The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

This marvelous novel is one of the classics of science fiction; it can still send a chill down your spine more than one hundred years after publication. The Martians invade a pre-WWI Earth - how can they be stopped? (BTW, even though the book at left has a cool cover, you can read this classic for free here.)

Select an invention:

Autonomous Digging Machine
A mechanical device able to excavate on its own.

Biological Warfare - first use of the concept in fiction
The use of microorganisms to defeat an enemy; this is the first reference in science fiction that I can find to this concept.

Black Smoke - run for your lives!
A smoke or vapor dispensed in canisters.

Heat Ray - concept of the laser
First use of what appears to be a laser weapon.

Metallic Spider (Handling Machine)
Multipurpose device used almost as an extension of the Martian's own bodies.

Quasi-Muscles (Sham Musculature)
A means of giving motive power to robots or machines that is similar to animal musculature.

Red Weed (Terraforming Plant)
A plant brought by the Martians that grew on Earth.

Robot Biomimicry
Endowing robots with an organic-appearing fluidity, rather than mechanical motion.

Steel Tentacle
Flexible robotic steel limbs that can both support a vehicle and grasp objects.

Tripod - inhuman robotic ships from Mars!
An enormous metallic robot.

 

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