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

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Device Name Book/Story Author Date
Saddle
A comfortable riding saddle - minus the horse.
The Big Front Yard Simak  1959
Saga
You become a part of the great adventures of history.
The City and the Stars Clarke  1956
SAL 9000
Successor to the HAL 9000.
2010: Odyssey Two Clarke  1982
Salamander
Name given to the fire trucks of the future, which carry kerosene rather than water, and are used to burn houses.
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury  1953
Sales Robot (Robot Salesman)
Fully automated robots giving untiring, incessant sales pitches to customers.
Sales Pitch Dick  1954
Sand Ship
A wind-powered vehicle in the desert.
The Martian Chronicles Bradbury  1950
Sandbenders
A highly customized computer system; the opposite of a box from Gateway or Dell.
Idoru Gibson  1996
Sandcrawler
A very large mobile home, used by jawas on the deserts of Tatooine.
Star Wars Lucas  1976
Sandsnork
A device like a snorkel that would provide air to a tent buried by a sand storm.
Dune Herbert  1965
Sandtrout Glove
A living glove, formed of live creatures.
Children of Dune Herbert  1976
Sand-Yacht (Land Schooner)
A vehicle that used wind power upon its sails to move on the land.
Cry Hope, Cry Fury! Ballard  1966
San-Ray Projector
Device produces a habit-forming, nerve-tingling ray that clouds the mind.
Hell Ship of Space Kummer, Jr.  1940
Sapho Juice
Unique substance enhanced the cognitive performance of Mentats.
Dune Herbert  1965
Sapience
The ability of a species to think, to reason with discernment and wisdom.
The Planet Entity Johnson (w/C.A. Smith)  1931
Sargasso Asteroid
A planetoid built from natural rock and the salvaged wreckage of space craft.
The Stars My Destination Bester  1956
Sargasso of Space
A "dead area" in which the gravitational fields of the planets are cancelled out.
The Sargasso of Space Hamilton  1931
Satellite Ion Cannon
Orbiting station armed with a particle beam weapon, used for surgical tactical strikes.
Command and Conquer Games  1995
Satellite Photography for Surveillance
Use of pictures taken from near Earth orbit for reconnaissance in a military operation.
The Prince of Space Williamson  1931
Satellite Search and Destroy
Destroying satellites in orbit.
The Shockwave Rider Brunner  1975
Scanner Palm
A document scanner implanted in the palm of the hand.
KOP Hammond  2007
Scanning-Disk Telescope
A telescope which uses a television-like monitor instead of an eyepiece.
The Power Planet Leinster  1931
Scarab Robot Flying Insect
A tiny flying robotic machine, used for surveillance.
The Scarab Gallun  1936
Sceneshifter
An automated display device that produced random pictorial presentations.
Last of the Masters Dick  1954
Scent-Organ
A device that output specified odors.
Brave New World Huxley  1932
SchoolBook
A standard-issue laptop computer for school use.
Little Brother Doctorow  2008
Schrieber Analyzer
Superior automatic air testing - for the discriminating space traveler.
Diabologic Russell  1955
Schrön Loop
Small data storage device; a USB chip that stores terabytes.
Hyperion Simmons  1989
Science Chair
Grown from your DNA for extra comfort.
Titanium Noir Harkaway  2023
Scientific Reincarnation
Technology to allow a person to transfer themselves to a new, healthy body.
Lord of Light Zelazny  1967
Scooter
Biotechnology working to bring you a better solar system - a creepy crawly created to do terraforming work on Jupiter's moon.
Against Infinity Benford  1983
Scop
Protein grown in bacteria-filled vats.
Islands in the Net Sterling  1988
Scout-Base
Artificial sphere functions as a frontier outpost.
Diabologic Russell  1955
Scramble Suit
A superthin membrane upon which are projected the characteristics of a million different people, it confers instant anonymity.
A Scanner Darkly Dick  1977
Screamer
An acoustic weapon.
The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge Harrison  1970
Screening Software
Rules-based software trained to eliminate spam email.
The Moat Egan  1991
Screensaver (Inventor of)
Screen savers are used to prevent phosphor burnout in CRTs, and to provide restful entertainment on computer screens.
Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein  1961
Scrith
The material used to build Ringworld; has remarkable tensile strength
Ringworld Niven  1970
Sculpted Teeth
Go beyond teeth whitening to shaped teeth - for a more modern smile.
Mona Lisa Overdrive Gibson  1988
Scuttle-bot
An all-purpose surveillance robot that climbed rather than flew.
Hella Gerrold  2020
Sea Robot
An enormous robot able to function in the ocean.
The Metal Monster (Jarvis) Jarvis  1943
Sealingsilk
Transparent and flexible material, even against hard vacuum in space.
The Beat Cluster Leiber  1961
Search Beams
Penetrating rays that disclose the contents of rooms, ships, etc.
Slaves of Mercury Schachner  1932
Search-Bug
An exploratory robot.
Autofac Dick  1955
Seashell Radio (Thimble Radios)
Small radios that fit into the ears like hearing aids or ear buds.
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury  1953
Security Guard Robot (Sentry Robot)
A robot that takes the place of a security guard in an office environment.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Security Restraint Field
A force field that restricts personal movement.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Seed Bomb
A tiny explosive that can be embedded under the skin.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said Dick  1974
Seeder Ramship
A spacecraft designed to travel from one star system to another , terrafoming worlds for use.
Rammer Niven  1991
Seetee Blinker
A marker of contraterrene matter (antimatter) asteroids, to aid in interplanetary navigation.
Collision Orbit Williamson  1942
Selectacol
A device that automates the interior design process, providing a choice of color schemes for a roomful of furniture.
The Godmakers Herbert  1972
Selected Melanin Boosting
The only way to get a designer tan.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Selective Electric Eye
A facial recognition device.
Exiles of the Moon Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Selective Television
A special kind of 'television' that let the user choose any scene around the world.
The Challenge of Atlantis Burks  1938
Selector Card
Pneumatic delivery of book films by using a mechanical form of data storage; selector cards - probably punch cards.
The Puppet Masters Heinlein  1951
Selektrogel
An over-the-counter gel to choose the sex of a child at conception.
And All The Stars A Stage Blish  1971
Selenium Photo-Electric Televisor
A specialized photo-electric cell.
A Daring Trip To Mars Valier  1931
Seleno-Cosmo-Tel
Device to automatically avoid asteroids or other bodies.
A Race Through Time Wandrei  1933
Self-Adjusting Furniture
Automatic adjustment for a perfect fit.
First He Died (Time and Again) Simak  1951
Self-Assembling Robots
Robots with the capacity to assemble themselves from components, and then switch themselves on.
The Witches of Karres Schmitz  1966
Self-Aware Robot
A robot that thinks and reasons for itself.
Rex Vincent  1934
Self-Charging Robot
A robot that is able to autonomously find an electrical outlet and plug itself in to recharge.
Callahan and the Wheelies Barr  1960
Self-Cleaning Autonomous Car
An automatic vehicle that keeps itself clean.
Sally Asimov  1953
Self-Cleaning Gym Suit
Removes the source of odor.
Oryx and Crake Atwood  2003
Self-Guided Rocket Bullets
A rifle made for airless environments shoots rocket bullets.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Self-Guided Tractors
A farm vehicle that drives itself.
At the Bottom of a Hole Niven  1966
Self-Healing Building
A building that responds to stresses or cracks in walls by healing the damaged portion.
The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista Ballard  1962
Self-Igniter
A self-lighting cigarette.
The Howling Bounders Vance  1949
Self-Lighting Cigarette
A cigarette with a matchhead built in.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Self-Maintaining Circuit Monitoring and Repair
A computer that monitors itself for repair.
Gramp and his Dog Quattrocchi  1952
Self-Opening Box
Don't show this to Apple.
Child's Play Tenn  1947
Self-Powered Broom
A broom for use in small apartments that cleans under its own power.
Ubik Dick  1969
Self-Propelled Road Mine
A small, lightweight mine able to travel at highway speeds; guides itself to a marked target.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Self-Propelled Space Suit
A vacuum suit with a means of propelling itself built in.
The Cavern of the Shining Pool Zagat  1937
Self-Propulsive Space Suit
A space suit outfitted with its own means of movement.
The Bluff of the Hawk Gilmore  1932
Self-Repairing Robot
A mechanism that can detect faults in itself and repair them.
Accidental Flight Wallace  1952
Self-Satisfied Door
A door that is much more satisfied with its functionality than it has any right to be.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Adams  1979
Self-Sealing Plastic
Transparent sheeting with a layer of material that would flow to staunch tiny leaks.
Asteroid of Fear Gallun  1951
Self-Selling Robot
A robot that sells itself.
Sales Pitch Dick  1954
Self-Service Cafeteria
Food on demand.
The Mechanical Monarch Tubb  1958
Self-Sufficient House
A single family residence that required no surrounding infrastructure.
Childhood's End Clarke  1953
Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction
An 'atomic fire' is started that consumes all matter in reach!
Atomic Fire Gallun  1931
Self-Sustaining Space Craft
A spacecraft ecosystem.
The Prince of Space Williamson  1931
Semi-Conducting Graphite-Gel
Computer brain structured like animal brain.
Callahan and the Wheelies Barr  1960
Semisentient Plastic
A durable coating that protects and preserves objects.
Ring Baxter  1994
Semuta
A combination of a specific drug and music, which penetrated to the deepest levels of consciousness.
Dune Herbert  1965
Sensitive Robot Fingers
Special sensory capabilities of robotic appendages.
The Exile of Time Cummings  1931
Senso-Cells
Sensors that recorded personal characteristics of the owners of a house, to better serve their needs.
The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista Ballard  1962
Sensor Arm
An extendable multipurpose sensor cluster.
Star Wars Lucas  1976
Sensory Skinsuit
A form-fitting garment with sensory connections.
Dream Park Niven (w/S. Barnes)  1981
Sensory-Syrynx
A complex musical instrument.
Nova Delany  1968
Sentient Econometrics
Use of artificial intelligence in economic forecasting.
Alpha Centauri Meier  1999
Sentient Room
A room constructed entirely of flesh, dominated by the personality of a geisha.
Schismatrix Sterling  1985
Sentry Trees
A set of trees that will allow only those with the safe signal to pass.
The Houses of Iszm Vance  1954
Separated At Birth Database
Missing persons database uses similarity to famous people.
Virtual Light Gibson  1993
Service Drones
Small flying construction and repair robots.
The Two Faces of Tomorrow Hogan  1979
Serving Robot
A non-humanoid robot designed to serve.
Space Viking Piper  1962
Servok
An 'automatic' or clock-set mechanism to perform simple tasks.
Dune Herbert  1965
Seven Vane Starship
A faster-than-light ship with seven vanes of energy controlled by human nervous systems.
Nova Delany  1968
Shadow People
Alien knowledge leads to alien results - for humans.
Way Station Simak  1963
Shadow Square
An enormous blind that orbits a star.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Shadow Square Wire
Very fine, very light, very strong wire.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Shari
A multipurpose net worn as clothing.
Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) St. Clair  1949
Shatter-Gun
A hand-held device that literally scrambles the brains of the victim.
The Houses of Iszm Vance  1954
Sheem Spider Robot
A robotic spider.
The Witches of Karres Schmitz  1966
Sheep Dip Isolator
A non-lethal malodorant weapon.
The Zap Gun Dick  1965
Sheep's Lozenge
The nutritious portion of an entire sheep, in one pill.
The Fatal Curiosity, or, A Hundred Years Hence Payn  1877
Shere
Destroys cells so that memory cannot be deduced from the cells of the person even in death.
Heretics of Dune Herbert  1984
Sherman
A sex robot.
Millenium Varley  1983
Shield
Early name for a defensive force field.
Skylark Three Smith  1930
Shiftsuit
A form of adaptive camouflage gear.
Matadora Perry  1986
Shigawire
A very fine wire, used as a recording medium (among other things).
Dune Herbert  1965
Ship Hull Thermobatteries
Solar activated and charged batteries built into the hull of a spacecraft.
The Ethical Equations Leinster  1945
Ship Pushes Moon
Altering the course of a small moon by pushing on it with a rocket motor.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Ship That Swims Under Water (Submarine)
A Ship that could swim under Water.
The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World Cavendish  1666
Shipboard Medical Treatment
An elaborate system to guard against infection in returning space explorers.
Contagion MacLean  1950
Ship's Artificial Gravity
A very early mention of the term.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Ship's Magnetic Plates (Magnetic Mooring)
Keeps a mining ship attached to the surface of an asteroid.
Asteroid of Gold Simak  1932
Ships Propelled By Light Pressure
Space ships that use light pressure from a distant source for propulsion
The Comet Doom Hamilton  1929
Ship's Telescope
A large telescope built into the main axis of the ship.
A Daring Trip To Mars Valier  1931
Ships With Legs
Space ships with mechanical limbs for walking the Earth.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Shipstone
A lot of power in a small, manufactured package.
Friday Heinlein  1982
Shock Hammock
Special netting oriented for pilots in high gee spacecraft.
Habit del Rey  1939
Shock-Absorbing Seats
Perfect for the many gravities of acceleration upon take-off.
Evans of the Earth-Guard Hamilton  1930
Shock-Rod
Knock out stick.
Mechanocracy Breuer  1932
Shoggoths
Bioengineered creatures, able to change shape, created for labor.
At the Mountains of Madness Lovecraft  1936
Short-Wave Surgical Knife
A means of performing an internal cut without breaking the skin.
Boomerang Russell  1953
Shovel-Handed Digging Machines
Huge multi-legged machines used to dig and manipulate earth.
The Onslaught From Venus Phillips  1929
Shuttle
A space craft that travels point to point in space.
Stars are Styx Sturgeon  1950
Shuttle Ship
A spacecraft that could take off from a planet, rendezvous with an object in orbit, and fly back to the surface like a glider.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Shuttlecraft
A small spaceship designed for short journeys.
Star Trek Unknown  1967
Sick Stick
Baton that induces vomiting upon contact.
Minority Report (Movie) Spielberg  2002
Sideglance Robe
A dress that is invisible or opaque, depending on how you look at it.
The Trouble With Bubbles Dick  1953
Sietch
A cave warren designed to protect a tribal community, with a population of thousands, with its own water supply in an endless desert.
Dune Herbert  1965
Sigfrid von Shrink
An automated therapist.
Gateway Pohl  1970
Sights
Sunglasses-mounted crosshairs (you'll need one with your skull gun).
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Signal Skin
Natural communication form for this species; skin that can spell out text.
The Algebraist Banks  2004
Silencer-Padding
Robots need to have special padding on the bottoms of their lower limbs, so they don't clank as they walk.
Robot Unwanted Keyes  1952
Silica Sphere (Dyson sphere)
An enclosed environment, excavated on Mars, and then placed into the heavens (it's Phobos)
Lost City of Mars Vincent  1934
Silk-Metal
A very tough fabric.
The Worlds of Tomorrow Wellman  1940
Silksteel
Material that has high tensile strength as well as high flexibility.
Alpha Centauri Meier  1999
Simicolor
Artificial coloring for the body.
This Immortal Zelazny  1966
SimStim
Stimulation of the brain and nervous system of one person using a recording (or live broadcast) of another person's experience.
Neuromancer Gibson  1984
Simulacrum (Sim)
An autonomous construct that is a perfect likeness to a human person.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Simulacrum Window
A 'window' that provides a realistic outdoor view in an interior room.
Tunnel in the Sky Heinlein  1955
Simulogs (Simulated Playmates)
Computer-generated playmates.
The Age of The Pussyfoot Brunner  1966
SIN (Single Identification Number)
Mona Lisa Overdrive Gibson  1988
Sinclair Molecule Chain
A monofilament fiber, used for strength.
A Gift From Earth Niven  1968
Single Seat Scooter
A self-service monocycle.
The Star King Vance  1964
Single Sheet Molecule
A counterfeit-proof way to output unique documents.
Dorsai! Dickson  1960
Single Vehicle Tunnel
A small diameter tunnel that accepts a single vehicle to a single destination.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Singleship
A spacecraft designed for use by one person.
Death by Ecstasy Niven  1969
Singularity
In science, a condition in which spacetime breaks down; in society, a technological advance causes social conditions to break down.
All The Time In The World Clarke  1952
Sintered Armorgel
A substance that is flexible when moved slowly, but which hardens upon external impact.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Skew-Flip Turnover
Used halfway to the destination by torch ships to slow for one's destination.
Have Space Suit - Will Travel Heinlein  1958
Skimmer
Low-flying, hovering vehicle.
Lost Ulysses Bade  1949
Skin Computer
A computer that looks like a tattoo, on a stretchable base.
Mariposa Bear  2009
Skin Suit
A very tight-fighting spacesuit, or disguise.
Dinosaur Beach Laumer  1971
Skin Toning
Using artificial means to effect a temporary change in skin color.
The Star King Vance  1964
Skinsuit
Wearable artificial, full-body skin.
Millenium Varley  1983
Skintight
Specialized space suit for low atmospheric pressure environments like Mars.
War Dogs Bear  2014
Skip-Glide
A means of using the atmosphere to delicately slow a space craft during re-entry.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Skitter
A small passenger vehicle, for two beings, which uses a steering bar. It is parked in a structure that parks and releases vehicles automatically.
The Dosadi Experiment Herbert  1977
Skrode
A small mobile platform designed for a legless race.
A Fire Upon The Deep Vinge  1992
Skull Alarm
Implanted wakeup call.
Millenium Varley  1983
Skull Bug
A small electronic device implanted in the cranium at birth; used for monitoring and control.
The Computer Connection Bester  1974
Skullgun
A pistol that is concealed in your cranium.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Sky Ceiling
Ceilings that consist of large screens, on which are presented images of the sky.
Return from the Stars Lem  1961
Skyball
Remote-controlled UAV.
A Day For Damnation Gerrold  1985
Sky-Bike
A human-powered floating bicycle built for use in lunar sports.
The Last Theorem Clarke (w/Pohl)  2008
Skycar
A personal means of transportation that flies.
Prima Donna 1980 Brown  1931
Skycycle
A flying Harley; motorcycle of the skies.
Handicap Niven  1967
Skydozer
Small spacecraft used to remove orbital debris.
A Little Further Up The Fox... Ewing  1987
Sky-Eye
A football-sized flying surveillance device.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Skyhook
Part dirigible, part plane.
West of Honor Pournelle  1976
Sky-Scoot
A patch of antigravity foil used for flying.
Dying of the Light Martin  1977
Slamhound
An automated assassination device with a keen sense of smell.
Count Zero Gibson  1986
Slaver Disintegrator
Sometimes used as a digging tool.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Slaver Stasis Field
A force field that protects everything inside it by creating a space in which time is suspended.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Slaver Sunflowers
Plants evolved to reflect light to burn natural enemies.
World of Ptavvs Niven  1965
Sleep Destroying Field
Causes lack of sleep.
Biddiver Sturgeon  1941
Sleep Pod
A special place for snoozing.
Mantis Boyce  1967
Sleep Set (Sleep Headset)
An electronic device for inducing deep sleep.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Sleep Surrogate
Pharmaceutical designed to make up for lost sleep.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Sleep Tube
A short, cylindrical living space.
Solstice Kelly  1985
Sleep-Inducer
A device that electronically imposes sleep on a human being.
Sunjammer Clarke  1963
Sleeping Plates
A pair of plates that nullify gravity for the being(s) sleeping between them. Is null gravity the answer to your sleep problems?
Neutron Star Niven  1966
Sleepshop
A quiet place to die.
Logan's Run Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)  1967
Sleeve Communicator
An electronic device controller built into clothing.
First Contact Leinster  1945
Sleeve Watch
Temporary watch imprinted on the sleeve of a chosen garment.
Dream Park Niven (w/S. Barnes)  1981
Slide Rule w/Radio Attachment
Slide rule communicates results immediately with computer.
Mission to the Stars van Vogt  1955
Slidewalk
A moving sidewalk; a conveyor belt for people.
Sanity Leiber  1941
Slideway
A slidewalk, or moving walkway, that moves people forward.
Beyond This Horizon Heinlein  1942
Sliver Gun
A firearm that shoots fine darts.
The Unreliable Perfumist St. Clair  1953
Sloth Pill
A medication to induce a kind of somnolence like short-term hibernation; used in air travel.
The Breach Hill  2020
Slow Glass (Scenedow)
A window made of Bose-Einstein Condensate that slows light to a snail's pace.
Light of Other Days Shaw  1968
Slow Glass Rod
A transparent glass rod that makes light travel so slowly that it can trap light within its depths.
The Exhalted de Camp  1940
Slow Gun
Device shoots slow projectiles that use neurotoxin.
Singularity Sky Stross  2003
Slow Pellet Stunner
A projectile device that throws darts in a manner calculated to get past a force shield.
Dune Herbert  1965
Slowboat
An interstellar craft carrying people.
The Ethics of Madness Niven  1967
Slowboat
Slower than lightspeed spacecraft used for interstellar colonization.
Protector Niven  1973
Slug
An underwater "barge", consisting of a giant tube for transporting oil.
Dragon in the Sea Herbert  1956
Smart Bike
A motorcycle with sophisticated systems for steering and balance.
Distraction Sterling  1998
Smart Bullet
Really a tiny missile capable of identifying and following a person.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Smart Contact Lenses
Contact lenses that have a built-in computer display.
Fast Times At Fairmont High Vinge  2001
Smart Dust
Very tiny computers.
The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age Lem  1965
Smart Gel
Intelligent paste made of neurons; spread upon a substrate for computing.
Starfish Watts  1999
Smart Lanes
Roadways that monitored, directed and controlled traffic.
Nanotime Kosko  1987
Smart Paper
A very slim thin-film transistor display.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Smart Piston Spokes
A car that uses a set of pistons that feels and reacts to the surface to move around.
Heavy Weather Sterling  1994
Smart Pizza Box
A container with microprocessor-based data processing capabilities built-in to the box.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Smart Rope
Long 'rope' consisting of a variety of intertwined cables with different properties; controlled with special glove interface.
Heavy Weather Sterling  1994
Smart Tag
A piece of graffiti, or a small sticker tag, that could survive being placed on walls designed to be self-cleaning.
All Tomorrow's Parties Gibson  1999
Smart Wallpaper
Wallpaper that can sense your mood and provide an appropriate color scheme.
Oryx and Crake Atwood  2003
Smartcab
An automated taxicab, fully self-driving, that can be summoned from a portable device.
Cyberpunk! Bethke  1983
Smartcoral Reef
An artificial coral reef that pulls water in for use in large communities.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Smarter People Having Fewer Children
The original argument that less suitable human pairs are having proportionally more children.
The Marching Morons Kornbluth  1951
Smartwheels
Special "wheels" that are actually sets of spokes that telescope to be as long as they need to be for a smooth ride.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Smoke Filter
Allows grizzled spacemen to smoke in space ships.
Misfit Heinlein  1939
Smoke Jets (Air Leak Detection)
A means of determining the location of air leaks in a building built on an airless moon.
The Great Dome of Mercury Zagat  1932
Smother-Charge
Molecularly-gimmicked explosive.
My Name is Legion Zelazny  1976
Snake Boring Truck
A long thin truck like a snake, with a boring tip.
Breakfast at Twilight Dick  1954
Snake Contact Lens
A pair of contact lenses designed to make you appear to have slit pupils, like a snake's.
All Tomorrow's Parties Gibson  1999
Sniffer Robot
A small robot that gathers odors from a crime scene for analysis.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Sniggertrance
The state of a person receiving a call mediated by a Taprisiot; interiorized consciousness accompanied by spastic, jerking body movements.
Whipping Star Herbert  1969
Sobriety Ray
A ray of a particular wavelength and intensity, that conferred instant sobriety on those it shone upon.
The Twonky Padgett  1942
Sodaluminum
Lightweight and tough!
Exiles of the Moon Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Soft Speaker
A device that sends a tightly-controlled beam of sound.
The Exhalted de Camp  1940
Soft Weapon
A device that changes its shape to alter its function.
The Soft Weapon Niven  1967
Softlight
Personality erasure via laser imprinted subliminal commands.
Softlight Sins Hamilton  1997
Sol
Familiar name for our own sun.
Out of Void Stone  1929
Solar Beam
Obtaining solar power by means of a direct connection with the sun.
The Long Way Smith  1944
Solar Car
A car the energy for which comes from the sun.
The Man Who Bought Mars Cross  1941
Solar Electric Paint - Black Power
A black-colored paint that can be sprayed on, making any surface a solar power generator.
The Woman in Del Rey Crater Niven  1995
Solar Energy Beam
A solar energy plant on Mercury provides power for projects all over the solar system.
Masquerade Simak  1941
Solar Engine
A space ship that gets it motive power from the rays of the sun.
A Matter of Size Bates  1934
Solar Flare System
Space-based parabolic reflector that focuses light for destructive purposes.
Mobile Suit Gundam Tomino  1979
Solar Power Apparatus
An ingenious device to gather solar energy, melt water, power a turbine and get hydrogen and oxygen fuel from ice.
A Daring Trip To Mars Valier  1931
Solar Power Generation
A very early description of the use of solar powered 'farms' for generating electrical power on a large scale.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Solar Power Screen
Absorb all solar energy, and emit electrical energy.
Let There Be Light Monroe  1940
Solar Reception Screen
A device for converting sunlight to electricity
The Roads Must Roll Heinlein  1940
Solar Sail (Light Sail)
A form of propulsion for spacecraft; a sheet of lightweight material reflects light from the sun or other light source.
Sail 25 Vance  1962
Solar Station
A satellite that gathers solar energy in space and then beams it to Earth (or other planetary surface).
Reason Asimov  1941
Solar Station Switch Room
A power station for the entire solar system.
Doom Over Venus Hamilton  1940
Solar Updraft Tower
A renewable-energy scheme that generates power from air movement inside a tall chimney.
Shortstack Richmond  1964
Solar Yacht
A space craft whose motive power is light pressure on a solar sail.
Sunjammer Clarke  1963
Solar Yacht Periscope
A device used in the small cabin of a solar yacht.
Sunjammer Clarke  1963
Solar-Powered Aircraft
A plane powered entirely by solar energy.
The Black Star Passes Campbell  1930
Solar-Powered Ball
An autonomous round toy that powers itself.
Dawn of the Demigods Gallun  1954
Solar-Powered Electric Helicopter
An electric helicopter, with sun cells.
Into the Meteorite Orbit Kelly  1933
Solar-Powered Electric Runabout
A vehicle powered from the sun.
Let There Be Light Monroe  1940
Solar-powered Prefab House
A pre-built house that can live off the grid.
Ring Around the Sun Simak  1952
Solar-Powered Robot
A robot powered by sunlight.
Rust Kelleam  1939
Solar-Powered UAV
An unmanned aerial vehicle that is entirely solar-powered.
Changeling Zelazny  1980
Soletta
An array of solar sail mirrors that focus light onto a planetary surface for power.
Green Mars Robinson  1995
Solid Power
A concentrated form of easily accessed energy to supply any need.
Revolt on the Tenth World Hamilton  1940
Solido
Abbr. for solidograph; a device that produced a solid three dimensional image.
Chance of a Lifetime Lesser  1956
Sol-Ido
The universal language of interplanetary travelers.
Water-Bound World Vincent  1932
Solido Projector
Projects 3-dimensional images.
Dune Herbert  1965
Solidograph
Long distance projection of three-dimensional images.
Gather, Darkness! Leiber  1943
Solidograph-Projector
A device that projected a 3D image of objects or a person.
Police Operation Piper  1948
Sonabarrier
A type of energy fence, used to keep birds away from particular areas.
The Dosadi Experiment Herbert  1977
Sonar Pistol
A device that divers can use to find seabottom and objects in extremely dark or murky water.
Starfish Watts  1999
Sonic Curtain (Sound Lock)
An undersea sound curtain that keeps larger animals out.
My Name is Legion Zelazny  1976
Sonic Fold
Force field that guides air around an air vehicle.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Sono-Induction Coils
A public address system consisting of buried coils.
The Shining One Schachner  1937
Sonomagnetic Fabric
Cloth that gathers sound energy.
Earth Brin  1990
Soot-Extractor Nostril Plugs (Antisoot Plugs)
A small device worn to filter industrial pollutants out of breathing air.
The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)  1952
Sound Analysis
Improving language teaching by showing the waveform of a spoken word or phrase, and comparing it to standard speech.
Assignment in Eternity Heinlein  1953
Sound Deadener
Device that acts to damp excessive noise produced by different species.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Sound Nullifier
A barrier to sound; the cancellation of sound waves.
Prima Donna 1980 Brown  1931
Sounding Projectile
Provides a way to tell whether there’s a soldid surface on a cloudy planet.
Mad Robot Gallun  1936
Sound-Killing Air Fluid
A means to eliminate all of the noise made by machines in a city, leaving the voices of human beings.
The Noise Killer McNeill  1930
Sound-Transposing Machine
A device that scans a printed page and reads it out loud.
The Lost Language Keller  1934
Sours
The odor created in enclosed space environments due to the need for bacilli for healthy soil.
Schismatrix Sterling  1985
Space Ark
A very large ship used to transport a large group of people.
Decision Illogical Wilkinson  1948
Space Armor
Armored space suits for use in vacuum.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Space Beacon
An ordinary sun is transformed into a beacon for use by spacecraft when in hyperspace.
Troubled Star Smith  1952
Space Bubble (Bubb)
An inflatable spacecraft.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Space Buoy
A marker in space.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Space Cadet
A young person training to be a spaceman.
Sunward Flight Zagat  1943
Space Capsule
A minimal space craft.
Space Capsule James  1954
Space Charts
A pictorial representation of suns in space.
After World's End Williamson  1939
Space Craft
A ship that travels through the airless void of space.
Night-Thing Allen  1929
Space Craft Rope Ladder
Equipment used for debarking from a space craft.
Diabologic Russell  1955
Space Dock
Like a port for spacecraft; they can deliver their passengers and cargo.
Diamond Planetoid Giles  1937
Space Elevator (Orbital Tower)
A physical link between a point on the surface of the Earth and a satellite in geosynchronous orbit.
The Fountains of Paradise Clarke  1978
Space Fleet
A group of mighty ships capable of space travel - and fighting.
Through the Meteors Morrow  1930
Space Flight Simulator
Very early description of a way to practice flying in space while still on Earth.
Space Tug Leinster  1953
Space Force
That branch of the military with a presence outside the atmosphere.
Wandl, The Invader Cummings  1932
Space Freighter
A large spacecraft used for heavy cargo; can lift off from the Earth or other planets.
The Space Rover Sloat  1932
Space Laboratory
A specialized space station, for scientific research.
Crystalized Thought Schachner  1937
Space Lawyer (Sky-Lawyer)
A lawyer with special knowledge of space law.
Jurisdiction Schachner  1941
Space Legs
The ability to walk under high gee acceleration on a space ship.
Flight of the Typhoon Kruse  1936
Space Liner
A large, passenger-carrying space ship.
On Board the Martian Liner Breuer  1931
Space Lock
An airlock on a spacecraft.
The Black Star Passes Campbell  1930
Space Madness
The monotony of space travel could drive you crazy.
A Daring Trip To Mars Valier  1931
Space Marines
A space-based military force.
Misfit Heinlein  1939
Space Men
Beings who travel and work in space.
The Exiles of Venus Vanny  1931
Space Mittens
Protect your hands in space.
Space Flotsam Gallun  1934
Space Navy
Spacefaring professional soldiers.
Pirates of Space Barry  1931
Space Overalls
Light-duty space suit.
Lost Rocket Wellman  1941
Space Phobia
When astronauts have had enough.
Let 'em Breathe Space! del Rey  1953
Space Pirate
Space ships taken against their will.
Evans of the Earth-Guard Hamilton  1930
Space Placers
Miners who use placer mining techniques adapted from Earth geology.
The Day We Celebrate Bond  1941
Space Platform
The Space Platform for Checking Aggression is a military orbital weapons platform.
The Morning of the Day They Did It White  1950
Space Rush
The Outer Space equivalent of the gold rush.
Jurisdiction Schachner  1941
Space Sailing
Using the solar wind to propel a space vessel.
The World, The Flesh And The Devil Bernal  1929
Space Scurvy (Kenoalgia)
A wasting disease of space travel.
Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) St. Clair  1949
Space Shuttle
A space-going vessel for trips from the surface of a planet to a ship in orbit, and back.
Hell Ship of Space Kummer, Jr.  1940
Space Socks
Protective garments for the lower extremities.
Lost Rocket Wellman  1941
Space Station
A base of operations in space, typically in orbit around a larger body.
Backlash Williamson  1941
Space Station One
Describes an early space station similar to the International Space Station, that grew over time by accretion.
The Sands of Mars Clarke  1951
Space Suit
Special protective gear worn as protection in space.
The Emperor of the Stars Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Space Tanned
A tan acquired by being exposed to sunlight while outside the atmosphere.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Space Tramp
An old, slow spacecraft.
The Invisible World Repp  1940
Space Transfer Station
An orbiting space station primarily used as a stepping-off point from Earth.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Space Travel
Human movement through outer space.
A Baby on Neptune Harris (w/MJ Breuer)  1929
Space Tug
A small vessel used to maneuver other ships.
Murder on the Asteroid Binder  1933
Space Tugs
Early use of familiar ocean vehicle in space.
Describe a Circle Russell  1942
Space Tunnel
An enclosed gang plank extended between space ships.
The Man Who Bought Mars Cross  1941
Space Wagon
A space vehicle without a cabin, used for short-range towing.
Space Tug Leinster  1953
Space Walk
Standard term for moving through the void of space.
Moon Heaven Passante  1939
Space Warp
The very fabric of space-time.
Redmask of the Outlands Schachner  1934
Space Weakness
Early description of what happens to the human body in zero gravity.
Space Tug Leinster  1953
Space Weather Map
A map that details hazardous space conditions.
The Storm van Vogt  1943
Space-Armor
Special shielding worn against rays and explosives.
Revolt of the Star Men Gallun  1932
Space-Beacon
Device used to guide a space craft into finding an inhabited planet or colony on a planet.
Exploration Team Leinster  1956
Spaceboat
Runabout for outer space.
Waves of Compulsion Gallun  1932
Space-Boat
A small space-worthy craft for use in emergencies.
Revolt of the Star Men Gallun  1932
Space-Boat (Rocket Boat)
Small craft designed for descent and then take-off from a planetary surface.
Exploration Team Leinster  1956
Space-Boots
Special footgear for spacemen.
The Passing of Ku Sui Gilmore  1932
Space-Burned
Analogous to sun-burned.
Collision Orbit Williamson  1942
Space-Contraction Drive
Slip through endless interstellar space by making the distance smaller.
After World's End Williamson  1939
Space-Court
The place of judgement for crimes committed in interstellar space.
Murder in the Void Hamilton  1938
Spacecraft Ejection Seat
An ejection seat for spacecraft, to be used in the event of problems during launch.
Space Tug Leinster  1953
Spacecraft Invisibility Electronics
A means of rendering a spacecraft invisible to detection by electromagnetic means.
One Against The Legion Williamson  1939
Spacecraft Landing Wings
A means of cutting speed from orbit, then landing.
Vandals from the Moon Marius  1928
Spacedog
Experienced hands on space ships.
A Question of Salvage Jameson  1939
Space-Dory
A small spacecraft sometimes used as a life boat.
Asteroid Justice Thiessen  1947
Space-Drive
A means of providing propulsion for a spacecraft.
Invaders From The Infinite Campbell  1932
Spacefaring
A nation or people who explore and trade in space.
Citizen of the Galaxy Heinlein  1957
Spacegram
Telegrams of the space lanes.
An Adventure on Eros Haggard  1931
Space-Helmet
A 'fishbowl-style' head covering for space explorers.
The Sargasso of Space Hamilton  1931
Spacehound
An experienced spaceman.
Spacehounds of IPC Smith  1931
Spacehound (Beast)
Oddly canine, telepathic beast digs in asteroids for metal.
Beast of Space Hardart  1941
Space-Lanes
Well-traveled routes through outer space.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Spacelanes Traffic Jam
Fanciful description of commuters in space.
Sales Pitch Dick  1954
Space-Liner
A passenger ship in space.
Twelve Hours To Live Williamson  1931
Spaceplane (Clarke-class)
An inexpensively powered flight to low earth orbit.
A Quantum Murder Hamilton  1998
Spaceport
A location on the surface of a planet used for launching vehicles into space.
The Birth of a New Republic Breuer (w/J. Williamson)  1930
Space-Post
A trading post in space.
Episode On Dhee Minor Walton  1939
Space-Sailor
A spaceman; someone who makes his living by voyaging in space.
The Star-Roamers Hamilton  1933
Space-ship
A space-going vessel.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Spaceship Garden
A fully-enclosed garden on a spaceship producing edible foodstuffs.
The Heritage of the Earth Aldinger  1932
Space-Sick
Uneasiness associated with space travel.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Space-Split
Access to other dimensions provided by splitting space itself.
The Star of Life Hamilton  1947
Space-Suit Rockets
Attached rockets allow movement in zero-gee space.
Into the Meteorite Orbit Kelly  1933
Spacesuit Testing
A device and method for testing spacesuits.
The Shot Into Infinity Gail  1929
Space-Tanned
The characteristic darkening of the men of the spaceways.
Slaves of Mercury Hammond  1932
Space-Tent
A small, portable air-tight structure used on the lunar surface.
The Lunar Chrysalis Gallun  1931
Spacewalk
Going outside your space craft for a short time.
Edison's Conquest of Mars Serviss  1898
Space-Walker
Tall cylinder with a window at eye-level, and pincer-claws controlled by the wearer.
The Universe Wreckers Hamilton  1930
Spaceward Lunar Hemisphere
Another name for the lunar far side.
Dawn of the Demigods Gallun  1954
Spacewarp Drive
A means of faster-than-light travel.
What Mad Universe Brown  1949
Spaceways
A set route though space.
Shambleau Moore  1933
Space-Weather Men
Predictors of the 'weather' in space.
Revenge of the Robots Chandler  1952
Spaceyacht
Interplanetary spacecraft for the well-to-do.
The Sargasso of Space Hamilton  1931
Spark Plug (Systematician)
A person who draws information from diverse areas of knowledge.
Dream Thief Lawhead  1983
Sparkers
A device used to deliver small amounts of electric current to chirpsithra, who use it for the same reason humans use alcohol.
Niven's Laws Niven  1984
Spatial-Postal Card
Mail from home - that hungry soldiers can also eat.
Bill the Galactic Hero Harrison  1965
Speaker Chips
Integrated circuit chips placed in books; they could read the book and advertise it.
Darwin's Children Bear  2003
Speakwrite
A dictation machine that also transcribes the speech into typed words.
1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) Orwell  1948
Specialized Prosthetic Arm
A set of prosthetics that provide different functionality in place of missing arm.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Specific Gene Weapon
An organic or inorganic weapon aimed at a specific genetic population.
The Mannichon Solution Shaw  1967
Specimen Track
A means for transporting laboratory specimens from one workstation to another in an automated lab.
Darwin's Children Bear  2003
Spectro-Flash Analysis
Device for determining the content of meteorites.
Salvage in Space Williamson  1933
Spectroscopic Robot Converter
Accepted the return of soft x-ray radiation, and translated it into Fraunhofer spectra.
Diamond Planetoid Giles  1937
Spectrumoscope
Provides sight directly to the brain-cells of the sightless.
Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 Heller  1930
Speedcap
Short for speed capsule (?); sometimes, going ballistic is the fastest way to get there.
Millenium Varley  1983
Speedtalk
A constructed language that uses a single sound to stand for a word, achieving great improvements in communication speed.
Assignment in Eternity Heinlein  1953
Spetsdöd
A unique gun that is part of the shooter.
The Man Who Never Missed Perry  1985
Spex (Spexware)
Video glasses with computer assistance.
Deep Eddy Sterling  1993
Spherical Tires
Tires that are shaped like balls, rather than like squat cylinders.
The Death's Head Meteor Jones  1930
Spice (Melange)
The spice must flow.
Dune Herbert  1965
Spider
A robotic device that both extruded cable and climbed along it; a space construction robot.
The Web Between the Worlds Sheffield  1979
Spider Robot
Scuttling insect robots.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Spider Robot
Tiny spider-sized robots that are able to search buildings and identify occupants.
Minority Report (Movie) Spielberg  2002
Spider Space Elevator Test Vehicle
A robotic testing device for the cables of a space elevator.
The Fountains of Paradise Clarke  1978
Spider Tripod Robot
Three-legged alien robot.
Rendezvous With Rama Clarke  1972
Spindizzy
A device that made use of a relationship between electron spin, electromagnetism and gravity allowed any object to leave the Earth's surface.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Spine-Clamp
A device that constrains the movements of convicted criminals.
Anathem Stephenson  2008
Spinner Ship
Pinwheel rockets created centrifugal forces like gravity.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Spinnerettes
A device that will unspool a nanowire filament and then pull it back in.
The Fountains of Paradise Clarke  1978
Spinning Mill for Veins (Artificial Organs)
The manufacture of artificial organs, digestive tract, veins - body parts.
R.U.R. Capek  1920
Spinning Pressurized Drum
Put a spin on just a part of a space station.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Splashdown
The use of water as a medium for landing one's space ship in.
From the Earth to the Moon Verne  1867
Spook
A drink that comes unflavored in a container; twist the cap to add flavor.
SOLACE Noon  1998
SPOOKS
A live-action role playing (LARP) game that lets ordinary people play at being secret agents.
Halting State Stross  2007
Spotcast
A new form of one-to-many communication.
The Little Things Kuttner  1946
Spotlight of Heat (Orbital Microwaves)
Using an orbiting satellite microwave array to heat a specific portion of a planetary surface.
Fallen Angels Niven w/Pournelle, Flynn  1991
Spot-Wavex Scrambler
Provides a more personalized experience of television, by letting the announcers talk to you personally.
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury  1953
Spray-Foam Blouse
Clothing that is sprayed on fresh.
Galactic Pot-Healer Dick  1969
Spray-On Clothing
Body coverings from a spray can.
Return from the Stars Lem  1961
Spray-On Clothing Web
A 'web' clothing foundation that can be sprayed on and then molded by a couturier.
Abercrombie Station Vance  1952
Spray-On Gloves
Fashionable evening gloves that are sprayed onto the hand and arm.
Abercrombie Station Vance  1952
Spray-on Surgical Gloves
Effective glove for surgeons that is skin tight.
Altered Carbon Morgan  2003
Sprayrock
Special compound that can be sprayed onto a surface, that hardens into rock.
Pushing Ice Reynolds  2005
Spring-Rifle
Projectile weapon designed to be resistant to countermeasures.
Dorsai! Dickson  1960
Sprung-Samser Treatment
A medical treatment to extend human life.
This Immortal Zelazny  1966
Spy Beam
A surveillance device that projects energy into a room, revealing conversation taking place.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Spy Ray Goggles
A form of radiation that can penetrate walls to allow the user to 'see' what is happening on the other side.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
Spy-Eyes
Tiny robotic surveillance devices fly using propellers.
Manners of the Age Fyfe  1952
Squeaker
Used to search out radium in asteroids.
Beast of Space Hardart  1941
Squib
A simple form of ground transportation.
Our Friends From Frolix 8 Dick  1970
SSA Machine
A machine that compares two people for compatibility; it sees sub specie aeternitatis, literally 'under the aspect of eternity' or outside of time.
Galactic Pot-Healer Dick  1969
Stage Balloon
A regular means of conveyance, like a train or carriage.
The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century Loudon  1828
Standish
A beam weapon of frightful intensity.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
Star Base
An installation or station at an important interstellar location.
Star Base X Williams  1944
Star Drive
The propulsion unit for an interstellar space craft.
Genius Anderson  1948
Star Machine
A device that serves as a boost to psychokinetic powers of mind, enabling paranormals to send their awareness to distant planets.
Time is the Simplest Thing Simak  1961
Star Stone (Speicus)
An artificial intelligence shaped like a rock, which can communicate with living organisms telepathically.
Doorways in the Sand Zelazny  1976
Star Travel
Undertaking a journey between the stars.
Forgotten World Hamilton  1946
Stardrive
Propulsion method that quickly brings a ship's speed to nearly that of light.
Childhood's End Clarke  1953
Star-Globe (Ship)
A spherical spacecraft.
Brother Worlds Gallun  1951
Starlight Sail (Light Sail)
A light sail capable of sailing between solar systems.
The Lady Who Sailed The Soul Smith  1960
Starship
A vehicle for space travel.
War in Space Quiex  1926
Starways
The well-traveled paths from star to star.
Blood of the Moon Cummings  1936
Starwisp
An small interstellar probe using a light-sail for propulsion.
Accelerando Stross  2005
Stasis (Cold Sleep, Hibernation)
Hibernation for human beings, lasting for many years.
The Door Into Summer Heinlein  1956
Stasis Box
A space entirely enclosed by a Slaver stasis field, in which time does not pass.
There is a Tide Niven  1968
Stasis Field
Energy field which prevents time from passing inside the field walls; no time passes, nobody gets hurt.
Beyond This Horizon Heinlein  1942
Static Field
A defense against a spy beam.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Static House
A house that was once fully psychotropic and malleable, but which had been frozen in one configuration.
The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista Ballard  1962
Stationary Automatic Blaster
An automated defensive blaster.
Red Planet Heinlein  1949
Stationary Sidewalk
A sidewalk that is fixed permanently in one location; not a sliding walkway.
Exiles of the Moon Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Stealth House
A home that is entirely sealed, leading to toxic buildup.
Virtual Light Gibson  1993
Steam Horse
A remarkable mechanical beast.
Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) Souvestre  1846
Steam Man
A mechanical robot powered by steam.
The Steam Man of the Prairies Ellis  1868
Steam Rifle
A gun that propels projectiles with steam.
Omnivore Anthony  1968
Steam-Propelled Moving Houses
Otherwise ordinary residences that move from place to place, powered by steam.
The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century Loudon  1828
Steel Drugs
A name for recreational chemicals that were entirely synthetic.
Islands in the Net Sterling  1988
Steel Teeth
Artificial teeth welded to the bone.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick  1965
Steel Tentacle
Flexible robotic steel limbs that can both support a vehicle and grasp objects.
The War of the Worlds Wells  1898
Steel Tortoise
An all-terrain vehicle, grandfather to the four-wheeler.
Coventry Heinlein  1940
Steel-Lined Space Boots
In combination with a magnetized floor, allows the user to walk in zero gravity.
Roamer of the Stars Wilson  1938
Steelonium
A remarkable kind of steel that did not rust or corrode.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Steering a Star
Steering a star, altering its path, taking it to a new location.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Stellar Analog Computers
Special systems used to calculate safe "jumps" for interstellar trips.
The Lady Was A Tramp Sharon  1957
Stellarimeter
Used by space navigators.
Babel-17 Delany  1966
Stellene
A tough, transparent material used to make domes or even spacecraft.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Stepping Discs
Open air teleportation pads.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Stereo Tank
A receiver for three-dimensional televised images.
Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein  1961
Stereoscopic Vernier and Cube
A means of photographing in depth.
Sinister Barrier Russell  1939
Stereovision Tank
Three dimensional mass media (the grandson of television).
Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein  1961
Sterile Seeds
Seeds that are bioengineered to grow, but not to produce fertile seeds.
The Calorie Man Bacigalupi  2005
Stick-Tight
A general term for surveillance devices that will follow a subject and record speech or video.
The Star King Vance  1964
Stiletto Beam
A beam of molten metal, projected electromagnetically.
Earthlight Clarke  1955
Stillsuit
It covers almost the entire body, provides cooling and ensures that almost no moisture is lost.
Dune Herbert  1965
Stillsuit Desert Boots
Special boots that offered parasitic power harvesting.
Dune Messiah Herbert  1969
Stilltent
A small, sealable enclosure which reclaimed moisture from the breath of occupants.
Dune Herbert  1965
Stilt-Legged Chairs (Walking Chairs)
An alien conveyance.
Vandals from the Moon Marius  1928
Stim-Crib
A cradle that provides virtual reality experiences to tiny tots.
Natulife Brin  1994
Stimic
A musical instrument consisting of three flutelike tubes equipped with plungers; thumb and forefinger squeeze a bag to force air across the mouthpieces.
The Moon Moth Vance  1976
Stimsuit
An elastic suit worn to decrease the effects of micro-gravity in space.
Heavy Time Cherryh  1991
Stimtab
A drug designed to keep the user awake and alert for long periods.
The Forever War Haldeman  1974
Stone Burner
Atomic weapon which burrows deep into a planet; its radiation also attacks selected nerve tissues.
Dune Messiah Herbert  1969
Stopper Bubble
Device that halts time within its boundaries.
Red Lightning Varley  2006
Storer-Gulls Wings
Recreational aid for lunar colonists; lightweight wings for cave flying.
The Menace From Earth Heinlein  1957
Straightening the Earth's Poles
By means of a suitable force, push the Earth until the planet's axis of rotation is perpendicular to the ecliptic.
The Purchase of the North Pole (Topsy Turvy) Verne  1889
Strakh
The prestige or social prominence which serves as a medium of exchange on the planet Sirene.
The Moon Moth Vance  1976
Stratocar
A vehicle intended for use in traveling through the upper atmosphere.
The Cavern of the Shining Pool Zagat  1937
Stratoplane
An airplane that flies up to the edge of the atmosphere.
Colossus Wandrei  1934
Stratospheric Traffic
Bad traffic at every level.
The Great God Awto Smith  1940
Stratovideo (Television Plane)
An aircraft with studios that continuously broadcast line-of-sight television.
The Morning of the Day They Did It White  1950
Stratoyacht
A privately-owned pleasure craft capable of attaining orbit.
Sunward Flight Zagat  1943
Structural Scanning
Essentially, a whole-object camera, that would take a detailed picture of the structure of an object.
Assassin Hogan  1978
Stun Pistol
A hand-held device that causes unconsciousness.
Foundation and Empire Asimov  1952
Stunner
A non-lethal weapon; typically used like a firearm but only renders its victim unconscious.
Fire-Power Gottesman  1941
Stunwand
Hellstrom's Hive Herbert  1972
Sub-Atlantic Tube
A tunnel under the ocean; the shortest distance between the two points.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Sub-C
Of ships, older models that travel at speeds below that of light.
The Impossible Planet Dick  1953
Subcutaneous Overlay
An implanted chip that provides a continuous drug experience for months.
The Mountain in the Sea Naylor  2022
Subdermal Microchannels
A means of personal adornment; think of day glow tattoos.
Stone Lives Di Filippo  1985
Sub-Etha Sens-O-Matic
A device which senses passing spacecraft; essential tool of interstellar hitchhikers
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Adams  1979
Sub-Etheric
Below the level at which ordinary light is propagated.
Legion of Time Williamson  1938
Subjunctivisor
Projects a possible future, based on your own impressions.
The Worlds of If Weinbaum  1935
Subliminal Billboards
Enormous outdoor billboards that are totally blank - or are they?
The Subliminal Man Ballard  1963
Submarine Tube
A means of transport between Europe and North America via underwater tubes.
An Express of the Future Verne  1895
Sub-microscopic Medical Robots
Tiny robots travel the bloodstream, killing bacteria.
These Savage Futurians High  1967
Subphoton Search Ray
A special ray beam that penetrates into hidden bunkers; images are caught on special film cameras.
The Shining One Schachner  1937
Sub-Space
A dimension or a transmission medium other than our own, which allows faster-than-light communication or movement.
Crystallized Thought Schachner  1937
Substance D
An addictive, psychoactive drug.
A Scanner Darkly Dick  1977
Subtle Knife
A knife able to cut through any material, and even cut through into different worlds.
The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2 Pullman  1997
Subvocal Input Device
Attached sensors read nerve signals to determine what the user will say next.
Earth Brin  1990
Suction Mail Tube
An evacuated tube system carrying mail to residences.
The Illustrated Man Bradbury  1951
Suicide Tooth
A false tooth containing poison.
Lies, Inc. Dick  1964
Suit Designer
Mona Lisa Overdrive Gibson  1988
Suitcase Airplane
A diminutive, collapsible, two-passenger biplane.
Suitcase Airplanes Skinner  1929
Suit-Phone
A means of wireless communication between individuals dressed in space suits.
The Sargasso of Space Hamilton  1931
Suit-Radio
A means of communication between two individuals clad in space suits.
The Long Way Smith  1944
Suit-Shield Fabric
A kind of mesh fabric that could absorb energy bolts.
The Golden Man Dick  1954
Sun Dome
Used on Venus to give relief from the endless rain.
The Illustrated Man Bradbury  1951
Sun Goggles
Lenses darken in spots to block the brightness of alien suns.
Grendel Niven  1968
Sunlight Blocker
A roughly circular field which denies sunlight to an area of a planet.
Childhood's End Clarke  1953
Sunparlor
A vast esplanade enclosed in glass, to permit sunbathing without leaving an immense building.
The Cubic City Tucker, D.D.  1929
Sunpower Screen
A solar cell array used to provide power for a vehicle.
Coventry Heinlein  1940
Sun-Powered Ionic Drive Motor
A rocket propulsion system that takes solar energy to power an ion drive.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Sun-Quilt
A colorful fabric with a silvered backing used to shield the interior of a living-globe from excessive sunlight.
The Beat Cluster Leiber  1961
Sunray Tank
A device that stores sunlight itself for use as an energy source.
Warlord of Mars Burroughs  1914
Sun-Room
On a planet-wide city, the only way to get some sun without going to the roof.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Sunshade-Photocell Collector
A fanciful design for a device that gathers solar energy.
Earth Brin  1990
Sunshades
Sunglasses that darken and lighten based on ambient lighting.
This Immortal Zelazny  1966
Sunship
A space craft powered entirely by the sun.
The Prince of Space Williamson  1931
Sun-Telephone
Receives transmissions from the sun itself.
In the Deep of Time Lathrop  1897
Sun-Tube
A slicing ray of death!
Slaves of Mercury Schachner  1932
Sunward
The direction leading toward the center of the solar system.
The Space Rover Sloat  1932
Superacid
Smart acids that could be created to ignore particular compounds and dissolve others.
Nanotime Kosko  1987
Superconductor of Heat
A light metal that accepts heat applied to its surface, and then dissipates the energy throughout the material, leaving the temperature of the material unchanged.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Superluminal
Faster than the speed of light.
Patterns of Chaos Kapp  1972
Super-Photon
Three photons in one.
Invaders From The Infinite Campbell  1932
Superscraper
Buildings that are hundreds of stories tall.
New York 2140 Robinson  2017
Supertank
An air-cushioned armored combat vehicle powered by a fusion generator.
Hammer's Slammers Drake  1979
Supervision Robot (Squid)
A wheeled device with tentacular grasping limbs.
Paradise and Iron Breuer  1930
Supervisor Robot
A robot that watches over and gives orders to other robots.
Manners of the Age Fyfe  1952
Super-Weapon
A generic term for an advanced destructive device or technology.
Robot Nemesis Smith  1939
Supralight Drive
A propulsion system that allows a spacecraft to travel faster than light.
Star Wars Lucas  1976
Surface Car
A specialized vehicle for traveling on a planetary surface.
Satellite Five Barnes  1938
Surface Slider
A small, lightweight craft.
The Star King Vance  1964
Surgical Hand
A specialized robotic hand used for surgery.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Surgical Homeostatic Unit
An autonomous surgical robot, able to drill into the body and perform surgery.
Now Wait For Last Year Dick  1966
Surrogate Skin
False skin that is sprayed onto damaged areas.
The Puppet Masters Heinlein  1951
Surta
A base material for synthetic food.
The Great Dome of Mercury Zagat  1932
Survival Bubble (Beach Ball)
Simplest possible space survival pod.
Footfall Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1985
Suspended Animation (Frigorific Process)
Very early reference to cryogenic storage.
The Senator's Daughter Mitchell  1879
Suspensine
Slows biological functions enough to survive in airless space - for a time.
Duel on Syrtis Anderson  1951
Suspensor
An energy field that can nullify gravity for small objects.
Dune Herbert  1965
Suspensor Chair
A chair that suspends itself above the floor.
Dune Herbert  1965
Suspensor Lamp
A lamp that will float in mid-air, and will stay where you put it.
Dune Herbert  1965
Sustained Atomic Reaction
The idea that a sustained reaction could lead to an atomic explosion.
The World Set Free Wells  1914
Sven
Sven is an artificially intelligent computer detective.
The Turing Option Harrison  1992
Sweep Field
Pulls in interplanetary matter for space ship propulsion.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Swibble
An artificially evolved telepathic metazoan-based mind control device.
Service Call Dick  1955
Swimming Tubes
Used to connect buildings for use by amphibious species.
The Dosadi Experiment Herbert  1977
Swiss
A small piece of personal gear that combines a great many items in a single device.
City of Pearl Traviss  2004
Symb
A symbiont life form that provides its human with life-giving energy.
The Ophiuchi Hotline Varley  1977
Sympathetic Block
A way to keep certain mental contents from being spoken or revealed.
The Stars My Destination Bester  1956
Synapsis-Coils
Human-like storage for computers.
Last of the Masters Dick  1954
Synchrophased Power Beams
Focuses energy beams from multiple planets on the same object.
Propagandist Leinster  1947
Syn-Cof
Synthetic coffee.
Cantata 140 Dick  1964
Synthesist
A person who did nothing but make cross-references between one field and another.
Stand on Zanzibar Brunner  1968
Synthespian
A synthetic media personality.
Idoru Gibson  1996
Synthetic Babies
A means of gestating eggs to term is found.
A Biological Experiment Keller  1928
Synthetic Flesh
Material resembles human flesh, handy for disguises.
The Amazon Fights Again Ayre  1940
Synthetic Flesh
Provides robots with realistic coverings, not just plastic.
Super-Toys Last All Summer Long Aldiss  1969
Synthetic Food
Edible food for humans, grown in the laboratory.
Unto Us A Child Is Born Keller  1933
Synthetic Food Dispenser
A machine that could make whatever food you wanted from basic elements.
Twilight Campbell  1934
Synthetic Food Factories
Food production without soil.
The Revolt of the Machines Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Synthetic Intellect
A device for providing a robot with intelligence.
Mad Robot Gallun  1936
Synthetic Life
Living animals made from scratch using inorganic elements.
Synthetic Cloukey  1930
Synthetic Milk
Milk made without cows.
Autofac Dick  1955
Synthetic Personality
A artificial identity, a legal fiction of a person.
If This Goes On... Heinlein  1940
Synthetic Sleeve
An artificial body, into which a person can be downloaded.
Altered Carbon Morgan  2003
Synthetic Spider Silk
Artificial fabric thread as strong as steel.
Misfit Heinlein  1939
Synthetic Voice
Artificial human speech.
The Amazon Fights Again Ayre  1940
Synthetigrav
General term for any of the fields produced by synthetic gravity devices.
Agent of Vega Schmitz  1949
Synthite Food
Compact food for space travelers.
Planet of Eternal Night Campbell  1939
Synthony
A musical performance by robots.
The Music Master Wallace  1953
Syntho-Steak
Artificially produced meat.
Farmer in the Sky Heinlein  1950
Syrup Sac
A device used to provide an efficient source of nutrition to Meks, servants of the aristocrats of Earth.
The Last Castle Vance  1967

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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
re: Lee Chaytor
(2/28/2024)

Has Turkey Been Stealing Rain From Iran?
re: Neal Stephenson
(2/26/2024)

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
(2/4/2024)

Gigantic Space Sunshade Would Fight Global Warming
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(2/2/2024)

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
(1/22/2024)

DiffuseBot Uses Generative AI To Invent New Soft Robots
re: Maurice Hugi
(1/20/2024)

Philips Smart Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt
re: Frank Herbert
(1/18/2024)

BMind Smart Mirror from Baracoda
re: Manga Clamp
(1/16/2024)

 

 

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