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"Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything. We can't talk about science, because our knowledge of it is limited and unofficial, and usually our fiction is dreadful."
- Philip K. Dick
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| Eetee (E.T. - extraterrestrial) | ||
| A sentient being not of this Earth. |
I think this is the first use of the phrase in an actual story; see below for possible earlier uses.
| Next, my radio message stating that an eetee was at large was definitely premature, and I wish to apologize for crying “Wolf” unnecessarily. At the time, however, it seemed wiser to take no chances. |
| Technovelgy from Button, Button,
by Thomas Wilson. Published by Astounding Science Fiction in 1953 Additional resources -
|
Ah, the life of a Martian politician... from Double Star (1956) by Robert Heinlein:
The first person to use 'ET' was probably L. Sprague de Camp in a column in Astounding Science Fiction from 1939:
I was knocked out the first time when we finally put the eetees — Venerians and Martians and Outer Jovians — into the Grand Assembly. But the nonhuman peoples are still there and I came back.
I was moved to concoct that fragment as a result of running through a file of magazines and comparing the ideas of the writers on the form that intelligent extra-terrestrials might have. The authors are nothing if not industrious in devising a variety of shapes for their e.-t's.
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Science Fiction
Timeline
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1900-1939
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'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
