Vernor Vinge:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas
Vernor Vinge (b. 1944) is an American science fiction writer, computer scientist and mathematician. He has written two Hugo award-winning novels (A Fire Upon the Deep A Deepness in the Sky) among a number of other well-liked works. His essay on the technological Singularity is also well-known; in it, he argues that exponential growth in technology will lead to a future that we cannot imagine. Vinge retired from teaching in 2002 to write full-time.
Invention/Technology Source Work (Publication Date)

Answerboard - good name for it
A forum or computer meeting location with experts on a particular topic.

Rainbows End (2006)

Browser Paper - one page IE
A paper-thin computer display.

Rainbows End (2006)

Camera Tunnel
A device that captures images of shredded documents from all sides for reassembly.

Rainbows End (2006)

Data Space
Computer storage and processor time rented by the user.

True Names (1981)

Dataset
A portable computer with multiple screens and capabilities.

A Fire Upon The Deep (1992)

Dustmote
A tiny sensor device that could also form networks with other motes.

A Deepness in the Sky (1999)

Focusing - using mindrot
Psychoactive microbe improves the attention-focusing ability of those infected.

A Deepness in the Sky (1999)

House-of-Cards Construction
Architectural technique that uses computers to help buildings maintain their balance during earthquakes.

Rainbows End (2006)

Ilse - first intelligent ship brain
The first intelligent ship brain.

Long Shot (1972)

Librareome Project
Blasting libraries into bits to create a library of perfect digitized electronic books.

Rainbows End (2006)

Localizer - tiny network mote
Devices that work together to form ad-hoc networks.

A Deepness in the Sky (1999)

Navicloud Custom Debinder
A machine that pulls books apart and scans the contents.

Rainbows End (2006)

Personality Simulator (Virtual Person)
A computer program that presents the appearance of being a person.

True Names (1981)

Portal
Sensory experience of a data network.

True Names (1981)

Reality Graphics
One-stop design - the final design is the object.

A Fire Upon The Deep (1992)

Skrode
A small mobile platform designed for a legless race.

A Fire Upon The Deep (1992)

Smart Contact Lenses - data from wearables
Contact lenses that have a built-in computer display.

Fast Times At Fairmont High (2001)

Video Wallpaper
Very thin, large scale display.

A Deepness in the Sky (1999)

Virtual World Kiss
Kissing mediated by a computer system.

True Names (1981)

Virtual world metaphor - early use
use of fanciful imagery to represent real-world data systems in a virtual world.

True Names (1981)

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