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
"I went [to the top of] Vehicle Assembly Building and looked down, and tears burst from my eyes. The size of this cathedral where the Rockets take off to go to the moon is so amazing."
- Ray Bradbury
 |
| Electrify the Rail | ||
| Use of substantial electrical charge applied to outer hull to repel potential boarders. |
This is now a cliché; you've seen it on Star Trek, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and many other places. But, this is (as far as I know) the first instance of this literary masterpiece plot device.
| "M. Aronnax," quietly answered Captain Nemo, "they will not enter the hatches of the Nautilus in that way, even if they were open."
I looked at the Captain. "You do not understand?" said he. "Hardly." "Well, come and you will see." I directed my steps towards the central staircase. There Ned Land and Conseil were slyly watching some of the ship's crew, who were opening the hatches, while cries of rage and fearful vociferations resounded outside. The port lids were pulled down outside. Twenty horrible faces appeared. But the first native who placed his hand on the stair-rail, struck from behind by some invisible force, I know not what, fled, uttering the most fearful cries and making the wildest contortions. Ten of his companions followed him. They met with the same fate. Conseil was in ecstasy. Ned Land, carried away by his violent instincts, rushed on to the staircase. But the moment he seized the rail with both hands, he, in his turn, was overthrown. "I am struck by a thunderbolt," cried he, with an oath. This explained all. It was no rail; but a metallic cable charged with electricity from the deck communicating with the platform. Whoever touched it felt a powerful shock-- and this shock would have been mortal if Captain Nemo had discharged into the conductor the whole force of the current. It might truly be said that between his assailants and himself he had stretched a network of electricity which none could pass with impunity. |
| From 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
by Jules Verne. Published by Various in 1875 Additional resources -
|
As far as I know, this is the first description of the idea of an electrified fence or railing, predating Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
Comment/Join this discussion ( 1 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
More Ideas
and Technology by Jules Verne
Tech news articles related to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Tech news articles related to works by Jules Verne
| Squad X Core Technologies For Infantry |
| EXACTO Bullets Change Course In Mid-Air |
| US Navy Laser Ready For Use |
| China's Crab Walker Robot Tank In Firing Mode |
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 Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
'The new species. Evolution. The race to come after man.'
'When you buy one of them, you don't need to tie up to an electric outlet.'
'Solved the problem to some extent by devising rigid metallic clothing...'
'The robot drew his cab up before Eric's modest six-room bungalow.'
'Hello, Europa... Is this your robot I'm looking at, in sector 94?'
