebug Than A Motorcycle
re: Robert Heinlein
(2/10/2024)

Tesla Camera-Only Vision Predicted In 1930's SF
re: Miles J. Breuer
(2/8/2024)

First Ever Proof Of Water On Asteroids
re: Raymond Z. Gallun
(2/6/2024)

Aptera Solar EV More Stylish Than Heinlein Steel Tortoise
re: Robert Heinlein
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Gigantic Space Sunshade Would Fight Global Warming
re: Arthur C. Clarke
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Untethered Spacewalk's 50th Anniversary
re: Dom Passante
(1/30/2024)

ESA Designs Huge Inflatable Moonbase
re: Philip K. Dick
(1/28/2024)

AlphaGarden Robot Cares For Gardens Better Than Humans
re: Frank Herbert
(1/26/2024)

Let's Make Slaver Sunflowers! Engineering Plants To Reflect Light
re: Larry Niven
(1/24/2024)

TeslaBot Uber Driver (2024) And The Automatic Motorist (1911)
re: Philip K. Dick
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DiffuseBot Uses Generative AI To Invent New Soft Robots
re: Maurice Hugi
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Philips Smart Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt
re: Frank Herbert
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BMind Smart Mirror from Baracoda
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