Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Latest By
Category:
Armor
Artificial
Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual
Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work
"...the space defense initiative drove the USSR bankrupt, and it originated at my house in Tarzana."
- Larry Niven
 |
| Panoramic Viewer | ||
| Permits observation at a distance, as well as the projection of a holographic image. |
| Rupert Boyce is a somewhat curious character," Rashaverak answered.
"Professionally, he's in charge of animal welfare over an important section of the Main African Reservation. He's quite efficient, and interested in his work.
Because he has to keep watch over several thousand square kilometres, he has one
of the fifteen panoramic viewers we've so far issued on loan - with the usual
safeguards, of course. It is, incidentilly, the only one with full projection
facilities. He was able to make a good case for these, so we let him have them." "What was his argument?" "He wanted to appear to various wild animals so that they could get used to seeing him, and so wouldn't attack when he was physically present. The theory has worked out quite well with animals that rely on sight rather than smell- though he'll probably get killed eventually. And, of course, there was another reason why we let him have the apparatus." "It made him more co-operative?" "Precisely." |
| Technovelgy from Childhood's End,
by Arthur C. Clarke. Published by Not Known in 1953 Additional resources -
|
Here's a bit more:
"What a place to live!" gasped Jean. "I thought this climate was supposed to be
controlled."
"So it is," replied George. "This was all desert once-and look at it now. Come
on-it'll be all right indoors ! "
Rupert's voice, slightly larger than life, boomed cheerfully in their ears. Their host was standing beside the flyer, a glass in each hand,
looking down at them with a roguish expression.
He looked down at them for the simple reason that he was about twelve feet tall:
he was also semi-transparent. One could see right through him without much
difficulty.
"This is a fine trick to play on your guests!" protested
George. He grabbed at the drinks, which he could just reach.
His hand, of course, went right through them. "I hope you've got something more
substantial for us when we reach the house!"
"Don't worry!" laughed Rupert. "Just give your order now, and it'll be ready by
the time you arrive."
"Two large beers, cooled in liquid air," said George promptly. We'll be right
there."
Rupert nodded, put down one of his glasses on an invisible table, adjusted an
equally invisible control, and promptly vanished from sight.
"Well!" said Jean. "That's the first time I've seen one of those gadgets in
action. How did Rupert get hold of it? I thought only the Overlords had them."
"Have you ever known Rupert not to get anything he wanted?" replied George.
"That's just the toy for him. He can sit comfortably in his studio and go
wandering round half of Africa. No heat, no bugs, no exertion-and the icebox
always in reach. I wonder what Stanley and Livingstone would have thought?"
Compare to the distance viewer from Giphantia (1761) by Charles-François Tiphaigne de La Roche.
They had left Alaska three hours before, and should have remembered to adjust
the cabin temperature accordingly.
Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from Childhood's End
More Ideas
and Technology by Arthur C. Clarke
Tech news articles related to Childhood's End
Tech news articles related to works by Arthur C. Clarke
| India Ponders Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking |
| LingYuan Vehicle Roof Drones Now Available, ala Blade Runner 2049 |
| Chameleon Personalized Privacy Protection Mask |
| Spherical Police Robot Rolls In China |
Want to Contribute an
Item?
It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a
quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add
it here.
| <Previous | Next> |
|
|
|
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Science Fiction Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
"The robot solemnly hit a ball against the wall, picked it up and teed it, hit it again, over and again...'
'There was a wall ahead... It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'
'...support the interior human structure against Jupiter’s pull.'
'Anything larger than a BB shot it picked up and placed in a tray...'
'The German chemists have discovered how to supply the needed elements in compact, undiluted form...'
'Compounds devised by the biochemists for the rapid building of bone...'
'The car faltered as the external command came to brake...'
'It is about the size and shape of a kitchen stool, gyro-stabilized...'
