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Timeline
of Science Fiction Ideas, Technology and Inventions
|
Date | Device Name (Novel Author) |
1705 | Cogitator (The Chair of Reflection) (from The Consolidator by Daniel Defoe) A device which improves the rationality of the thinking processes. |
1726 | Laputa (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) A floating island or rock in the air. |
1726 | Bio-Energy (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first reference to extracting electricity from organic materials. |
1726 | Geometric Modeling (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first recorded use of geometric figures to directly represent, or model, living beings. |
1726 | Knowledge Engine (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first reference to a machine that could create sentences or write books. |
1727 | Androide (from Cyclopaedia by Ephraim Chambers) A device having the form or likeness of a man. |
1828 | Steam-Propelled Moving Houses (from The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane Webb Loudon) Otherwise ordinary residences that move from place to place, powered by steam. |
1828 | Mail-Post Letter-Ball (from The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane Webb Loudon) A system of sending mail quickly from town to town via steam-cannon-powered hollow spheres. |
1828 | Barrels of Air (from The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane Webb Loudon) A very early mention of a means for breathing once above the Earth's atmosphere. |
1828 | Stage Balloon (from The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane Webb Loudon) A regular means of conveyance, like a train or carriage. |
1864 | Whispering Gallery (from Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne) A means of communication in specifically shaped spaces. |
1866 | Paper Steel (from Robur-the-Conqueror by Jules Verne) Specially treated paper that forms material as hard as steel. |
1867 | Water-Springs (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) Using water to cushion the living space of a spacecraft from the effects of acceleration. |
1867 | Launching Facility (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) A specific spot with support for a space launch. |
1867 | Free Return Trajectory (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) The idea that it would be possible for a projectile to go around the Moon and then return to Earth. |
1867 | Columbiad (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) An enormous cannon, sufficient in size to send a projectile to the Moon. |
1867 | Gourmet Space Cuisine (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) The finest in French cuisine, in outer space. |
1867 | Light Pressure Propulsion (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) First mention of the idea that light itself could be a form of propulsion for spacecraft. |
1867 | Splashdown (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) The use of water as a medium for landing one's space ship in. |
1867 | Communicate with Extraterrestrials (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) Early plan to communicate with life on planets removed from the earth. |
1867 | Projectile-Vehicle (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) A projectile, or shot, capable of enclosing passengers and being safely hurled to the moon by an enormous cannon. |
1867 | Retro-Rockets (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) Small boosters to provide a thrust counter to the current velocity of the spacecraft, slowing it down or stopping its progress altogether. |
1867 | Weightlessness (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) The state experienced in free fall; a space traveler's weight is apparently reduced to zero. |
1867 | Air Renewal (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) Re-oxygenating the air within the projectile spacecraft. |
1868 | Burn the Ship (from Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne) Utilize parts of the ship as fuel for forward movement. |
1869 | Brick Moon (from The Brick Moon by Edward Everett Hale) An artificial satellite or space station with living quarters for passengers. |
1869 | Flywheel Launcher (from The Brick Moon by Edward Everett Hale) Gigantic flywheels that build up enough power to launch a spacecraft - hurl it into the heavens! |
1872 | Mechanical Consciousness (from Erewhon by Samuel Butler) The notion that machines may develop a form of consciousness. |
1875 | Diving Apparatus (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) Equipment used to go for walks on the sea bed; the direct ancestor of modern scuba diving equipment. |
1875 | Undersea Mining (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) Conducting mining operations on the sea floor. |
1875 | Nautilus (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) The wondrous submarine of Captain Nemo; the instrument of his escape from humanity and his revenge upon it. |
1875 | Leyden Ball (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) Device for hunting underwater; transfers a powerful electrical charge to the prey. |
1875 | Electrify the Rail (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne) Use of substantial electrical charge applied to outer hull to repel potential boarders. |
1877 | Telepomp (Matter Transmission) (from The Man Without a Body by Edward Page Mitchell) A device that transmitted matter from one place to another. |
1879 | Planetary Telegraphing (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A method for communicating with dwellers on other planets in the solar system. |
1879 | Vivification (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A process by which the body can be preserved for centuries at body temperature and then revived. |
1879 | Home News Printer (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell) A device that prints out the newspaper of your choice right in your own home. |
1879 | Suspended Animation (Frigorific Process) (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell) Very early reference to cryogenic storage. |
1879 | Compact Food Pastilles (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell) One small tablet is a month's worth of food. |
1880 | Apergy (Apergion) (from Across the Zodiac by Percy Greg) An antigravity substance with sufficient power to propel a space ship from the Earth to Mars. |
1880 | Astronaut (from Across the Zodiac by Percy Greg) The first instance of this phrase, it denotes a space-going vessel. |
1881 | Dutch Clock (Time Machine) (from The Clock That Went Backward by Edward Page Mitchell) A tall Dutch clock with hands that move... backward. |
1881 | Chemical Production of Food (from Mizora: A Prophecy by Mary E. Bradley Lane) Creation of food in the laboratory rather than in the field. |
1887 | Anacronopete (Time Machine) (from El Anacronopete by Enrique Gaspar) A flying electric-powered time machine. |
1888 | Mall (Great City Bazaar) (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy) An aggregation of shops under one roof. |
1888 | Credit Card (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy) A simple card that is used in place of money |
1888 | Telephonic Music Room (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy) Places where a person could go, at any time, to share in musical performances happening at some distance away. |
1889 | Recorded News (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) This is the basic idea behind Tivo and VCRs. |
1889 | Phonotelephote (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) A means of transmitting and receiving both voice and picture for a personal conversation. |
1889 | Live News (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) The modern concept of a news broadcast. |
1889 | Atmospheric Advertising (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) A means of mass advertising to cities and countries. |
1889 | Straightening the Earth's Poles (from The Purchase of the North Pole (Topsy Turvy) by Jules Verne) By means of a suitable force, push the Earth until the planet's axis of rotation is perpendicular to the ecliptic. |
1889 | Electrified Fence (from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain) A wire fence carrying an electrical charge sufficient to deter crossing the boundary. |
1893 | War-Balloon (Navigable Aerostat) (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith) Enormous dirigible airships used for war. |
1893 | Air-to-Surface Missile (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith) Very early description of a projectile fired from an airship into a surface target. |
1893 | Air-Ship (VTOL Airship) (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith) A flying machine capable of vertical take-off and landing. |
1894 | Magnetic Railroads (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A scheme for powering railroads using enormous electromagnets. |
1894 | Arctic Signal Light (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A means of communicating with spacecraft from the surface of the Earth. |
1894 | Space-ship (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A space-going vessel. |
1894 | Electric Protection-Wires (Electrified Fence) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) An electric fence. |
1894 | Aeriduct (Rain Maker) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A specific means of producing rain. |
1894 | Wind Power Generation (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A very early description of the use of solar powered 'farms' for generating electrical power on a large scale. |
1894 | Double-Door Vestibule (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A special doorway leading from the interior of a spacecraft leading out into space which maintains the air pressure within the craft. |
1894 | Rooftop Windmill (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Renewable energy source for the home. |
1894 | Global Climate Control (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Adjust the Earth's axis so the seasons are more temperate and uniform. |
1894 | Marine Spider (Hydrofoil) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A very early mention of the hydrofoil concept. |
1894 | Electric Phaetons (Electric Cars) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Vehicles whose motive power is entirely derived from electricity. |
1894 | Instantaneous Kodaks (Traffic Control) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Use of cameras to help police officers enforce speed limits. |
1894 | Vehicle Energy Reclamation (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Reclaiming the energy gained by climbing a hill on the way back down. |
1894 | Electric Car Recharging Station (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A public place for recharging electric cars. |
1894 | Magnetic Eyes (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A device that permits remote monitoring of people or other objects. |
1894 | Windmill Mast (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Enclosed machinery in large masts powers ships. |
1895 | Atomic Energy (from The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie) Splitting the atom to create a destructive force. |
1895 | Time Machine (from The Time Machine by H.G. Wells) A device allowing the rider to move freely in the temporal dimension, just as we ordinarily do in the two physical dimensions normal to gravity. |
1895 | Government Lethal Chamber (from The Repairer of Reputations by Robert W. Chambers) A legal suicide booth. |
1895 | Atomic Microscopy (from The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie) A device that can actually visualize a individual molecule and its parts. |
1895 | Manufactured Wife (from A Wife Manufactured to Order by Alice W. Fuller) A wife made to order, programmed to meet her husband's requirements. |
1895 | Undersea City (from The Crystal City Under the Sea by Andre Laurie) A great city under the sea, covered by a crystal dome. |
1895 | Submarine Tube (from An Express of the Future by Jules Verne) A means of transport between Europe and North America via underwater tubes. |
1896 | Monsters Manufactured (from The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells) Dr. Moreau demonstrates the plasticity of the organic form. |
1896 | Fulgurator (from Facing The Flag by Jules Verne) An 'autopropulsive projectile'. |
1897 | Invisibility (from The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells) The idea that it is possible to make a person invisible using some sort of optical technology to alter the body. |
1897 | Magnetic Shell (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton) A munition that is powerfully attracted to ferrous ships. |
1897 | Photic Borer (Artesian Ray) (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton) A ray of energy that illuminates a cross-section of Earth as it goes through solid earth and rock. |
1897 | Electric Gun (Mass Driver) (from A Trip to Venus by John Munro) A device that used electromagnetic energy to accelerated capsules into orbit. |
1897 | Gravitational Wave Viewer (from Two Planets by Kurd Lasswitz) A device used to see at astronomical distances. |
1897 | Automatic Shell (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton) A projectile that bores through obstacles - even the Earth! |
1898 | Tripod (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) An enormous metallic robot. |
1898 | Biological Warfare (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) The use of microorganisms to defeat an enemy; this is the first reference in science fiction that I can find to this concept. |
1898 | Asteroid Mining (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) The mining of asteroid ore, accomplished by traveling to these tiny bodies. |
1898 | Air-Tight Suit (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) An special outfit that would allow a person to survive in vacuum. |
1898 | Red Weed (Terraforming Plant) (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) A plant brought by the Martians that grew on Earth. |
1898 | Quasi-Muscles (Sham Musculature) (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) A means of giving motive power to robots or machines that is similar to animal musculature. |
1898 | Space Walk (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) Going outside your space craft for a short time. |
1898 | Robot Biomimicry (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) Endowing robots with an organic-appearing fluidity, rather than mechanical motion. |
1898 | Robot Spider (Handling Machine) (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) Multipurpose device used almost as an extension of the Martian's own bodies. |
1898 | Heat Ray (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) First use of what appears to be a laser weapon. |
1898 | Steel Tentacle (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) Flexible robotic steel limbs that can both support a vehicle and grasp objects. |
1898 | Aerial Telegraph (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) Communication between individuals in spacesuits. |
1898 | Disintegrator (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) A device that causes objects to burst into molecular pieces. |
1898 | Black Smoke (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) A smoke or vapor dispensed in canisters. |
1898 | Electrical 'Tether' (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) A device to make sure an astronaut could return from a free space walk. |
1899 | Electric-Automatic Housemaid Robot (Automaton) (from Ely's Automatic Housemaid by Elizabeth Bellamy) A very early description of a robot to help around the house. |
1899 | Networked World (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) Very early description of our dependence on technology and communication. |
1899 | Electric-Automatic Household Robot Cook (from Ely's Automatic Housemaid by Elizabeth Bellamy) A robot chef - an Electric-Automatic Household Beneficent Genius! |
1899 | DVD/VCR (Entertainment Player) (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A device that accepts stored moving picture entertainment and makes it available for viewing. |
1899 | Automatic Door (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A wall strip that rolls up automatically to let you through. |
1899 | Moving Roadway (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A roadway that is in motion, with seats and kiosks, that goes around curves. |
1899 | Moving Picture Player (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A machine that plays recorded pictures back for a single person - a combination DVD player and screen. |
1899 | Individualized Clothing Manufacture (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A device that will produce suits of clothing based on measurement data gathered. |
1899 | Babble Machine (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) Not just television - this describes what we call 'the idiot box' (technology and media). |
1899 | Automated Surface Measurement (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A mechanical method of accurately measuring a surface. |
1899 | Eadhamite (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) Synthetic material that creates extremely smooth roads. |
1899 | Kinetiscope Appliance (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A small object that could show a variety of artificially created or extrapolated images. |
1899 | Town In One Building (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) This is the basic idea behind an arcology, or other single structure that is intended to provide living space and mall. |
1900 | Aerocar (from The Abduction of Alexandra Seine by Fred C. Smale) A personal flying vehicle. |
1901 | Cavorite (from The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells) An antigravity metal; when it cools, whatever it covers will be impervious to gravitational forces. |
1901 | Translatophone (from My Translatophone by Frank Stockton) A device that performs mechanical translation of one language into another. |
1901 | Breathing Dresses (from A Honeymoon In Space by George Griffith) A special suit and apparatus for survival on the surface of the Moon. |
1901 | Home-World (from A Honeymoon In Space by George Griffith) One's planet of origin. |
1903 | Joystick Controls w/Remote Display (from The Land Ironclads by H.G. Wells) A fire-by-wire remote-controlled weapon system. |
1903 | Vandelite Gun (from The World Masters by George Griffith) An artillery device that freezes the explosive material for firing so it doesn't explode in the gun when it fires. |
1903 | Death-Ray (from The World Masters by George Griffith) A thin ray of electric light that melts flesh away from the bone. |
1903 | Aerial Navies (from The World Masters by George Griffith) Use of vast numbers of air-ships (planes) to overwhelm land defenses. |
1904 | The Terror (from Master of the World by Jules Verne) An amazing vehicle capable of attaining tremendous speeds - in many different ways. |
1905 | Glass Dome (from A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells) Protective cover for cities. |
1907 | Neutral (Point) (from On The Martian Way by Harry Gore Bishop) The point at which the gravitational pull of the sun and that of a planet cancel each other out. |
1907 | Gravitation Screen (from On The Martian Way by Harry Gore Bishop) Shields a spacecraft from the gravity of a planetary body. |
1907 | Tik-Tok (from Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum) A mechanical man. |
1907 | Interplanetary Radiograph Station (from On The Martian Way by Harry Gore Bishop) Network of communication in the solar system. |
1908 | Etheroneph (from Red Star by Aleksandr Bogdanov) Spacefraft fueled by radioactive materials. |
1908 | Minus-Matter (from Red Star by Aleksandr Bogdanov) Material that negates weight. |
1909 | The Book of the Machine (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) The only book needed for life in the vast Machine. |
1909 | The Machine (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) A single vast contrivance that supplied all the needs of the world's millions of solitary inhabitants. |
1909 | Breed Humans For Machines (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) Carefully cull the strong, resilient humans in favor of weakness, that the human race might be more adapted to life in the Machine. |
1909 | Cinematophote (Blue Optic Plate) (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) The first reference to a tablet-sized, handheld screen. |
1909 | Video Communicator (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) A device that carried both voice and image, letting the two parties see each other. |
1909 | Telemedicine Apparatus (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) First reference to a device that allows physicians to examine or aid patients at a distance. |
1909 | Machine Apartment (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) Each person lives isolated in their own room, supported by a vast planetary machine. |
1910 | Automaton Chessplayer (from Moxon's Master by Ambrose Bierce) The first chess-playing computer. |
1911 | Electric Rifle (from Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle by Victor Appleton) A device that shoots an electrical charge. |
1911 | Demagnitizing Ray (from The Lord of Labour by George Griffith) A beam of radiation that makes even the strongest steel as brittle as chalk. |
1911 | Telautograph (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) First fictional reference to a fax machine. |
1911 | Space-Sick (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Uneasiness associated with space travel. |
1911 | Personalized News (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) First reference to news that is customized to the needs of each individual subscriber. |
1911 | Detectophone (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) First use of the idea of a voice-activated machine. |
1911 | Tele-Motor-Coasters (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Powered skates for personal transportation. |
1911 | Steelonium (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A remarkable kind of steel that did not rust or corrode. |
1911 | Language Rectifier (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) The first reference to machine-translation of human languages. |
1911 | Sub-Atlantic Tube (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A tunnel under the ocean; the shortest distance between the two points. |
1911 | Hypnobioscope (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) The first fictional reference to sleep teaching. |
1911 | Iridium Spirals (Street Lights) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Streetlights provide sunlight at night. |
1911 | Telephot (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A device that combined the functions of telephone and television; a phone with a screen. |
1911 | Automatic-Electric Packing Machine (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A device able to pack randomly shaped objects combined into a single package automatically. |
1911 | Actinoscope (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A device that used a pulsating polarized ether wave to judge the distance to an object (a RADAR) |
1911 | Alohydrolium (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) The lightest metal. |
1911 | Aeroflyer (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A flying car. |
1911 | Gyrocar (from Two Boys in a Gyrocar the story of a New York to Paris motor race by Kenneth Brown) A two-wheeled, self-balancing automobile. |
1912 | Automated Restaurant (from A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Food is prepared and served entirely automatically. |
1914 | Artificial Food (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) Food produced without soil, chemically. |
1914 | Atomic Bomb (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) A weapon that uses an atomic chain reaction as an explosive force. |
1914 | Sustained Atomic Reaction (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) The idea that a sustained reaction could lead to an atomic explosion. |
1914 | Radioactive Ruin (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) The aftermath of atomic war is generations of ruin. |
1914 | Sunray Tank (from Warlord of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) A device that stores sunlight itself for use as an energy source. |
1915 | Food Tablet (from John Jone's Dollar by H.S. Keeler) All of your nutrients in one easy-to-swallow form factor. |
1917 | Tele-Photophonic Attachment (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) A device that permits a telephone funnel to see as well as hear. |
1917 | Telephone Funnel (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) A kind of two-way public loudspeaker. |
1917 | Ray gun (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) A weapon that projects a beam of destructive force. |
1917 | Open-Air Moving Picture Shows (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) Public news outlets |
1918 | Magnetic Elevator (from The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) A device that uses very powerful electromagnets for propulsion. |
1918 | Photophone (from The Planeteer by Michael Flynn) A device that provided a view of the other booth. |
1918 | Aero Bus (Flying Bus) (from What Not: A Prophetic Comedy by Rose Macaulay) A flying bus. |
1920 | Living Metal Cubes (from The Metal Monster by Abraham Merritt) Tiny metal cubes and pyramids that work together to create larger shapes. |
1920 | Robot (from R.U.R. by Karel Capek) A (usually human-shaped) artifact with the same kinds of abilities as a human - this is the first use of the word 'robot'. |
1920 | Spinning Mill for Veins (Artificial Organs) (from R.U.R. by Karel Capek) The manufacture of artificial organs, digestive tract, veins - body parts. |
1921 | Phonographic Locks (from A Journey to the Year 2025 by Clement Fezandie) Doors that open using voice recognition. |
1922 | Membrane (from We by Yevgeny Zamyatin) A listening device. |
1923 | Parallel Universe (from Men Like Gods by H.G. Wells) An entirely separate realm or universe that exists along with our own; it may be wildly different or vary from ours by only a tiny degree. |
1923 | Acoustic Apparatus (Osophone) (from Acoustic Apparatus by Hugo Gernsback) A device that used bone conduction to transmit sound. |
1923 | Networked Telephone Answering Machine (from Men Like Gods by H.G. Wells) A device that would accept verbal messages and store them for replay from any remote station. |
1923 | Wireless Access Point (from Men Like Gods by H.G. Wells) Infrastructure that provides power and wireless communication. |
1923 | Clockwork Man (from The Clockwork Man by E.V. Odle) A man from the future with an embedded mechanism to manipulate time. |
1925 | Blaster (from When the Green Star Waned by Nictzin Dyalhis) A device that shoots a beam of energy that destroys whatever is in its path. |
1925 | Quadraturin (from Quadraturin by Sigizmund Krzhizhanowsky) Substance that creates more space when applied to walls, floors and ceilings. |
1926 | Gyro-Hat (from An Experiment in Gyro-Hats by Ellis Parker Butler) Hidden in a top hat, this device cures staggering and reeling, for whatever reason. |
1926 | Blue Ray of Death (from Across Space by Edmond Hamilton) A ray that reduces an organic being to ash instantly. |
1926 | Artificial Life (from Across Space by Edmond Hamilton) Creating living beings from inorganic elements. |
1926 | Vacuum Suit (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) An early description of a space suit, and the first use of this now archaic phrase. |
1926 | Computer Vision (Artificial Eye) (from The Metal Giants by Edmond Hamilton) A device which, attached to a suitable computer, will allow the device to see. |
1926 | Artificial Brain (from The Metal Giants by Edmond Hamilton) A non-organic device structured like a human brain. |
1926 | Transparent Dome Helmet (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A spacesuit helmet that can be seen through. |
1926 | Atomic Machine (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A device that shrinks and expands its wearer. |
1926 | Bolognium (from Transactions of Amer Soc for Steel Treating by Edgar Bain) Very early fictional element, courtesy of metallurgists. |
1926 | Atomic Energy Motor (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) An engine which utilizes atomic energy. |
1926 | Starship (from War in Space by Raymond Quiex) A vehicle for space travel. |
1927 | Cold Ray (from The Atomic Conquerors by Edmond Hamilton) A device that pulled warmth from anything it was aimed at. |
1927 | Paralyzing Cone (from The Atomic Conquerors by Edmond Hamilton) A device that paralyzes the muscles. |
1928 | Hyper-space (from The Invisible Bubble by Kirk Meadowcroft) A realm or parallel universe in which it is possible to travel much faster than light. |
1928 | Psychophonic Nurse (from The Psychophonic Nurse by David H. Keller) A child-care robot - a nanny bot. |
1928 | Steering a Star (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Steering a star, altering its path, taking it to a new location. |
1928 | Ultrophone (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A means of communication that transmits and receives simultaneously. |
1928 | Meteor-Sweeps (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Maneuver to chase down and destroy meteor showers that threaten celestial navigation. |
1928 | De-atomizing Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Beam of energy causes matter to fly apart. |
1928 | Hall of the Council (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) An enormous council chamber, fit for a galaxy. |
1928 | Chest Disc (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A voice activated wireless transmitter. |
1928 | Raytron Apparatus (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) A device for aerial surveillance; the image was transmitted back to the user. |
1928 | Needle Pipe (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) A device that could project slivers of metal at near light speed. |
1928 | Ultron (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Very handy material is invisible and non-reflective. |
1928 | Meteorometer (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A device that warned space ships in flight about oncoming meteors. |
1928 | Airlock (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An intermediate chamber between airless space and the interior of a space craft. |
1928 | Concentro (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Concentrated synthetic food rations. |
1928 | Pain Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Creates pain by nerve induction. |
1928 | Telechart (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) An interactive metal plate upon which were displayed celestial objects for interstellar navigation. |
1928 | Synthetic Babies (from A Biological Experiment by David H. Keller) A means of gestating eggs to term is found. |
1928 | Psycho-Phone (from A Biological Experiment by David H. Keller) A device that recorded and played back the thoughts of the user. |
1928 | Auto-Car (from The Revolt of the Pedestrians by David H. Keller) A personal vehicle for indoor and outdoor use. |
1928 | Ultron Wire (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Invisible metal makes the thinnest, strongest wire. |
1928 | Heat Transmitter (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Device which captures solar energy close to the source and then beams it in concentrated form to outer planets. |
1928 | Electric Diaper (from The Psychophonic Nurse by David H. Keller) A diaper that will indicate when it is wet. |
1928 | Ultraphone Ear-Disc (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Wireless receivers that fit directly over the ears; they also offered noise reduction. |
1928 | Viewplate (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A flat panel viewing display. |
1928 | Disintegrator Ray (Dis Ray) (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A device that projects a beam reducing matter to nothingness. |
1928 | Gravity-Screen (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A device that shields an object from the effects of gravity. |
1928 | Anti-Gravity Belt (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A device which, when worn, reduces exposure to the effects of gravitation. |
1928 | Flying Harness (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Device allows free movement in the air. |
1928 | Attractive Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A beam of radiation that pulls. |
1928 | Rocket Gun (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) In essence, a bazooka. |
1928 | Death-Beam (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Ravening pale beams of light used in space battles. |
1928 | Vibration-Propelled Cruiser (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A spacecraft with a propulsion system relying on waves in spacetime itself. |
1928 | Private Space Cruiser (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A fully space-worthy ship under private ownership. |
1928 | Telestereo (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A disk, upon which the projected image of the distant sender appears. |
1928 | Grantline Comptometer (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) Key-driven computer/calculator that easily solves even calculus problems. |
1928 | Space-Lanes (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Well-traveled routes through outer space. |
1928 | Inertron (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Material with all the properties of heavier metals, but lighter. |
1928 | Floater (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A device that allows the user to literally float in the air |
1928 | Space Buoy (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A marker in space. |
1928 | Repellor Anti-Gravity Rays (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Device provides support for planet-side air travel. |
1928 | Pressure-Suit (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A pressurized suit for use in the airless void of space. |
1928 | Jumper (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Inertron belt results in effective weightlessness. |
1929 | Electric Kitchen (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) Food preparation in space requires safe equipment. |
1929 | Spacesuit Testing (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) A device and method for testing spacesuits. |
1929 | Pneumatic Suit (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) An airtight spacesuit. |
1929 | Harbenite (from Tarzan at the Eath's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Ultralight metal. |
1929 | Televisor (from The Phantom Teleview by Bob Olsen) A viewing screen. |
1929 | Space Travel (from A Baby on Neptune by Clare Winger Harris (w/MJ Breuer)) Human movement through outer space. |
1929 | Brain Placed In Metal Body (from The Comet Doom by Edmond Hamilton) A robotic body with a support system for a connected organic brain. |
1929 | Human Blood Chlorophyll (from The Murgatroyd Experiment by S.P. Meek) Replacement of elements of human blood with chlorophyll. |
1929 | Vibration Machine (from The Comet Doom by Edmond Hamilton) A device that neutralized the gravitational force of the sun on the earth. |
1929 | Life Chamber (from The Chamber of Life by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A machine-mediated, fully immersive experiential environment. |
1929 | Ships Propelled By Light Pressure (from The Comet Doom by Edmond Hamilton) Space ships that use light pressure from a distant source for propulsion |
1929 | O-220 (from Tarzan at the Eath's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Ultralight zeppelin |
1929 | Gravity Nullifier (from The Sky Maniac by Henri Dahl Juve) Shields a large object from the effect of gravity. |
1929 | Aerocab (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A floating taxicab. |
1929 | Pocket Gravity Nullifier (from The Sky Maniac by Henri Dahl Juve) Personal device stops gravity's effect. |
1929 | Robot Control Board (from The Robot Master by O.L. Beckwith) Control panel with small screens showing the point of view of different robots. |
1929 | Metalloglass (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A transparent "glass" made of metal. |
1929 | Ship's Artificial Gravity (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A very early mention of the term. |
1929 | Air Tunnel (from Through the Air Tunnel by Harl Vincent) A means of sending trains through the air. |
1929 | Ships With Legs (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) Space ships with mechanical limbs for walking the Earth. |
1929 | Hypnotelevisor (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A device that displays memories directly on a helmet screen. |
1929 | Remote Telepresence Robot (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A very early depiction of this basic idea. |
1929 | Mechanical Hand (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A large robotic hand or claw, large enough to grasp a person. |
1929 | Sol (from Out of Void by L.F. Stone) Familiar name for our own sun. |
1929 | Mechanical Men (from The Ancient Brain by A.G. Stangland) Remote controlled robots used to perform dangerous work. |
1929 | Personal Metallic Record Disc (from The Ancient Brain by A.G. Stangland) A stamped metal record that contains all of a person's data in a convenient form. |
1929 | Electro-Culturer (from The Ancient Brain by A.G. Stangland) A device used to artificially stimulate cell growth and development. |
1929 | Rocket Engine Moves Moon (from The Space Dwellers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Using the propulsive mechanism of a space ship to move a small moon or asteroid. |
1929 | Teleview (from The Phantom Teleview by Bob Olsen) A device for seeing at a distance. |
1929 | Rocket Pistol (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) Using pistol rounds to maneuver in space. |
1929 | Force-Ray (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A large, hand-held spear of force. |
1929 | Reflectocosmic Spectrometer (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A device that detects and measures cosmic rays that reflect from different metals. |
1929 | Atomic Shell (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A nuclear munition, fired from a cannon. |
1929 | Ship Pushes Moon (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) Altering the course of a small moon by pushing on it with a rocket motor. |
1930 | Space Lock (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) An airlock on a spacecraft. |
1930 | Artificial Transparent Element (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) A substance as strong as metal that you can see through. |
1930 | Neutronium (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Extremely dense material. |
1930 | Gravity Assist (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Using the gravity and orbital speed of a celestial body to change speed and course of a spacecraft. |
1930 | Ray Gun (Handheld) (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A weapon shaped like a handgun that shoots rays of energy. |
1930 | Glassite (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A transparent material of great strength. |
1930 | Visiplate (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A flat screen for viewing remote images. |
1930 | Artificial Gravity (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Procuring gravitational forces without a suitably large mass. |
1930 | Matched-Frequency Separable Units (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Devices that can draw power wirelessly from a matched source. |
1930 | Lunar Mining (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Very early (first?) reference to mining operations on the moon. |
1930 | Lux (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A bar of solidified light. |
1930 | Tight-Beam (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A method of communication that uses a very narrowly-focused stream of energy. |
1930 | Death Projector (from The Stolen Mind by M.L. Staley) Wide angle Ray of death! |
1930 | Magnalloy (from The Cave of Horror by S.P. Meek) A durable form of magnesium. |
1930 | Artificial Gravity System (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) Producing a gravity field without a large nearby mass. |
1930 | Planets Made Habitable (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) A plan to "terraform" a planet to improve its habitability by human beings. |
1930 | Solar-Powered Aircraft (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A plane powered entirely by solar energy. |
1930 | Helicops (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) Small, private flyers for business commuting. |
1930 | Moon Dome (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A permanent domed structure for living on the Moon. |
1930 | Spaceport (from The Birth of a New Republic by M. Breuer (w/J. Williamson)) A location on the surface of a planet used for launching vehicles into space. |
1930 | Shield (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Early name for a defensive force field. |
1930 | Low-scale Detectors (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Magnifies even the smallest sound. |
1930 | The Cosmic Express (from The Cosmic Express by Jack Williamson) A means of transmitting matter wirelessly. |
1930 | Automatic Cultivators (from Piracy Preferred by John W. Campbell) Agricultural robots. |
1930 | Moon Walk (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Very early realistic depiction of walking on the moon in low gravity. |
1930 | Vacuum Armor (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An armor-plated space suit. |
1930 | Invisible Cloak (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A cloak that renders the wearer invisible. |
1930 | Paralyzing Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Stops body motions. |
1930 | Pencil Heat Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) An offensive, man-portable heat ray. |
1930 | Eavesdropping Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A device that allows others to hear from outside ordinary locked rooms. |
1930 | Gyroscope Seats (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) Your best bet for remaining at the right angle to the force of acceleration. |
1930 | Ray Pistol (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A handheld device for projecting radiative force of some kind. |
1930 | Space Pirate (from Evans of the Earth-Guard by Edmond Hamilton) Space ships taken against their will. |
1930 | One-Man Rocket (from Evans of the Earth-Guard by Edmond Hamilton) A small rocket ship with only a pilot. |
1930 | Home Planet (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) Usually the birthplace of your species or simply your planet of origin. |
1930 | Altitude Suit (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) Special gear for venturing out at high altitude or even space. |
1930 | Rocket Side Tubes (from Evans of the Earth-Guard by Edmond Hamilton) An early description of attitude jets, course correction by small emissions of gas. |
1930 | Oxygen Space Flare (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A flare that burns inside a glass bulb with oxygen. |
1930 | Asteroid From Outside Solar System (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) An asteroid or similar body that comes from outside the solar system; an interstellar body. |
1930 | Shock-Absorbing Seats (from Evans of the Earth-Guard by Edmond Hamilton) Perfect for the many gravities of acceleration upon take-off. |
1930 | Face-Plate (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) The transparent front of a space suit helmet. |
1930 | Artificial Island (from Between Earth and Moon by Otfrid von Hanstein) An entirely artificial, floating island. |
1931 | Neutronic Dust (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) What's left over when you've annihilated matter. |
1931 | Vitalium (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A rare radioactive metal which enables solar power cells. |
1931 | Jovium (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Rocket fuel catalyst that makes space travel commercially practical. |
1931 | Disintegrator Plate Ray (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Ray cuts through metal like butter. |
1931 | Free Fall (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) Phrase describing how bodies move in orbit. |
1931 | Emergency Corrective Rockets (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Used when you seem to be off-course in your spaceship. |
1931 | Gravity Belt (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Adds 'weight' for walking on asteroids. |
1931 | Evolution Machine (from The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton) A device that accelerates the process of evolution by millions of times. |
1931 | City of Space (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A very early reference to an enormous cylindrical space station. |
1931 | Thought Screen (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A material screen that is worn by the user, upon which are projected the mental images of the user. |
1931 | Sunship (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A space craft powered entirely by the sun. |
1931 | Helio-Beryllium (from Out Around Rigel by Robert H. Wilson) Unusual alloy combines a metal and a gas. |
1931 | Propulsion Gun (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) What can you push against in space? |
1931 | Energy Curtain Key (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A small handheld "key" to shut off a force field. |
1931 | Sodaluminum (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Lightweight and tough! |
1931 | Curtain (Force Barrier) (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) An easily set-up protective force barrier. |
1931 | Tele-Audiovized Meeting (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Teleconferencing done right. |
1931 | Artificial Atmosphere Machine (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Not just oxygen, this gives you what you need in space. |
1931 | Dimensoscope (from The Fifth-Dimension Catapult by Murray Leinster) A telescope for peering into other dimensions. |
1931 | Gravito-Statoscope (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) An instrument used to detect the gravitational influences on a space ship. |
1931 | Magnetic Clamps (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) Used for attaching your craft to a larger spaceship. |
1931 | Robot-Deranger (from The Exile of Time by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that confuses the cognitive functions of robots. |
1931 | Robot Waiter (from The Death Cloud by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Robotic restaurant servitor. |
1931 | Robot Waiter (from The Death Cloud by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Robotic restaurant servitor. |
1931 | Time-Telespectroscope. (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) See other time-travelers. |
1931 | Metal Monster (from The Doom From Planet 4 by Jack Williamson) A large robotic device with legs. |
1931 | Paralyzing Blast (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) A red Ray of light that freezes those it falls upon. |
1931 | Control Disk (from The Slave Ship From Space by A.R. Holmes) |
1931 | Mechanical Thought Transformers (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) Machinery to expedite the process of thought transfer. |
1931 | Object-Finder Beam (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) A unique device that projected a beam that found what you wanted. |
1931 | Robot Vending Machine (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Machinery displaces news boys selling papers on street corners. |
1931 | Astrogator (from The Conquest of Space by David Lasser) A person who acts as navigator for s space ship. |
1931 | Attractor (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) A beam capable of holding objects motionless, as well as adjusting their position. |
1931 | Matter Transmitter (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) Device which causes a physical object to disappear from one place and reappear in another. |
1931 | Robot Revolt (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) Robots to throw off the yoke of Man? |
1931 | Radio Meteor Detector (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) A device carried by space ships that could detect meteors in space early enough to avoid them. |
1931 | Master Machine (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) One single machine to run a civilization! |
1931 | Transparent Spherical Ship (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A huge sphere of quartz housing a platform for space use. |
1931 | Normal Space (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) As opposed to hyperspace. |
1931 | Thought Coil (Machine Intelligence) (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Specially designed hardware that imparts intelligence to machines. |
1931 | Atmosphere Tester (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device used to test the composition of a sample of the atmosphere on another planet, to see if it is breathable by humans. |
1931 | Vision-Tube (from The Doom From Planet 4 by Jack Williamson) A kind of seeing device like a short-range telescope. |
1931 | Death Bath (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A suicide chamber. |
1931 | Flame Pistol (from Invisible Ships by Harl Vincent) A hand-held weapon that incinerates opponents. |
1931 | Zero-Ray (from An Adventure in Futurity by Clark Ashton Smith) Inflicts a fatal frostbite on living tissue. |
1931 | Televisiophone (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) A device that combines picture with sound for personal communication. |
1931 | Vita-Light (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) A special form of bulb or light source that could keep people who were never exposed to the sun perfectly healthy. |
1931 | Thought-receptor Vote-counting Machine (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) That's one way to do a plebiscite. |
1931 | Telucid (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) A holographic projector. |
1931 | Ultra-Telescope Ray (from The Moon Weed by Harl Vincent) A transporter Ray that works over interplanetary distances. |
1931 | Rocket Liner (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A rocket designed for point-to-point Earth journeys; it goes well into the stratosphere. |
1931 | Space-Helmet (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A 'fishbowl-style' head covering for space explorers. |
1931 | Argento-Platinoid Dispatch Box (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Impenetrable message carriers. |
1931 | Suit-Phone (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A means of wireless communication between individuals dressed in space suits. |
1931 | Pentavalent Nitrogen (from Space Hounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A high explosive formed from nitrogen. |
1931 | Space Suit (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Special protective gear worn as protection in space. |
1931 | Conveyor Ribbon (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A moving sidewalk. |
1931 | Ultra-Light Vision System (from Space Hounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A viewing technology able to see through and even within most objects. |
1931 | Space Liner (from On Board the Martian Liner by Miles J. Breuer) A large, passenger-carrying space ship. |
1931 | Deflector (from On Board the Martian Liner by Miles J. Breuer) A means of pushing aside asteroids that get in the path of your space ship. |
1931 | Motor Torpedo (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A terrestrial torpedo, driven by ion beams. |
1931 | Satellite Photography for Surveillance (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Use of pictures taken from near Earth orbit for reconnaissance in a military operation. |
1931 | Pneumatic Tube Station (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Passengers are sealed into a narrow cylinder that is shot through a pressurized tube to their destination. |
1931 | Food Factory (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Mechanized production of food by entirely artificial means. |
1931 | Ownership of Machines (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Who will own the machines that produce material abundance? |
1931 | Disruptor Tube (Disruptor Ray) (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that interrupted the very bonds between atoms. |
1931 | Space Helmet (from The Disc-Men of Jupiter by Manly Wade Wellman) Headgear for space explorers. |
1931 | Force-Field (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) A barrier to objects, created by projected forces. |
1931 | Dressing Machines (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Semi-autonomous guided devices that could dress a person in ordinary clothing. |
1931 | Teleradio Control (Hand Flash) (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that can call a vehicle to a driver; it drives itself in a near-autonomous fashion to the caller. |
1931 | Matter Annihilation Ray (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A beam that forces electrons into protons, thereby destroying ordinary matter. |
1931 | Reaction-Motors (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A spacecraft engine that works by firing matter out at high speed. |
1931 | Centipede-Machine (from Monsters of Mars by Edmond Hamilton) Multi-legged transport. |
1931 | Gate (from The Gate to Xoran by Hal K. Wells) A gate through spacetime to other worlds. |
1931 | Power Planet (from Power Planet by Murray Leinster) A satellite that supplies the Earth with power. |
1931 | Groundling (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A person who does not fly, especially into space. |
1931 | Space-Liner (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A passenger ship in space. |
1931 | Moon Run (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) An accurate representation of running on the moon. |
1931 | Faster-Than-Light (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) Describes something that exceeds the usual speed limit on physical objects of 186,282 miles per second in vacuum. |
1931 | Virtual Assembly (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) Use of holograms to accomplish an assembly of people. |
1931 | Annihilator Beam (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) A deadly ray that literally dissolved matter! |
1931 | Integral Calculator (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that accepts complex equations and solves them. |
1931 | Photoelectric Course Warning (from Out Around Rigel by Robert H. Wilson) A means of keeping a spaceship on course using a selected star and a photoelectric cell. |
1931 | Positive Ray Propulsion (Ion Drive) (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) An ion drive. |
1931 | Beam-Powered Propulsion (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Using a powerful energy source as motive power for a projectile. |
1931 | Protonite (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) Radioactive fuel for spacecraft. |
1931 | Deviatoscope (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that registered how much your course diverged from what you intended. |
1931 | Synthetic Food Factories (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Food production without soil. |
1931 | Kundrenaline (from The Hands of Aten by H.G. Winter) Revives even a dead man's heart. |
1931 | Recoil Pistol (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A handheld device that permits a spaceman to manuever in zero gravity. |
1931 | Sensitive Robot Fingers (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) Special sensory capabilities of robotic appendages. |
1931 | Tractor Beam (from Space Hounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A force field used to pull objects. |
1931 | Pressor (Pressor Beam) (from Space Hounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A force-field beam that pushes, rather than pulls. |
1931 | Communication Disk (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A wearable device that told the time as updated from a central source. |
1931 | Wreck-Pack (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) An agglomeration of wrecked spacecraft drawn together by mutual gravitational attraction in the 'dead area' of the solar system. |
1931 | Gravograph (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A graphical representation of gravitational fields. |
1931 | Stationary Sidewalk (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A sidewalk that is fixed permanently in one location; not a sliding walkway. |
1931 | Alpha Insert (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A special compound used to seal punctures in space craft. |
1931 | Self-Sustaining Space Craft (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A spacecraft ecosystem. |
1931 | Photograph of Earth from Space (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) An aerial photograph from outside the atmosphere. |
1931 | Sargasso of Space (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A "dead area" in which the gravitational fields of the planets are cancelled out. |
1931 | Selective Electric Eye (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A facial recognition device. |
1931 | Mutation (from The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton) An organism that has come into being through genetic mutation. |
1931 | Time Stream (from Time Stream by John Taine) The total sequence of events considered as a kind of flow. |
1931 | Light Speed (from Out Around Rigel by Clyde Wilson) Using the speed of light at a unit of velocity. |
1931 | Microhands (from Microhands (Микроруки) by Boris Zhitkov) Mechanical replica of hands, that mimic the movements of actual human hands. |
1931 | Centrifugal Force Creates 'Artificial Gravity' (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Using centrifugal force in a rotating cylinder as a substitute for gravity. |
1931 | Heliocar (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Ground vehicle that can also lift off like a helicopter. |
1932 | Asteroid Mining (Blasting) (from Asteroid of Gold by Clifford Simak) Setting charges on an asteroid. |
1932 | Surta (from The Great Dome of Mercury by Leo Zagat) A base material for synthetic food. |
1932 | Quartzite Leak Foil (from The Great Dome of Mercury by Leo Zagat) Special material for space dome leaks. |
1932 | Ship's Magnetic Plates (Magnetic Mooring) (from Asteroid of Gold by Clifford Simak) Keeps a mining ship attached to the surface of an asteroid. |
1932 | Weather Machine (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A device for controlling the weather. |
1932 | Antigravity (from The Vanguard of Neptune by J.M. Walsh) A force opposed to gravity. |
1932 | Alpha Plus (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Intervening in the physical development of humans can result in enhancements. |
1932 | Atomic Pistol (from Mutiny on Mercury by Clifford Simak) Reduces the target to atomic dust. |
1932 | Smoke Jets (Air Leak Detection) (from The Great Dome of Mercury by Leo Zagat) A means of determining the location of air leaks in a building built on an airless moon. |
1932 | Wandering Worlds (from When Worlds Collide by Edwin Balmer (w/P. Wylie)) Planets that are attached to no sun, and roam interstellar space. |
1932 | Diskoid (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A huge flying saucer. |
1932 | Hypnopćdia (Sleep-Teaching) (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) The idea that a person can learn explicit subject matter while sleeping. |
1932 | Centrifugal Bumble-Puppy (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Futuristic children's game. |
1932 | Space-Armor (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) Special shielding worn against rays and explosives. |
1932 | Polarization Apparatus (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A device that caused a space ship to repel the Earth and send a space ship on its way. |
1932 | Space-Boots (from The Passing of Ku Sui by Anthony Gilmore) Special footgear for spacemen. |
1932 | Battle Sphere (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) An armored space ship using the simplest geometric shape. |
1932 | Search Beams (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) Penetrating rays that disclose the contents of rooms, ships, etc. |
1932 | Scent-Organ (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) A device that output specified odors. |
1932 | Artificial Womb (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) A room in which a human embryo waits for the necessary months as a fetus, preparing for birth (decanting). |
1932 | Bone-Building Compounds (from A Conquest of Two Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Combat heavy gravity on other planets by building greater bone density in workers and colonists. |
1932 | Super-Photon (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) Three photons in one. |
1932 | Water to Cushion Acceleration (from The Derelicts of Ganymede by John W. Campbell) The use of water to cushion and protect against extreme ship accelerations. |
1932 | Meteor Warning System (from A Conquest of Two Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) A system that provided rockets in flight with early warning of meteors. |
1932 | Rigid Metallic Clothing (from A Conquest of Two Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) An early exoskeleton. |
1932 | Pocket-Planet (from The Duel on the Asteroid by P. Schuyler Miller (w/D. McDermott)) An asteroid. |
1932 | Space Men (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) Human beings who travel and work in space. |
1932 | Feelies (Feely) (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Device adds the tactile element to entertainment. |
1932 | Tele-Screen (from After Armageddon by Francis Flagg) A display screen for live events. |
1932 | Sun-Tube (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A slicing ray of death! |
1932 | Space-Boat (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) A small space-worthy craft for use in emergencies. |
1932 | Bokanovsky's Process (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) A very early description of cloning. |
1932 | Sunward (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) The direction leading toward the center of the solar system. |
1932 | Electro-Magnet Anchor (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) Attach a line to a spacecraft hull. |
1932 | Magnet Grapnel (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) Used to pull another vessel closer when boarding in space. |
1932 | News-Dispenser (from After Armageddon by Francis Flagg) Audio news ready when you are. |
1932 | Electro-Gun (from Pirates of the Gorm by Nat Schachner) It shoots electro-bullets. |
1932 | Space Freighter (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) A large spacecraft used for heavy cargo; can lift off from the Earth or other planets. |
1932 | Electro-Bullet (from Pirates of the Gorm by Nat Schachner) Fired by an electro-gun. |
1932 | Attraction Ray (from Pirates of the Gorm by Nat Schachner) In effect, a tractor beam. |
1932 | Conveyor (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A great moving belt carrying people between cities. |
1932 | Negative Gravity Field (from 50th Century Revolt by A.G. Stangland) Antigravity effect produced for space ship propulsion. |
1932 | Pent House (from The Pent House by David H. Keller) An island in the sky - a hermetically sealed skyscraper isolated entirely from its surroundings. |
1932 | Automatic Truck (from Mechanocracy by Miles J. Breuer) A cargo-carrying vehicle that autonomously drives to the selected destination. |
1932 | Self-Propulsive Space Suit (from The Bluff of the Hawk by Anthony Gilmore) A space suit outfitted with its own means of movement. |
1932 | Gravity-Plates (from The Bluff of the Hawk by Anthony Gilmore) Reliable, controllable gravity force. |
1932 | Space-Drive (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) A means of providing propulsion for a spacecraft. |
1932 | Spaceship Garden (from The Heritage of the Earth by Harley S. Aldinger) A fully-enclosed garden on a spaceship producing edible foodstuffs. |
1932 | Hinged Mittens (for Space Suit) (from The Bluff of the Hawk by Anthony Gilmore) Space worthy mittens for space suits. |
1932 | Manufactured Planet (from The Heritage of the Earth by Harley S. Aldinger) Is that a moon - or a space station? |
1932 | Government Machine (from Mechanocracy by Miles J. Breuer) The automata that constitute the entire government, all in one building. |
1932 | Emergency Space-Boat (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) An escape ship. |
1932 | Telectroscope (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) A much better telescope than yours. |
1932 | Pneumatic-Tube Zone (from Mechanocracy by Miles J. Breuer) The portion of a city that is served by direct tubes to each dwelling. |
1932 | Jump (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) Instantaneous movement over vast distances, points many light-years apart. |
1933 | Human Serial Number (from Unto Us A Child Is Born by David H. Keller) A unique number tattooed on body of a person. |
1933 | Food Preparation Machine (from Unto Us A Child Is Born by David H. Keller) An automated device for the production of complete meals. |
1933 | Synthetic Food (from Unto Us A Child Is Born by David H. Keller) Edible food for humans, grown in the laboratory. |
1933 | Gateway (from Wanderer of Infinity by Harl Vincent) A device that opens a portal to another dimension. |
1933 | Granton Motor (from Into the Meteorite Orbit by Frank K. Kelly) Spacecraft propulsion system based on gravital radiation. |
1933 | Life Boat (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A small space-worthy craft that can be jettisoned from a larger ship, to save its crew. |
1933 | Vibra-Transmitter (Teleportation) (from Into the Meteorite Orbit by Frank K. Kelly) An early use of the notion of matter transmission. |
1933 | Electric Machine Gun (Railgun) (from The Battery of Hate by John W. Campbell) A device that accelerates small projectiles magnetically using a strong electric current. |
1933 | Meteor Miner (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Someone who roams the solar system, hunting for metal in meteors. |
1933 | Helix Gun (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) A device for capturing ferrous meteors. |
1933 | Life-Tubes (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Escape pods for space ships. |
1933 | Corporol (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Preserves and maintains the body. |
1933 | Space Tug (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A small vessel used to maneuver other ships. |
1933 | Conscious Retarded Animation (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) A kind of hibernation, but leaves the user fully conscious, but aging at an incredibly slow rate. |
1933 | Magnetic Boots (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Special footgear holds spacemen to the metal deck in spite of the lack of gravity. |
1933 | Spaceways (from Shambleau by C.L. Moore) A set route though space. |
1933 | Anadrenalin (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Has the opposite effect of adrenalin. |
1933 | Globular Glass Helmet (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A bowl-shaped space helmet. |
1933 | Osprey Space Armor (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Space suit you can live in. |
1933 | Asteroid Rocket (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) An engine attached to an asteroid to drive it through space. |
1933 | Flip to Brake (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) Maneuver to put the tail end (with rocket output) in the forward direction of travel to use for lowering velocity. |
1933 | Spectro-Flash Analysis (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Device for determining the content of meteorites. |
1933 | Landing on an Asteroid (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) An elaborate flight plan for landing a space ship on an asteroid. |
1933 | Ether Boat (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A space craft. |
1933 | Seleno-Cosmo-Tel (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Device to automatically avoid asteroids or other bodies. |
1934 | Planetary Propulsion-Blasts (from Thundering Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Devices capable of moving and steering planets to new orbits or new stars. |
1934 | Manual Search For Habitable Planet (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A tedious search for habitable planets by hand. |
1934 | Lewiston (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Standard blaster pistol with terrifying power. |
1934 | Invisibility Shield (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A means of concealing a physical object to the naked eye. |
1934 | Artificial Planet (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A very large constructed object in space. |
1934 | Ingestible Communication Capsule (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A tiny transmitter that can be swallowed, which makes possible voice communication. |
1934 | Inertialess Drive (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Faster-than-light travel achieved! |
1934 | Homorium (from The Last Men by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A kind of nursery that could bring a human being to maturity in a single year. |
1934 | Mentanicals (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Robots capable of mentation - i.e., thought. |
1934 | Acceleration-tank (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A water-filled tank used to ease the strains of acceleration. |
1934 | Flying Wing (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A V-shaped plane capable of flight to the edge of the atmosphere. |
1934 | Moving a Planet (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Early use of the concept of moving a planet to a new sun. |
1934 | Platinum Alloy Disc (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A silvery disc used for data record storage. |
1934 | Emergency Lifeboat (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small craft used as a bail-out vehicle from a large space station or spacecraft. |
1934 | Sound-Transposing Machine (from The Lost Language by David H. Keller) A device that scans a printed page and reads it out loud. |
1934 | Protective Shield (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An energy shield for one person. |
1934 | Ablative Heat (Reentry) Shield (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A single-use shield or covering designed to accept the heat of reentry and burn off. |
1934 | Standish (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A beam weapon of frightful intensity. |
1934 | Liquid Mirror Telescope on Mars (from Old Faithful by Raymond Z. Gallun) A large telescope using a spinning bowl of mercury as the mirror. |
1934 | Mentanical Communication (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Thinking, learning robots have a special means of communication. |
1934 | Credit (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) A basic unit of currency. |
1934 | Living Machines (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Robots that are able to learn. |
1934 | Darkness Bomb (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) A small bulb containing a vapor that causes darkness to occur. |
1934 | 3D Tank Display (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A transparent cube showing a three-dimensional display. |
1934 | Vibrowriter (from The Lost Language by David H. Keller) A device that translated speech and typed it out for you. |
1934 | Spy Ray Goggles (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A form of radiation that can penetrate walls to allow the user to 'see' what is happening on the other side. |
1934 | Mother Ship (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A large spacecraft that serves as home base for other (usually smaller) ships. |
1934 | Ultrawave (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A means of faster-than-light (FTL) communication. |
1934 | Bergenholm Drive (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A device that renders a spaceship free of inertia. |
1934 | Visiphone (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Visual as well as audio communication. |
1934 | Cone of Battle (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An offensive formation of space ships providing the ultimate in firepower. |
1934 | Synthetic Food Dispenser (from Twilight by John W. Campbell) A machine that could make whatever food you wanted from basic elements. |
1934 | Ether-Wall (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An invisibility field. |
1934 | Radio-Dirigible Torpedo (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A drone missile that is controlled remotely by an operator. |
1934 | Electric-Space-Strain Projector (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) Device enables the wireless transmission of power. |
1934 | Extradimensional (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) From another dimension. |
1934 | Deep-Space (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Typically refers to the vast empty regions of interstellar space. |
1934 | Air-Car (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A personal flying car |
1934 | Space Warp (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) The very fabric of space-time. |
1934 | Machine City (from Twilight by John W. Campbell) A city that is a self-maintaining whole entity. |
1934 | Impermite (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) A substance that is impervious to penetration. |
1934 | Robots Refuse To Serve Man (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) When robots evolve their own perspectives, and ultimately refuse to act as servants to human beings. |
1934 | Invisibility Magnets (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) They can cloak a space ship by bending light around it. |
1934 | Penetron (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) A synthetic substance that is opaque unless penetrated by infra-red. |
1934 | Wine Pellets (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) Fine wine in convenient, dried form. |
1934 | Automatic Navigator (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) Device steers your spaceship to its destination without additional effort from you. |
1934 | Out-Worlder (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A person from another planet. |
1934 | Needle-Ray (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Very thin beam of destruction. |
1934 | Glass Pistol (from A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A clear glass gun that fires poisoned splinters. |
1934 | Solar Engine (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A space ship that gets it motive power from the rays of the sun. |
1934 | Healing Crystal (from A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A small object that burns off diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. |
1934 | Wrist Search Display (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A wearable device that uses its own search beam to view scenes close by. |
1935 | Automatic Air Mail Plane (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) A pilotless airplane for delivery of cargo. |
1935 | Machine (Thinking Machine) (from The Machine by John W. Campbell) A very early reference to a thinking machine in charge of a planet. |
1935 | Driverless Car (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) A car that drives itself; an autonomous vehicle. |
1935 | Flame-Pistol (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Incinerates everything in its path. |
1935 | Automatic Toll Payment (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) An automated car that pays its own toll. |
1935 | Thermide (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A chemical which, added to water, boiled and sterilized it instantly. |
1935 | Mudshoes (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Footgear specialized for the semisolid soil of Venus |
1935 | Driverless Taxi (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) A taxi that does not require a driver. |
1935 | Transkin (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A hooded protective suit worn on Venus. |
1935 | Floater (Vehicle) (from The Machine by John W. Campbell) A conveyance distinguished primarily by antigravity power. |
1935 | Thermlectrium (from Blindness by John W. Campbell) An alloy that turns heat directly into electricity. |
1935 | Xixtline (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Venusian drug provides a rejuvenate effect. |
1935 | Subjunctivisor (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Projects a possible future, based on your own impressions. |
1935 | Emotion Meter (from The Emotion Meter by W. Varick Nevins, III) A device for empirically determining human emotion. |
1935 | No Steering Wheel Autonomous Car (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) An autonomous vehicle without a wheel for human drivers. |
1935 | Living Space Ship (from Proxima Centauri by Murray Leinster) A space ship made of a living substance, in this case cellulose. |
1935 | First Contact (from Proxima Centauri by Murray Leinster) The initial encounter with a non-human race. |
1935 | Horsten Psychomat (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Re-creates a mental scene for the viewer. |
1935 | Automated Factory (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) A factory that works entirely automatic, without human guidance. |
1935 | Fruit-Picking Machine (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) An humanoid machine for automatic fruit picking. |
1935 | Magic Spectacles (from Pygmalion's Spectacles by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Very early take on virtual reality hardware. |
1935 | Trans-Oceanic Rocket (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Also, a rocket-plane. |
1935 | Bloodhound Machine (from Crimes of the Year 2000 by Ray Cummings) Could positively identify a person using their scent alone. |
1935 | Conscious Farm Machines (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) Farm machinery that worked on their own. |
1936 | Beckerley Electrical Field (from Smothered Seas by R.M. Farley (w/SG Weinbaum)) An energy field that can protect a city or large area. |
1936 | Cartograph (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) A device that shows you a record of your travels - a GPS readout. |
1936 | Dark Vapor Bubble (from Man-Jewels for Xothar by H.G. Wells) A kind of field that keeps an alien base provided with an atmosphere. |
1936 | Vitrisheen (from Moon Crystals by J. Harvey Haggard) A translucent glass-like fashion choice. |
1936 | Luxobe Crystals (from Moon Crystals by J. Harvey Haggard) They give light. |
1936 | Needle Beam Gat (from Moon Crystals by J. Harvey Haggard) A thin disintegrator beam. |
1936 | Shoggoths (from At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft) Bioengineered creatures, able to change shape, created for labor. |
1936 | Starways (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) The well-traveled paths from star to star. |
1936 | Electro-Telescope (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A device that could clearly image space battles from a great distance. |
1936 | Atom Compactor (Metal Earthworm) (from Death Dives Deep by Paul Ernst) A tunneling device. |
1936 | Tubular Field of Force (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Can pull an object through space. |
1936 | Gravity Detector (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) A device capable of detecting the gravitational field of a distant mass. |
1936 | Vision Tubes (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) Microminaturized vision for UAV's. |
1936 | Emergency Repulsion (Repulsive Ray) (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A beam of force that repels one object from another. |
1936 | Giant Flat Panel Display (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) Movie screen-sized flat panel display for live televised images. |
1936 | Android (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) A synthetic being having the form of a human being. |
1936 | Protective Energy Halo (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that cast a hemisphere of protective beams. |
1936 | Electronized Gravity Plate (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Artificial gravity for use on space stations and spacecraft. |
1936 | Probability Time Wave Tube (from Elimination by John W. Campbell) A device that allows the user to see every possible event. |
1936 | Automated Search For Habitable Planets (from Cosmic Quest by Edmond Hamilton) Automated use of telescopes and other devices to search the universe for Earth-like planets. |
1936 | Wire Gun (from Shadow Gold by Ray Cummings) Shoots a length of constricting wire. |
1936 | Dimension Shifting Apparatus (from Cosmic Quest by Edmond Hamilton) Achieves faster than light space travel by moving into a different, parallel dimension. |
1936 | Photoelectric Telescope (Photoelectric Eyes) (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) An astronomical telescope that uses the photoelectric effect to gather light, and then to present the finished image on a screen. |
1936 | Desktop Flat Panel Intercom (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) A small desktop screen intercom system. |
1936 | Volplane (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A small vehicle used in transporting people around the moon's surface. |
1936 | Wireless Wrist Intercom (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) A portable wireless intercom, worn on the wrist. |
1936 | Robot With Human's Brain (from Revenge of the Robot by Otis Adelbert Kline) A very early example of encasing a human brain in a robotic body. |
1936 | Scarab Robot Flying Insect (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) A tiny flying robotic machine, used for surveillance. |
1936 | Indoor Weighted Belt (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Device to stay grounded in low gravity on the Moon. |
1936 | Planetary Engineering (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Remaking or modifying an entire planet. |
1936 | Radiation Shield (from The Ultimate Weapon by John W. Campbell) A clever use for the water you need to take anyway. |
1936 | Paralyzing Ray (Bolar Current) (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A beam that forces a person to remain rooted to a particular spot. |
1936 | Geodynes (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Spacecraft propulsion that pushes against the very fabric of space itself. |
1936 | Zed-Ray (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A penetrating beam that would disclose the details inside of a closed object. |
1936 | Audiphone (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Communication between space suits in the airless void of space. |
1936 | Transparent Flat Panel Display (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) A fifty-inch flat panel display that is (or can be) transparent. |
1936 | Telespectroscope (from Cosmic Quest by Edmond Hamilton) Device for searching for habitable (Earth-like) planets. |
1937 | Etherometer (from Spawn of the Red Giants by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A device that looked at the 'ether' pervading space as a means of determining gravitation field strength. |
1937 | Heat Generating Magnetic Disks (from Spawn of the Red Giants by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) Devices used to artificially raise the temperature of the surface of moons to a reasonable level. |
1937 | Sono-Induction Coils (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) A public address system consisting of buried coils. |
1937 | Concentrated Light (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) Beam of powerfully concentrated light pressure. |
1937 | Ultra-Communicator (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A communication system that transfers voice commands from one person to selected others. |
1937 | Blast Rifle (from Exiles of the Stratosphere by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A gun that creates a short-range energy blast. |
1937 | Vibration Screen (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) Subtle rays prevent electronic surveillance. |
1937 | Multiple Sample Voice (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) The use of multiple voice samples to create a single, smoothed voice. |
1937 | Subphoton Search Ray (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) A special ray beam that penetrates into hidden bunkers; images are caught on special film cameras. |
1937 | Near-Space Solar Energy Collectors (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) Generating power from solar radiation closer to the source. |
1937 | Sub-Space (from Crystallized Thought by Nat Schachner) A dimension or a transmission medium other than our own, which allows faster-than-light communication or movement. |
1937 | Artificial eye (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A surgically-implanted artificial eyeball. |
1937 | Drop Shaft (Neutralization of Inertia) (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An 'elevator shaft' in which the user can fall at the speed of gravity, then be stopped without inertia (i.e., instantly). |
1937 | Blast-Off (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) The act of firing a rocket into space. |
1937 | Artificial Planet (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) Constructed bodies the size of planets for habitation. |
1937 | Gravity Neutralizing Disks (from Fessenden's Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Two plates between which Earth's gravitational influence is cancelled out. |
1937 | Miniature Universe (from Fessenden's Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) A microcosmic universe created in the laboratory. |
1937 | Gold-Fish-Bowl World (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) An artificial water planet. |
1937 | Groundcar (or Ground Car) (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A non-skimming, non-flying vehicle. |
1937 | Spectroscopic Robot Converter (from Diamond Planetoid by Gordon A. Giles) Accepted the return of soft x-ray radiation, and translated it into Fraunhofer spectra. |
1937 | Reaction Pistol (from Diamond Planetoid by Gordon A. Giles) A hand-held device for maneuvering in zero gravity in a space suit. |
1937 | Proton Pistol (Proton Beam) (from A Menace in Miniature by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that unleashed a 'protonic storm' of energy. |
1937 | X Gun (X-Beam Projector) (from Diamond Planetoid by Gordon A. Giles) A device that projected soft x-rays into small planetoids to determine their composition. |
1937 | Automatic Reversed Memory (from Brain Control by Dave Cummins) A device that activates memories and plays them back in reverse order. |
1937 | Alien Life Form (from The Hothouse Planet by Arthur K. Barnes) Living organisms of non-Earth origin. |
1937 | Ultra-microrobot (from A Menace in Miniature by Raymond Z. Gallun) A nanomachine; a machine whose parts are no bigger than atoms. |
1937 | Designed Bacteria (from Seeds of Dusk by Raymond Z. Gallun) Very early reference to the idea of bacteria designed to wipe out a particular species, and no others. |
1937 | Mercy Gas (from The Saga of Pelican West by Eric Frank Russell) Breathe it and die. |
1937 | Rocket Tug (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) The equivalent of a tug boat for space ships. |
1937 | Light Traps (Dyson Sphere) (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) Surrounding a sun, a set of devices to capture or focus solar power. |
1937 | Repulsor Screen (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) Diverts troublesome asteroids. |
1937 | Photo-Electric Mosaic (from Beyond Which Limits by Nat Schachner) A means of capturing astronomical images. |
1937 | Poldek (from The Saga of Pelican West by Eric Frank Russell) Ability to sense life. |
1937 | Magnetic Anchor (from The Saga of Pelican West by Eric Frank Russell) A means of affixing an anchor point on a spacecraft hull. |
1937 | Electelscope (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) Telescope uses electronics applied to optics. |
1937 | Ether Eddy (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) A shimmering region of space marking a break-through into another universe. |
1937 | Nose Tubes (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) Rocket blasts from the front of a ship, to brake it. |
1937 | Stratocar (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) A vehicle intended for use in traveling through the upper atmosphere. |
1937 | Self-Propelled Space Suit (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) A vacuum suit with a means of propelling itself built in. |
1937 | Space Laboratory (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) A specialized space station, for scientific research. |
1937 | Plani-Glass (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) Transparent and light and has the tensile strength of steel! |
1938 | Coronium Ore (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) A radiolite substance to revolutionize industry. |
1938 | Helen O'Loy (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) A robot is enhanced to offer feelings and affection. |
1938 | Space-Tanned (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) The characteristic darkening of the men of the spaceways. |
1938 | Air-o-Stat (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Provides life-giving air in spacecraft. |
1938 | Interplanetary Passport (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Required document for space travelers. |
1938 | Radium Salt (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Radioactive materials used as an assassination weapon. |
1938 | Magnetic Flame Gun (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) Device shoots charged positive nuclei. |
1938 | Visi-Screen (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A display device. |
1938 | Robot Emotions (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) Devices or techniques that give rise to emotions in robots. |
1938 | Psychode (from The Infinite Enemy by Jack Williamson) A device that enables communication by thought alone. |
1938 | Brain-Case (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) A device designed to transport a living human (or alien, if similar) brain. |
1938 | Surface Car (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A specialized vehicle for traveling on a planetary surface. |
1938 | Robot Cook (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) A household robot that can cook meals. |
1938 | Preserved Brains (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Preserving a brain, and then communicating with it. |
1938 | Reversal Coils (from The Infinite Enemy by Jack Williamson) Provide both entry into a negative universe and propulsion. |
1938 | Gogglelike Televisors (from The Robot and the Lady by Manly Wade Wellman) A screen technology placed very close to the eyes. |
1938 | Field-Projector (from Easy Money by Edmond Hamilton) A device that dematerializes a person and then sends forth a ray that will then rematerialize a person at the end. |
1938 | Control Helmet (from Easy Money by Edmond Hamilton) A device which causes an entire race of people to think and feel the same as the wearer. |
1938 | Cosmic Teletype (from Cosmic Teletype by Carl Jacobi) A device that utilizes the fourth dimensional continuum to achieve communication at great distances. |
1938 | Tiny Atomic-Power Drive Unit (from The Brain Pirates by John W. Campbell) A very small power generator that is atomic powered. |
1938 | Atomic-Powered Lifting Suits (from The Brain Pirates by John W. Campbell) Special exoskeletons that would allow an ordinary human being to walk in doubled gravity. |
1938 | Pneumatic Bumpers (from The Brain Pirates by John W. Campbell) An inflatable bumper system for ground-based motor vehicles. |
1938 | Automatic Commercial Deletion (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Device automatically detects commercials and turns off the set for the duration. |
1938 | Magnetic Shoes (from The Dual World by Arthur K. Barnes) Footgear magnetized for working on steel hulls. |
1938 | Paralysis Ray (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A special ray that produces paralysis. |
1938 | Invisible Watchmen (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Automated 'home security' sentry system that targets and eliminates intruders. |
1938 | Selective Television (from The Challenge of Atlantis by Arthur J. Burks) A special kind of 'television' that let the user choose any scene around the world. |
1938 | Beam-Pistol (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld ray gun. |
1938 | Psychoprobe (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Get to the truth. |
1938 | Air-Blanket (from Hollywood on the Moon by Henry Kuttner) A dome-less protective air shield. |
1938 | Artificial Eye Drone (from Glimpse by Manly Wade Wellman) A remote flying device that transmits its view to the operator. |
1938 | Mass Detector (Gravitator) (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) A device that finds substantial masses, particularly in the path of a space craft. |
1938 | Steel-Lined Space Boots (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) In combination with a magnetized floor, allows the user to walk in zero gravity. |
1938 | Teleoperated Robot Surrogate (from The Robot and the Lady by Manly Wade Wellman) A robot that is entirely controlled remotely by a person who sees with the point of view of the robot. |
1938 | Hand-Rocket (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld device that used reaction matter to aid explorers in space suits to move around easily in zero gee. |
1938 | Sub-Etheric (from Legion of Time by Jack Williamson) Below the level at which ordinary light is propagated. |
1938 | Zero-Gravity (from If Science Reached the Earth's Core by John R. Binder) A state in which gravity is effectively absent or cancelled out. |
1938 | Space-Court (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) The place of judgement for crimes committed in interstellar space. |
1938 | Helicoptomic (from Ra For The Rajah by John Victor Peterson) A hovering craft used by referees in rocket polo. |
1938 | Alcatraz of Space (from Reunion on Ganymede by Clifford Simak) A planetoid prison. |
1938 | Gyrotomic (from Ra For The Rajah by John Victor Peterson) A small gyrostabilized hovercraft. |
1938 | Rocket-Polo (from Ra For The Rajah by John Victor Peterson) Polo played with rocket-powered craft. |
1938 | Robotic Animals (from Reunion on Ganymede by Clifford Simak) Artificial animals created using robotic elements. |
1938 | Basic Robot Personality (from Simultaneous Worlds by Nat Schachner) Providing simple personalities to robots. |
1938 | Chronoscope (from Legion of Time by Jack Williamson) A device used to see into specific internals of time. |
1939 | Acceleration Hammock (from Pioneer - 1957 by Henry Gade) Webbing used to cushion acceleration in spacecraft. |
1939 | Force-Screen (from The Dweller in Outer Darkness by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A variation on the force shield idea. |
1939 | Vacuum Cylinder (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Traveling first class, but like mail, in a tube system. |
1939 | Metal Desk Car (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) A combination work desk and vehicle for librarians and researchers; part desk part carnival ride. |
1939 | Gravitic (from Question of Salvage by Malcom Jameson) Relating to gravity. |
1939 | Radio-Facsimile Receiver (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) A device that prints a newspaper in your home. |
1939 | Inertia Screen (from Space Rating by John Berryman) A device that canceled out the law of inertia to help decelerating space craft occupants. |
1939 | Space Marines (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) A space-based military force. |
1939 | Electric Brain Stimulator (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) A device that coordinated the waves of the brain with an external device to improve performance. |
1939 | Super-Weapon (from Robot Nemesis by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A generic term for an advanced destructive device or technology. |
1939 | Synthite Food (from Planet of Eternal Night by John W. Campbell) Compact food for space travelers. |
1939 | Permalloy (from Fugitives From Earth by Nelson S. Bond) Protects ships from the hazards of space. |
1939 | Movie Pill (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) Gives you the experience of having seen a movie. |
1939 | Ultra-Vibrator (from Into Another Dimension by Maurice Duclos) Transports objects into another dimension through intense vibration. |
1939 | Moon Skis (from Requiem by Robert Heinlein) Special wide skis for travel on lunar powder. |
1939 | Ballistic Calculator (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) An on-board computer for a spaceship to calculate its course and perform other related tasks. |
1939 | Synthetic Spider Silk (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Artificial fabric thread as strong as steel. |
1939 | Killer Robot (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) An autonomous robot made for the express purpose of killing living creatures. |
1939 | Ultraset (Ultrawave Set) (from Habit by Lester del Rey) A device that used ultrawave faster-than-light (FTL) communication. |
1939 | Shock Hammock (from Habit by Lester del Rey) Special netting oriented for pilots in high gee spacecraft. |
1939 | Inertia Tank (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that protected its delicate contents by cushioning. |
1939 | Microsurgery Tool (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) Miniaturized device for surgical precision. |
1939 | Thermalite (from Planet of Eternal Night by John W. Campbell) A transparent material that allows almost no heat to escape. |
1939 | Needle Gun (from The Empress of Mars by Ross Rocklynne) A weapon that fires thin slivers of metal. |
1939 | Solar-Powered Robot (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) A robot powered by sunlight. |
1939 | Durite (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Super-strong material used to counter reaction-blasts. |
1939 | Rocket Racing (from Habit by Lester del Rey) Use of reaction mass vehicles for races held within the solar system. |
1939 | Neuronic Receptor-Transmitter (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device which, implanted in the brain, can both transmit sight and sound, and enable control of the body by a remote operator. |
1939 | Barber Helmet (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) Cuts your hair quickly and efficiently. |
1939 | Neuronic Control Apparatus (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that communicated with a brain implant, granting both sight and control. |
1939 | Smoke Filter (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Allows grizzled spacemen to smoke in space ships. |
1939 | Move an Asteroid (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Using practical techniques to change the orbit of an asteroid or small moon. |
1939 | Visual Pattern Recognition (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) A robot's ability to respond to programmed visual stimulus |
1939 | Torpoon (from Seed of the Arctic Ice by H.G. Winter) Clever portmanteau of "torpedo" and "harpoon", an underwater whaling craft. |
1939 | Inflatable Roofed Valley (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) A habitat on an asteroid created by placing a tent-like roof over a natural valley or depression, and then inflating it. |
1939 | Isolation Barrage (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Device prevents eavesdropping. |
1939 | Mirror Grid Multiple-View Surveillance Panel (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Very modern presentation combining multiple camera viewpoints, selectable using one monitor screen. |
1939 | Chronovitameter (from Lifeline by Robert Heinlein) Device that can determine a person's date of birth - and the date on which he or she will die. |
1939 | Geofractor (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Device provides instantaneous teleportation of selected objects over vast distances. |
1939 | Outbound Interplanetary Traffic (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) The rules of the spacelanes. |
1939 | Spacecraft Invisibility Electronics (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A means of rendering a spacecraft invisible to detection by electromagnetic means. |
1939 | Chart Cabinet (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Used in astrogation, this device can see the positions of stars and planets over a thousand year period. |
1939 | Hall of Euthanasia (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A place for (mostly) voluntary suicide. |
1939 | New Moon Casino Satellite (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) An enormous artificial moon, it was far easier to get to than the Old Moon. |
1939 | Orbiting Casino Advertising Sign (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) The mightiest billboard in the Solar System! |
1939 | Geopeller (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) An atomic powered, miniaturized means of propulsion. |
1939 | Space-Post (from Episode On Dhee Minor by Harry Walton) A trading post in space. |
1939 | Communicator (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A small, pendant-shaped device that works to communicate over large distances. |
1939 | Geofractor Shield (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Protects the bearer against unwanted geofractor use. |
1939 | Vortex Gun (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A device that projects whirling fields of atomic instability. |
1939 | Manmade Black Hole (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Using the power of a hole in the continuum. |
1939 | Visiwave (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Even faster than ultrawave! a means of instantaneous communication over lightyear distances. |
1939 | Robot Observatory (from Space Rating by John Berryman) A fully automated astronomical observatory, placed on a planet (typically, one that does not support human life). |
1939 | Asteroid Prison (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A jail is the sole occupant of an asteroid. |
1939 | Hypomatrin (from The Confession of Dr. DeKalb by Stanton A. Coblentz) A spinal anesthetic that allows the reformation of personality. |
1939 | Atomic Torch (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) An atomic-powered cutting and welding tool. |
1939 | Floating Spherical Pool (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Control of gravity permits mid-air pools of water. |
1939 | Metalite (from Black Destroyer by A.E. van Vogt) Strong metal you can see through. |
1939 | Anti-Acceleration Engine For Space Suits (from Black Destroyer by A.E. van Vogt) Counteracts the effects of high acceleration. |
1939 | Directed Cars in Tunnels (from The Lord of Tranerica by Stanton A. Coblentz) Self-driving vehicles. |
1940 | Solid Power (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A concentrated form of easily accessed energy to supply any need. |
1940 | Space Shuttle (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) A space-going vessel for trips from the surface of a planet to a ship in orbit, and back. |
1940 | Atom-Gun (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld device that sprays atomic fire. |
1940 | Conversion Gun (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) The ray converts the heat in an object to light. |
1940 | Telechronometer (from Blowups Happen by Robert Heinlein) A watch that synchronizes itself to a remote source. |
1940 | Tesseract House (from -And He Built A Crooked House by Robert Heinlein) A house built in the shape of a four-dimensional figure. |
1940 | Tumblebug (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A monocycle; a motorcycle that balances on a single wheel. |
1940 | Robbie (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) A childcare robot. |
1940 | Neutronium Slippers (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) Special footgear to keep ones footing in lower gravities. |
1940 | Escape Port (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) Emergency egress from a space ship for one person. |
1940 | Atomic Blast Weapon (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Reduces the target to atoms. |
1940 | Asbestos Sunshade (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) A means of shielding oneself from the sun's rays. |
1940 | Life-Ship (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An emergency escape or survival craft. |
1940 | Robot Suicide (from Adam Link's Vengeance by Eando Binder) A robot decides to commit suicide, and sets up a mechanism to put his decision into effect. |
1940 | Iridium-Sponge Brain (from Adam Link's Vengeance by Eando Binder) A human-like metal brain for robots. |
1940 | Space Tramp (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An old, slow spacecraft. |
1940 | Gravitational Disks (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Maintain your footing on those low-gravity celestial bodies. |
1940 | Atomic Automatic (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Fires a special, rocket-like bullet. |
1940 | Merry-Go-Round Life Suspension (Refrigerator Plant) (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A device that offered cold sleep. |
1940 | Multi-Generation Space Voyage (Generation Ship) (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A space ship and voyage intended to last across multiple human generations. |
1940 | Soft Speaker (from The Exalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A device that sends a tightly-controlled beam of sound. |
1940 | Trumpaphone (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A loud, brassy instrument. |
1940 | Paralyzing Gun (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Renders senseless any human in its path. |
1940 | Ferretscope (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A counter-surveillance tool to detect the presence of listening devices. |
1940 | Radium-Action Lighter (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A personal device used to ignite tobacco products. |
1940 | Pocket-Caller (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Private communication device that fits in your pocket. |
1940 | Rocket Cruiser (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A privately owned space ship. |
1940 | Rocket-Belt (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A single-user propulsion pack. |
1940 | Atom-Shifter (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A device that 'softens' matter, making it possible for a person to pass through. |
1940 | Mind-Shield (from Slan by A.E. van Vogt) A mental defense or barrier that prevents access to one brain by another person or device. |
1940 | Sunpower Screen (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) A solar cell array used to provide power for a vehicle. |
1940 | Steel Tortoise (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) An all-terrain vehicle, grandfather to the four-wheeler. |
1940 | Knockdown Cabin (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) A portable shelter; had solid walls and could be assembled quickly. |
1940 | Gesturing Robot (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) A robot that uses gestures to communicate. |
1940 | Vibroblade (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A knife-like weapon. |
1940 | Rolling Road (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A set of fast-moving strips to move people over distances. |
1940 | Silk-Metal (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A very tough fabric. |
1940 | Hush-a-Phone (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A special kind of telephone that reduced noise while talking. |
1940 | Slow Glass Rod (from The Exalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A transparent glass rod that makes light travel so slowly that it can trap light within its depths. |
1940 | Electro-Automatic Pistol (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Circular, pocket-sized weapon. |
1940 | Talking Robot (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) An impractical robot, for display only. |
1940 | Refreshing Chamber (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Replaces the bathroom in the future history of Robert Heinlein. |
1940 | Two-Wheeled Car (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A small passenger vehicle with two centerline wheels. |
1940 | Solar Reception Screen (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A device for converting sunlight to electricity |
1940 | Telelubricator (from The Exalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Makes any surface or substance perfectly frictionless. |
1940 | Barrier (Force Field) (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Force-field fence. |
1940 | Methuen Treatment (from The Exalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Injections that increase intelligence. |
1940 | Air Blast (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) An air dryer for personal use. |
1940 | Paralysis Bomb (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A device like a hand grenade that released paralyzing radiation. |
1940 | Hyperbolic Solenoid (from The Exalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Device that creates and manipulates magnetic fields. |
1940 | Tectogenetic (from Crisis in Utopia by Norman L. Knight) Deliberate manipulation of genes to produce unique species. |
1940 | Synthetic Personality (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A artificial identity, a legal fiction of a person. |
1940 | Solar Power Screen (from Let There Be Light by Lyle Monroe) Absorb all solar energy, and emit electrical energy. |
1940 | Lighting Panel (from Let There Be Light by Lyle Monroe) A large panel that presents illumination without heat. |
1940 | Space Force (from Hindsight by Jack Williamson) That branch of the military with a presence outside the atmosphere. |
1940 | Planetfall (from Quicksands of Youthwardness by Malcom Jameson) Making a landing on a planet from space. |
1940 | Test Box (from The Devil's Pocket by F.E. Hardart) A remote-controlled device for capturing small objects from open space. |
1941 | Space Lawyer (Sky-Lawyer) (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) A lawyer with special knowledge of space law. |
1941 | Solar Station (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) A satellite that gathers solar energy in space and then beams it to Earth (or other planetary surface). |
1941 | Skycar (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A personal means of transportation that flies. |
1941 | Joy-boat Junior (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A private space yacht, capable of suborbital journeys. |
1941 | Pseudogravity (from Common Sense by Robert Heinlein) Gravity produced by artifice, rather than by a suitably large mass. |
1941 | Cold-Rest (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Lowering body temperature and metabolic levels, as in hibernation; also called reduced temperature somnolence. |
1941 | Hypnotic injunction (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A method of hypnosis that prevents people from revealing particular information. |
1941 | Group Ego (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A group mind; a single entity that shares a number of bodies. |
1941 | Astrogation (to Astrogate) (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) To navigate in space. |
1941 | Spacegram (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Telegrams of the space lanes. |
1941 | Asteroid Claim Law (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) The legal steps required in claiming an asteroid |
1941 | Thermatite (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Pure energy fuel mined on asteroids. |
1941 | Traffic Control Camera (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated camera system that photographs license plates as cars move past on a road system. |
1941 | Cold-Sleep (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A state of hibernation, created by lowered temperature and metabolism. |
1941 | Newsbox (News-Receptor) (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Also referred to as a microviewer; could search media programming for news on a particular words used in the broadcast. |
1941 | Golden Shuttles (Mechanical Mice) (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice A. Hugi) Very small robots with an appetite for watch parts. |
1941 | Automated Hotel Reservation (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A hotel that did not use clerks; a self-service hotel. |
1941 | 'Chatterbox' News-Receptor (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An appliance for listening to the news that lacked content controls. |
1941 | Bee Wing (from Slacker's Paradise by Malcom Jameson) A flapping wing aircraft in use on Mars. |
1941 | Interplanetary Union Of Spacemen (from Old Fireball by Nat Schachner) An organized union of people who work in space. |
1941 | Automatic Speeding Fine (from Old Fireball by Nat Schachner) An automated device that not only computes the speed of a vehicle, but registers and then issues an electronic citation. |
1941 | Antigrav Boots (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Footgear that negate gravity. |
1941 | Weather Integrator (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An entire technology for controlling the weather. |
1941 | Controlway (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated highway system that takes full operational control of vehicles traveling upon it. |
1941 | Camden Speedster (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A super sports utility vehicle (SUV); it drives on the highway, the water and jumps into the air for short periods. |
1941 | Epileptigenic Ray (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Ray causes uncontrollable spasms in human subjects. |
1941 | Instant Customized Clothing (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A machine that produced a selected item of clothing, on the spot, based on customer demand. |
1941 | Flitter (from Vortex Blaster by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small craft used for short-range journeys. |
1941 | Robopark (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated parking garage. |
1941 | Psychophone (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice A. Hugi) A device that allows the user to tune their mind to a future reality - a time-traveling device. |
1941 | Solar Energy Beam (from Masquerade by Clifford Simak) A solar energy plant on Mercury provides power for projects all over the solar system. |
1941 | Dewlog (from The Traitor by Karl von Rachen) A drug with the side-effect of virtually eliminating hunger. |
1941 | Stunner (from Fire-Power by S.D. Gottesman) A non-lethal weapon; typically used like a firearm but only renders its victim unconscious. |
1941 | Terraforming (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) The process of modifying a planetary surface to resemble those of an ideal earth; affects the entire biosphere. |
1941 | Robot Mother (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice A. Hugi) A self-replicating robot, which creates a series of helper bots that adapt to conditions as needed. |
1941 | Space Tanned (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A tan acquired by being exposed to sunlight while outside the atmosphere. |
1941 | Magnetized Boots (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Special shoes to allow walking in and around a metal ship with no artificial gravity. |
1941 | Parking Orbit (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An orbit from which access to the planet's surface via a small auxiliary vessel is quick and uncomplicated. |
1941 | Space Legs (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) The ability to walk under high gee acceleration on a space ship. |
1941 | Lunar Used Spacecraft Lot (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A sales lot for used spacecraft |
1941 | Positronic Brain (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) A computer CPU with the capacity to rival a human brain. |
1941 | Paralyzing Eye (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) False eye contains mechanism for causing brief paralysis. |
1941 | Vanwinkling (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) Another name for time-traveling into the future. |
1941 | Momentum Screen (from Completely Automatic by Theodore Sturgeon) Allows a spacemen to avoid the problem of "high gee" forces on take-off. |
1941 | Mind Control Genetically Modified Food (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Plants that are modified to produce specific combinations of flavors. |
1941 | Improve Memory (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Help immortals make sense of their memories. |
1941 | Oxygen Freshener (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) A device that removed carbon dioxide from air and replaced it with fresh oxygen. |
1941 | Neoterics (from Microcosmic God by Theodore Sturgeon) Pure engineering genius on tap. |
1941 | Roving Bomb (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Special zero-gee guided bomb. |
1941 | Space Overalls (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Light-duty space suit. |
1941 | Metal Solvent Ray Thrower (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Acts like a flame thrower in space. |
1941 | Blastick (from The Traitor by Karl von Rachen) A scorching beam weapon |
1941 | Electrono-Mirror (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Focuses the sun's rays on a planetary surface for terraforming purposes. |
1941 | Charted Planetoid Mines (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Charting the planetoids and minor bodies for mining purposes. |
1941 | Space Placers (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Miners who use placer mining techniques adapted from Earth geology. |
1941 | Talking Speedometer (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) A gauge that tells you its value verbally |
1941 | A-Bomb (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Abbreviation for "atomic bomb". |
1941 | Sleep Surrogate (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Pharmaceutical designed to make up for lost sleep. |
1941 | Disinto (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A disintegrating ray. |
1941 | Slidewalk (from Sanity by Fritz Leiber) A moving sidewalk; a conveyor belt for people. |
1941 | Fresher (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Short for "refreshing chamber,", it is the future of personal hygiene technology. |
1941 | Self-Lighting Cigarette (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A cigarette with a matchhead built in. |
1941 | Howard Families (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A project designed to produce a group of people with exceptionally long life. |
1941 | Alterable License Number (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A device which permits a driver to alter the license plate without leaving the vehicle. |
1941 | Orbital Mirror (from Completely Automatic by Theodore Sturgeon) A huge reflective surface in orbit around a planet or moon, the purpose of which is to focus sunlight onto the surface. |
1941 | Energy Weapon (from Seesaw by A.E. van Vogt) A device that fires pure energy, used as a weapon. |
1941 | Pilot Beam (from Methuselah's Children by Murray Leinster) A signalling device that space craft in orbit descending to Earth could home in on and land. |
1941 | Negative Safety-Field (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A paragravity-based shield for space craft. |
1941 | Space Socks (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Protective garments for the lower extremities. |
1941 | Thermalarm Relays (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Detects objects by their heat radiation, so space craft can maneuver around them. |
1941 | Igloo-Shaped Space Shelter (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Easy to set up on airless asteroids. |
1941 | Time Line (from Time Wants A Skeleton by Ross Rocklynne) The sequence of events leading up to, and past, this moment. |
1941 | Robotics (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) The engineering field encompassing the creation and maintenance of robots. |
1941 | Anti-Robot Propaganda (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) Human activity against robots. |
1941 | Identification Beacon (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Radio pulse to identify orbiting craft. |
1941 | Interplanetary Clearance (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Bureaucratic red tape associated with busy space ports. |
1941 | Rubber Soled Feet (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) Silent padding for clanky robots. |
1941 | Young Blood - New Blood For Old (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Replacing the blood plasma of older people with material from younger people. |
1941 | Asteroid Lanes (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Regular routes traversed by asteroids. |
1941 | Squeaker (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Used to search out radium in asteroids. |
1941 | Humanoid (from Homo Sol by Isaac Asimov) An alien with a human-like shape and appearance. |
1941 | Psycho-History (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) The application of psychology to historical data. |
1941 | Hypnosis Ray (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) Eases the words of dictators into the minds of the credulous. |
1941 | Sleep Destroying Field (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Causes lack of sleep. |
1941 | Automatic Refueling Screen (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Repels objects that are too big, and gathers small ones for fuel. |
1941 | Delayed Action Stereoscopic Principle (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Distinguishing far off space craft by relative speed against the fixed stars. |
1941 | Space Rush (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) The Outer Space equivalent of the gold rush. |
1941 | Spacehound (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Oddly canine, telepathic beast digs in asteroids for metal. |
1941 | Paragravity (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Artificial gravity. |
1941 | Space-Burned (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Analogous to sun-burned. |
1941 | Antimatter (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Contraterrene Matter (Seetee) |
1941 | Photophone (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A line-of-sight communications device using light beams. |
1941 | Asterite (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A person who was born and lived amongst the asteroids. |
1941 | Plastifoam (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Used to seal large leaks in space craft. |
1941 | Seetee Blinker (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A marker of contraterrene matter (antimatter) asteroids, to aid in interplanetary navigation. |
1941 | Roboticist (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A person who creates or works with robots. |
1941 | Fire Storm (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) When clouds of antimatter dust encountered ordinary matter spaceships. |
1941 | Pilot-Robot (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) The piloting gear of a space tug. |
1941 | Dirigible Space Armor (Working Space Suits) (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Heavy-duty space suits for mining work on asteroids. |
1942 | Vac Suit (from Child of the Sun by Leigh Brackett) A space suit, designed for use in vacuum. |
1942 | Slideway (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A slidewalk, or moving walkway, that moves people forward. |
1942 | Gravanol (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) A medicine or supplement that helps astronauts deal better with high accelerations. |
1942 | Sobriety Ray (from The Twonky by Lewis Padgett) A ray of a particular wavelength and intensity, that conferred instant sobriety on those it shone upon. |
1942 | Atomics (from Nerves by Lester del Rey) The field of nuclear energy. |
1942 | Radiation Garment (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Clothing worn by ordinary citizens to reduce the risk of radiation exposure. |
1942 | The Twonky (from The Twonky by Lewis Padgett) A robotic device from the future, constructed to look like a 1940's radio cabinet. |
1942 | Thought-Screen (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A device that prevents other people from taking over control of your thoughts and mind. |
1942 | Black Coating (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A material that absorbs practically all incident light. |
1942 | Insosuit (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) A space suit specially designed to resist extreme heat. |
1942 | Three Laws of Robotics (Rules of Robotics) (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) The original formulation of Asimov's laws of robotics. |
1942 | Martian Sawgrass (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) Specialized variety of plant that is used to provide oxygen for space stations. |
1942 | Wabbler (from The Wabbler by Murray Leinster) An autonomous underwater robot. |
1942 | Xenephrene Interstellar World (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) A planet not attached to a solar system. |
1942 | Venus Equilateral Relay Station (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) A converted asteroid that served as the relay station for telecommunications throughout the solar system. |
1942 | Broomstick Speedster (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A two-seater craft capable of spaceflight; it used radiant power to achieve orbit. |
1942 | Interplanetary Communications Center (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) The backbone for a solar system-wide communications system. |
1942 | Directrix Z9M9Z (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A control center ship for a vast space armada. |
1942 | Capillotomer (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automatic shaving machine |
1942 | Radiant Power Receptor (DeKalbs) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A device which received and used energy transmitted from a station or satellite. |
1942 | News Roundup (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A device that presents brief story outlines, any of which can be chosen to find details. |
1942 | Time Dredge (from Time Dredge by Robert Arthur) A device that scoops up material from the past, and returns it to the present. |
1942 | Waldo (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A telefactoring device; also known as the Waldo F. Jones Synchronous Reduplicating Pantograph. |
1942 | Stasis Field (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) Energy field which prevents time from passing inside the field walls; no time passes, nobody gets hurt. |
1942 | Control Natural (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A person who is allowed to have an unmodified genetic makeup. |
1942 | Telaudiogram (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) An interplanetary communication method. |
1942 | Space Tugs (from Describe a Circle by Eric Frank Russell) Early use of familiar ocean vehicle in space. |
1942 | Thermodyne Heat Ray (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) Device focuses, and projects, a heat beam. |
1942 | Groundhog (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Not a space professional. |
1942 | Gravitation Paralysis (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Dread illness of space travelers striking when changing from very weak to very strong gravities. |
1942 | Meteorscope (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) A device that probes ahead in space detecting swarms of deadly meteors. |
1942 | Weight-Shoes (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Devices intended to make it easier to walk on celestial bodies with weaker gravity. |
1942 | Vestan Parasite (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Semi-intelligent creatures that take control of the nervous system of other animals. |
1942 | Electric Wall (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) A wall of electric force. |
1942 | Zero-G Ashtray (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) An ashtray designed for use on a space station. |
1942 | Wheelchair Space Station (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A home in space. |
1942 | Energy Converter (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) Massive unit on the sunside of Mercury converts heat into energy, and beams it around the solar system. |
1942 | Auto-Clerk (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automated accounting system. |
1942 | Fairy Digits (Tiny Waldoes) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Waldoes used for very fine work. |
1942 | Alien Self-Government (from Co-Operate or Else by A.E. van Vogt) Rules to assure intelligent aliens the right to govern themselves in freedom. |
1943 | Force Pencil (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Device straps to forearm, projects a force beam. |
1943 | Meteor-Spotting Radar (from Recoil by George O. Smith) A device to warn spacecraft of oncoming meteors. |
1943 | Pain Canopy (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Pain by nerve induction improves interrogation. |
1943 | Usuform Robot (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A robot designed strictly along functional lines. |
1943 | Impervium (from Clash by Night by Lawrence O'Donnell) Unique material is impenetrable and indestructible. |
1943 | Usuform Robot Bartender (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A robotic bartender that is designed along purely functional lines. |
1943 | Verhaeren Factor (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) Provides autonomous robots with the capacity for independent creative action. |
1943 | Robot Taste Buds (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) A sensor for robots that would allow it to taste foods like a human being. |
1943 | Robot Chef (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) Creative, autonomous robotic cook. |
1943 | Micro Book (Microbook) (from One Way Trip by Anthony Boucher) A very small volume, possibly an electronic book. |
1943 | Rod of Wrath (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A sword made of light. |
1943 | Flame Barrier (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A form of protective force field. |
1943 | Plastibulb (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) A squeezable drink container. |
1943 | Treatment of Extramundane Aborigines (from Symbiotica by Eric Frank Russell) Laws for aliens on their own planet. |
1943 | Royalties For Imitation Learning Subjects (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A payment to people who are used as subjects for imitation learning by robots. |
1943 | Deceleration Chambers (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) Stressed, the ship breaks apart into parts that may survive. |
1943 | Inviolability Field (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A kind of field of force built into a robe, to protect an individual person. |
1943 | Adjustable House (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A house with elastic walls and structural members, the shape of which can be changed. |
1943 | Manshell (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A spaceship large enough for just one man; also an escape pod. |
1943 | Visigraphic Crowd Emotional Record (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A graphic record of the emotions of a crowd. |
1943 | Space Weather Map (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A map that details hazardous space conditions. |
1943 | Stratoyacht (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A privately-owned pleasure craft capable of attaining orbit. |
1943 | Durasteel (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) More durable than steel? |
1943 | Airpolo (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) Polo played in mid-air with special aircraft and helium-filled balls. |
1943 | Viewscreen Pentagon (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A display with a central, pentagonal display surrounded by square displays attached to the sides. |
1943 | Off-World (from Judgement Night by C.L. Moore) Not of Earth. |
1943 | Space Cadet (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A young person training to be a spaceman. |
1943 | Coldlight (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A means of producing illumination that does not produce heat. |
1943 | Filmag (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A video magazine. |
1943 | Aladur (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) High tensile strength, lightweight material. |
1943 | Pneumo-Slacks (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) Pants that make you look beefier. |
1943 | Vastening (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) It's hard to describe, but it's a robotic sense perception. |
1943 | Personality Alteration (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Permanent alternation of personality, the tools of the trade. |
1943 | Rocketeer (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A person who pilots rockets. |
1943 | Solidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Long distance projection of three-dimensional images. |
1943 | Zeroentropy Spray (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A method of reducing the disorder of an object as much as possible, reducing the temperature close to absolute zero. |
1943 | Telesolidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Projects three-dimensional images at great distances. |
1944 | Robotic Arm (from City by Clifford Simak) A specialized robotic reaching and grasping device. |
1944 | Relations with Extraterrestrial Life (from Ogre by Clifford Simak) Instructions to earth citizens on how to behave when encountering alien civilizations. |
1944 | Battle Integrator (from The Bureaucrat by Malcom Jameson) A three-dimensional representation of warfare in space. |
1944 | Star Base (from Star Base X by R.M. Williams) An installation or station at an important interstellar location. |
1944 | Asteroid Mining Robot (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous robot able to effectively mine asteroids. |
1944 | Robot Voice (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) A voice box for a robot that is an analog of the human voice system. |
1944 | Energy Screen (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) A field of force. |
1944 | Multiple Robot Team (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) A set of robots, with the leader able to coordinate the activities of less intelligent subsidiary robots. |
1944 | Robot Lawn Mower (from City by Clifford Simak) An automated lawn mower. |
1944 | Life Blanket (from Ogre by Clifford Simak) Sentient moss which, when draped over the shoulders of a human being, becomes fully self-aware, providing valuable services. |
1944 | Automatic Massager (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) An autonomous massage machine with robotic arms and hands. |
1944 | Eternity Drug (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) A medication that puts a person into a deep hibernation-like sleep for decades at a time. |
1944 | Suit-Radio (from Long Way by George O. Smith) A means of communication between two individuals clad in space suits. |
1945 | Vision Plate (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) A flat panel monitor. |
1945 | Electronic Locator (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A device that determines the location of a person. |
1945 | Meteor Blasters (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) Energy beams that would destroy space debris or rocks that lay in the path of a spacecraft. |
1945 | Geosynchronous Satellite (from V2 for Ionospheric Research by Arthur C. Clarke) A communications satellite that appears to "hover" over one spot on the earth's surface; it goes around the earth in twenty-four hours. |
1945 | Sleeve Communicator (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) An electronic device controller built into clothing. |
1945 | Plastic Constructor (3D Printer) (from Things Pass By by Murray Leinster) A 3D printer - for spaceships. |
1945 | Videophone (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A person-to-person communication device that can transmit both picture and sound. |
1945 | Games Machine (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A vast computer system. |
1945 | Overdrive (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) A propulsion technology that allows a craft to travel at faster-than-light speed. |
1945 | Escapecraft (from The Ethical Equations by Murray Leinster) A small spacecraft used when abandoning the main ship. |
1945 | Ship Hull Thermobatteries (from The Ethical Equations by Murray Leinster) Solar activated and charged batteries built into the hull of a spacecraft. |
1946 | Pocket Universe (from Pocket Universes by Murray Leinster) A created, separate space within the normal space of the universe. |
1946 | Star Travel (from Forgotten World by Edmond Hamilton) Undertaking a journey between the stars. |
1946 | Gravity Port (from Shadow Over Venus by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) Used for refueling. |
1946 | Logics Service (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) A networked service that retains all of your personal information, schedules and phone messages online. |
1946 | Asteroid Mine (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) The practice of seeking out and mining asteroids for their ore. |
1946 | Logics (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) Machines that let you request information, and then display it for you on a screen. |
1946 | Tanks (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) Device that provides mass storage of information. |
1946 | Plastic Igloo (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) A heavy plastic shelter for use in airless environments. |
1946 | Mining Worm (Robot) (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) An autonomous mining robot shaped like a worm. |
1946 | Carson Circuit (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) A means of distinguishing betweem millions of different information sources - the secret of the Internet. |
1946 | Roboticist (from Evidence by Isaac Asimov) A person who works on robots. |
1946 | Spotcast (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) A new form of one-to-many communication. |
1946 | Robot Bus (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) An autonomous vehicle to transport groups of people. |
1947 | Psychoscanner (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) A device capable of taking impressions, feelings and memories from living brains; it can be used on animals as well. |
1947 | Wango Wave (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Energy surge that accompanies the entrance into, and exit from, overdrive outside of normal space. |
1947 | Hedgerly Effect (from Meddler's Moon by George O. Smith) A means of producing a gravitational field artificially. |
1947 | Synchrophased Power Beams (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Focuses energy beams from multiple planets on the same object. |
1947 | Gravitic Generator (from Meddler's Moon by George O. Smith) A device that produces an artificial gravity field. |
1947 | Planet-Smasher (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Devices capable of destroying an entire planet. |
1947 | Gyrocab (from You Are Forbidden! by Jerry Shelton) A flying taxi. |
1947 | Mechanical Funeral (from The Coffin by Ray Bradbury) An entirely autonomous burial rite. |
1947 | Ion Drive (from Equalizer by Jack Williamson) A space drive that emits a stream of ions as reaction mass; it starts out slow but builds up to interstellar speeds. |
1947 | Space-Dory (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) A small spacecraft sometimes used as a life boat. |
1947 | Prime Directive (from With Folded Hands by Jack Williamson) The first and most important rule; usually protective. |
1947 | Asteroid Nets (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) Capturing small asteroids or fragments using rocket nets. |
1948 | Telescreen (from 1984 by George Orwell) Very early use of the idea of using technology to monitor human activity at a distance. |
1948 | Tag-Along Balloon (from Gentlemen, Be Seated by Robert Heinlein) A bladder-like device that both finds and temporarily fixes leaks in moon tunnels or space station habitats. |
1948 | Crimestop (from 1984 by George Orwell) The faculty of stopping short, as though by instict, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. |
1948 | Gravity Centrifuge (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Used in low gravity environments to build up muscle for visits to Earth, or other high gravity worlds. |
1948 | Moonquake-Proof Habitats (from Gentlemen, Be Seated by Robert Heinlein) Moonbases that are built to withstand quakes on the Moon. |
1948 | Doublethink (from 1984 by George Orwell) A mental discipline that is an exact contradiction to the basic principles of scientific inquiry. |
1948 | Learning-Cap (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) A special metal helmet for electro-education. |
1948 | Microwavable Food (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Food that is prepared specifically for use in a microwave (high-frequency) oven. |
1948 | Rewriting History (from 1984 by George Orwell) Use of sophisticated technology to continuously rewrite the historical record. |
1948 | High-Frequency Oven (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) This describes the essence of a microwave. |
1948 | Atmospheric Braking (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Using a planet's atmosphere to gradually decelerate a spacecraft. |
1948 | Star Drive (from Genius by Poul Anderson) The propulsion unit for an interstellar space craft. |
1948 | Novel-Writing Machines (from 1984 by George Orwell) A device that automatically produces fiction. |
1948 | Solidograph-Projector (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) A device that projected a 3D image of objects or a person. |
1948 | Memory Hole (from 1984 by George Orwell) A receptacle for unwanted documents. |
1948 | Personal Rocket Jet (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) A small, handheld jet pack that can be used to maneuver freely in space. |
1948 | Moonbase (or Moon Base) (from 240,000 Miles Straight Up by L. Ron Hubbard) A base of operations on Earth's moon. |
1948 | Portable Telephone (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) The essence of a cell phone. |
1948 | Precog (v) (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) To see the future. |
1948 | Space Ark (from Decision Illogical by N.B. Wilkinson) A very large ship used to transport a large group of people. |
1948 | Speakwrite (from 1984 by George Orwell) A dictation machine that also transcribes the speech into typed words. |
1948 | Brain Erasure (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) Deleting selected knowledge from the brain using electrical impulses. |
1948 | Electro-Education (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) The latest thing in electrically stimulated learning. |
1948 | Versificator (from 1984 by George Orwell) A device that composes words to music. |
1949 | Quizzer (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) An autonomous mind-probe. |
1949 | Gee (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret Saint Clair) Using the standard letter designation in physics for gravity. |
1949 | Skimmer (from Lost Ulysses by W.L. Bade) Low-flying, hovering vehicle. |
1949 | Spacewarp Drive (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A means of faster-than-light travel. |
1949 | Desert Cabbage (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) A giant plant that regulates its internal temperature even on Mars. |
1949 | 'Fresher (from Gulf by Robert Heinlein) Short for 'refreshing chamber', a device that performs various personal services. |
1949 | Mind-Lock (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A device that confines a mind within its own shielded area. |
1949 | Vivo-Gel (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Semi-living material. |
1949 | Visiglobe (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A display that provided a spherical, 3D visualization of a scene. |
1949 | Mind-Parasite (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Takes over the cognition of a host organism. |
1949 | Telepath Transmitter (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A device for long distance communication that makes use of telepathy. |
1949 | Repulsor (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A device that inhibits the action of a spacewarp drive. |
1949 | Metal Calculator Planet (from Limiting Factor by Clifford Simak) A planet covered entirely with machinery to a height of twenty miles and covered with a metal roof. |
1949 | Emergency Treatment Tank (Chamber) (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A fully enclosed regeneration device. |
1949 | Synthetigrav (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) General term for any of the fields produced by synthetic gravity devices. |
1949 | Stationary Automatic Blaster (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) An automated defensive blaster. |
1949 | Self-Igniter (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A self-lighting cigarette. |
1949 | Space Scurvy (Kenoalgia) (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret Saint Clair) A wasting disease of space travel. |
1949 | Three Generation Work (Century Piece) (from The Sub-Standard Sardines by Jack Vance) An artwork created by three consecutive generations of artists, in exactly one century. |
1949 | Herculoy (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A very strong alloy like steel. |
1949 | Fluor Strips (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret Saint Clair) Lighting long narrow devices. |
1949 | Shari (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret Saint Clair) A multipurpose net worn as clothing. |
1949 | Painted Masks (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) Children choose to decorate otherwise uniform equipment masks. |
1949 | Resilian (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A natural fiber that is as strong as steel. |
1949 | Bolt Anti-Grav (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret Saint Clair) This device produces a torus-shaped discharge that causes weightlessness. |
1950 | Anti-Tri-D Shot (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) Counteracts the deadly pesticide Tri-D. |
1950 | Building With Lunar Materials (from The Moon is Hell by John W. Campbell) Using a planet's materials to make what you need. |
1950 | Tractatruck (from The Moon is Hell by John W. Campbell) Combination tractor and truck used for hauling and exploration. |
1950 | Hybrid Mass Driver (from The Man Who Sold The Moon by Robert Heinlein) A device for launching space craft on the first stage of a journey to space. |
1950 | Tri-D (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) A remarkable pesticide. |
1950 | Diaheliper (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) Offers delivery of diapers by air. |
1950 | Haberman (from Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith) Modified humans controlled by cybernetic implants. |
1950 | Nexialist (from Voyage of the Space Beagle by A.E. van Vogt) A person with a coordinative knowledge across a variety of sciences. |
1950 | Culture Tank (from Needle by Hal Clement) Germs that eat garbage and produce oil. |
1950 | Computer-Controlled House (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A residence that is an autonomous robotic system. |
1950 | Walker Wagon (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) Robotic vehicle with a trough-like body and many mechanical legs. |
1950 | Underpeople (from The Ballad of Lost C'Mell by Cordwainer Smith) An animal modified to be human in shape and intellect. |
1950 | The Machines (from The Evitable Conflict by Isaac Asimov) A few of these can run a planetary economy. |
1950 | Yeast Steak (from The Evitable Conflict by Isaac Asimov) Growing custom strains of yeast as food. |
1950 | Two-Wheeled Ground Car (from First Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A gyro-stabilized vehicle like an enclosed motorcycle. |
1950 | Sand Ship (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A wind-powered vehicle in the desert. |
1950 | Gravity Drive (from Star Ship by Poul Anderson) A spaceship propulsion method that uses gravity or gravity waves. |
1950 | Torch (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) The orifice from which issued the reaction mass of an atomic powered space craft. |
1950 | Fontema (from First Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A strange two 'wheeled' animal. |
1950 | Earthport (from The Ballad of Lost C'Mell by Cordwainer Smith) A massive spaceport that reared up from the surface of the earth to the edge of the atmosphere. |
1950 | Quickthaw (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A microwave oven to heat food items quickly. |
1950 | Space Platform (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) The Space Platform for Checking Aggression is a military orbital weapons platform. |
1950 | Shuttle (from Stars are Styx by Theodore Sturgeon) A space craft that travels point to point in space. |
1950 | Stratovideo (Television Plane) (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) An aircraft with studios that continuously broadcast line-of-sight television. |
1950 | Mass-Conversion Ship (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A spacecraft that uses the ultimate in fuel sources. |
1950 | Syntho-Steak (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) Artificially produced meat. |
1950 | Automatic Light Switch (from The Man Who Sold The Moon by Robert Heinlein) A device that senses if an illuminated room is empty, and turns off the light. |
1950 | Voice-Clock (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A clock that could state the time out loud. |
1950 | Helicab (from Heli-Cab Hack by John Weston) A taxi cab that flies using helicopter rotors. |
1950 | Robot Mice (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) Tiny cleaning robots. |
1950 | Robotic Dishwasher (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A fully automated solution to the dishwashing problem. |
1950 | FTL (from The Enchanted Forest by Fritz Leiber) Abbreviation for "faster than light". |
1950 | Regeneration Tank (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) A nutrient bath large enough to enclose a person that preserved life and treated disease. |
1950 | Hive-Mind (from Second Night of Summer by James Schmitz) A group mind. |
1950 | Nucleocat Cureall (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) Only human cells can survive contact. |
1950 | Shipboard Medical Treatment (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) An elaborate system to guard against infection in returning space explorers. |
1951 | Microwire (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A very thin wire used for recording purposes. |
1951 | Anti-Spying Device (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Foolproof means of defending against spy beams. |
1951 | Neutron Disruption Blaster (from The Complete Paratime by H. Beam Piper) Beam pistol which splits neutrons into protons and electrons, releasing enormous energy. |
1951 | Movable Slideway (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A slideway (moving sidewalk) that can be extended to a spaceship to ease the debarkation process. |
1951 | Mechanical Teacher (from The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov) A computer device able to teach children. |
1951 | Half-Sphere Force Field (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A protective force field that can manifest even as a half-sphere. |
1951 | Pocket Nucleo-Bulb (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A nuclear-powered pocket-sized flashlight. |
1951 | Machine Test Scoring (from The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov) A device that scans a specially prepared grade sheet and determines a student's score. |
1951 | Personal Force-Shield (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A portable force-shield small enough to be carried by a single man. |
1951 | The Veldt (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) A nursery that comes alive for the viewer. |
1951 | Telebook (from The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov) A book made available in text on a television screen. |
1951 | Winged Rocket Shuttle (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A sort of plane that briefly reached space while traveling between points on a planet. |
1951 | Surrogate Skin (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) False skin that is sprayed onto damaged areas. |
1951 | Flying Saucer (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) Spacecraft flown by the androgynes of Titan - under control of the Puppetmasters. |
1951 | Agricultural World (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Planet set aside for the production of food for another world. |
1951 | Molecule Matrix (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) Storing information in individual molecules and atoms. |
1951 | Neuronic Whip (from The Stars, Like Dust by Isaac Asimov) A weapon that stimulated the nerve endings to cause extreme discomfort. |
1951 | Helmet-Mounted Display Screen (from Rock Diver by Harry Harrison) A small electronic display mounted for easy viewing. |
1951 | Shuttle Ship (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A spacecraft that could take off from a planet, rendezvous with an object in orbit, and fly back to the surface like a glider. |
1951 | Guided Missile Control Station (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An orbital missile base. |
1951 | Vibratory Mass Penetrator (from Rock Diver by Harry Harrison) A device that allows a person to walk through earth and even solid rock. |
1951 | Robass (from The Quest for Saint Aquin by Anthony Boucher) A robotic beast of burden. |
1951 | Autocab (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An fully automated taxi cab. |
1951 | Martian Perambulator (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A mechanized transport for heavy gravity environments for beings born in lower gravity environments. |
1951 | Security Restraint Field (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A force field that restricts personal movement. |
1951 | Psychohistory (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Branch of mathematics describes the behavior of human beings en masses. |
1951 | Space Transfer Station (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An orbiting space station primarily used as a stepping-off point from Earth. |
1951 | Spinning Pressurized Drum (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) Put a spin on just a part of a space station. |
1951 | Powered artificial exoskeleton (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A robotic device designed to support someone too weak to comfortably move in high gravity. |
1951 | Ultrawave Relay (or Hyperwave Relay) (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Instantaneous, faster-than-light communication system. |
1951 | Dominator (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Device implants a psychological block. |
1951 | Asteroid Garden (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) A method for building a greenhouse on a small, airless body. |
1951 | Suction Mail Tube (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An evacuated tube system carrying mail to residences. |
1951 | Self-Adjusting Furniture (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) Automatic adjustment for a perfect fit. |
1951 | Robotic Chess Expert (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) A robot that plays chess at a level that no human can match. |
1951 | Metal Foil Advertisement (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An advertising circular made out of metal. |
1951 | Mentophone (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) A device that facilitates long-distance telepathy. |
1951 | Odorophonics (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) A system capable of reproducing selected scents capable of fooling the human nervous system. |
1951 | Zag House (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) A means of implanting dreams. |
1951 | Cold-Sleep (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A form of induced suspended animation, in which a person enters a state like hibernation. |
1951 | Vocalex Kitchen (from The Jester by William Tenn) Voice command automatic kitchen. |
1951 | Airtight Tent (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) A temporary structure for living on an airless moon or asteroid. |
1951 | Flavor-Fix Rheostat (from The Jester by William Tenn) Technology makes sure that the flavor of automatically-produced food is perfect. |
1951 | Self-Sealing Plastic (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) Transparent sheeting with a layer of material that would flow to staunch tiny leaks. |
1951 | Ontogenetic Adaptation (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Immediate genetic-level ability to eat alien plants. |
1951 | Teledar (from The Jester by William Tenn) Three-dimensional television. |
1951 | Dirt-Farming (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) An archaic method of food production. |
1951 | Robot Comedian (from The Jester by William Tenn) Joke-telling feature added to a standard butler robot. |
1951 | Jump Through Hyperspace (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Device that makes faster-than-light travel possible. |
1951 | Atom-Driven Drill (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) An atomic-powered auger, for use in drilling deep into asteroids. |
1951 | Trantor (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A city that covers the entire surface of the planet. |
1951 | Meson Filter (from The Jester by William Tenn) Provides robots with the ability to tell the difference between jokes that provide a chuckle and jokes that provide a belly laugh. |
1951 | Variable Modifier (from The Jester by William Tenn) Provides the capability of altering standard jokes to fit new circumstances. |
1951 | Personal Capsule (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) An impenetrable device containing information for your eyes only. |
1951 | Butler-Valet Robot (from The Jester by William Tenn) A gentleman's servant, roboticized. |
1951 | Selector Card (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) Pneumatic delivery of book films by using a mechanical form of data storage; selector cards - probably punch cards. |
1951 | Genetic Engineering (from Dragon's Island by Jack Williamson) Direct manipulation of genetic material |
1951 | Vat Meat (Albert) (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Meat grown in a vat. |
1951 | Asteroid Homesteaders' School (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) An institution of learning where regular folks learned how to start a farm on an asteroid. |
1951 | Polaron Beam (from Earthlight (Novella) by Arthur C. Clarke) A unique beam of energy that scatters some of its light at right angles to the direction of propagation. |
1951 | Spy Beam (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A surveillance device that projects energy into a room, revealing conversation taking place. |
1951 | Happylife Home (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An automated multi-media home, which provided the good life to its inhabitants. |
1951 | Force-Field Penknife (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A pocket-sized knife, the blade of which is a force-field. |
1951 | Negative Molecular Motion (from The Universe Between by Alan E. Nourse) A state of matter that has a temperature below absolute zero. |
1951 | Directional Ticket (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A ticket that also has the property of glowing while you are going toward what you bought. |
1951 | Audio Relay (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) A communication device implanted behind the ear; also used as an alarm for wake-up calls. |
1951 | Plasto-Textile (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A fabric that cannot be stained. |
1951 | Finger Watch (from Key Decision by H.B. Fyfe) A ring that contains a working timepiece and a display. |
1951 | Gravitic Repulsion Elevator (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) The elevator was of the new sort that ran by gravitic repulsion. |
1951 | Pail of Air (from A Pail of Air by Fritz Leiber) A small bucket filled with (liquid) air. |
1951 | Static Field (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A defense against a spy beam. |
1951 | Nuclear Shears (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Device uses nuclear power to accomplish basic shop tasks. |
1951 | Calculator Pad (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Used to make psychohistoric calculations |
1951 | Coffee Cube (from The Marching Morons by C.M. Kornbluth) Concentrated coffee that boils itself! |
1951 | Suspensine (from Duel on Syrtis by Poul Anderson) Slows biological functions enough to survive in airless space - for a time. |
1951 | Oxygen Weeds (from The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke) Plants that create oxygen on a planet with little breathable air. |
1951 | Oxygen Concentrator (from Duel on Syrtis by Poul Anderson) Gathers oxygen from a thin atmosphere until it is breathable, supporting life. |
1951 | Smarter People Having Fewer Children (from The Marching Morons by C.M. Kornbluth) The original argument that less suitable human pairs are having proportionally more children. |
1951 | Ultra-Light (from Rock Diver by Harry Harrison) Allows the user to see into rock or other solid matter. |
1951 | Air Speedster (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Highly maneuverable air vehicle for hunting. |
1951 | Single Vehicle Tunnel (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A small diameter tunnel that accepts a single vehicle to a single destination. |
1951 | Sun Dome (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) Used on Venus to give relief from the endless rain. |
1951 | Space Station One (from The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke) Describes an early space station similar to the International Space Station, that grew over time by accretion. |
1952 | Automatic Pilot (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A device to control the movement of aircraft using computer components. |
1952 | Personal Solar Plant (from Ring Around the Sun by Clifford Simak) A single-home solar-powered energy source. |
1952 | Coffiest (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) It's coffee that you can't live without. |
1952 | Barytrine Field (from Troubled Star by George O. Smith) Very large scale stasis field. |
1952 | Tiny Nuclear Generator (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A complete nuclear-based generator of power no bigger than a walnut. |
1952 | Toaster (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) A handheld beam weapon. |
1952 | Medical Use for Weightlessness (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) Early reference to the idea of using a weightless environment for medical purposes. |
1952 | Spray-On Gloves (from Abercrombie Station by Jack Vance) Fashionable evening gloves that are sprayed onto the hand and arm. |
1952 | Space Beacon (from Troubled Star by George O. Smith) An ordinary sun is transformed into a beacon for use by spacecraft when in hyperspace. |
1952 | Spray-On Clothing Web (from Abercrombie Station by Jack Vance) A 'web' clothing foundation that can be sprayed on and then molded by a couturier. |
1952 | Retinal Projection (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A method for projecting advertisements directly on the retina. |
1952 | Compulsive Subsonics (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) An advertising agency works with every part of the audience's brain. |
1952 | Gravital Unit (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) Device that maintains Earth-comparable gravity on an asteroid. |
1952 | Flat Cat (from The Rolling Stones by Robert Heinlein) A nearly two-dimensional furry little beast. |
1952 | Tourist Rocket (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A cheap, unpleasant way to do space travel. |
1952 | Monoline (from Big Planet by Jack Vance) A wind-driven overland transport. |
1952 | Airjeep (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A small military air vehicle. |
1952 | Wall-Light (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) The walls of a room provide illumination. |
1952 | Lunocycle (Lunar Bicycle) (from The Rolling Stones by Robert Heinlein) A bicycle specially adapted for lunar travel. |
1952 | Animal-tissue Culture Vat (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A means of producing artificial meat for food. |
1952 | Ullran Enunciator (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) Special prosthesis needed to aid humans in speaking an alien language. |
1952 | Electronic Spy (from Ring Around the Sun by Clifford Simak) An autonomous device that kept itself hidden while keeping track of an individual's activity. |
1952 | Off-Planet (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) Away from a planet, towards another or into space. |
1952 | Plastissue (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) Artificial flesh. |
1952 | Magneslippers (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) Shoes that adhere to metal space ship floors, useful in null gravity situations. |
1952 | Gas Giant (from Solar Plexus by James Blish) Large planet consisting primarily of gas with a solid core. |
1952 | Nuclear-Field Depressor (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A device that causes nuclear-powered devices to stop working. |
1952 | Solar-powered Prefab House (from Ring Around the Sun by Clifford Simak) A pre-built house that can live off the grid. |
1952 | Self-Repairing Robot (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) A mechanism that can detect faults in itself and repair them. |
1952 | Free Robot (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A robot without a master. |
1952 | Robot Cab Driver (from A Present for Pat by Philip K. Dick) You think you have problems? Robots have the worst problems of anyone. |
1952 | Airplane Window Ads (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) An airplane window that allows you to - see advertisements! |
1952 | Recorded Books (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) Electronically recorded books. |
1952 | Stun Pistol (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A hand-held device that causes unconsciousness. |
1952 | Levitating Path (from A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury) Anti-gravity metal used to make a floating walkway. |
1952 | Soot-Extractor Nostril Plugs (Antisoot Plugs) (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A small device worn to filter industrial pollutants out of breathing air. |
1952 | Menslator (from Troubled Star by George O. Smith) A translator that works by examining the mental image of what you are trying to say. |
1952 | Psychic Probe (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A device capable of discerning truthful information in a living human brain. |
1952 | Panatrope (from Surface Tension by James Blish) A device that modifies human dna to ensure survival in harsh alien environments. |
1952 | Triple Airlock (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) Special device to protect against extremely corrosive atmospheres. |
1952 | Flavor-Capsule (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A small pill used to turn ordinary water into a flavored beverage. |
1952 | Visi-Sonor (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) An entertainment device which appeared to create both sound and light by acting directly on brain cells. It also stimulated emotions directly. |
1952 | Mnemiphot (from The Kokod Warriors by Jack Vance) A device used to search for information, which is then presented on a convenient screen. |
1952 | Automated Wake-Up Call (from The Kokod Warriors by Jack Vance) A device that provides automated wake-up calls. |
1952 | Kite-Copter Car (from The Kokod Warriors by Jack Vance) An observation car suspended below a device that supplies lift. |
1952 | Chicken Little (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) Very early reference to meat grown in a vat for food. |
1952 | Hypnoteleset (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A device that guarantees quick, surrogate sleep. |
1952 | Prism Window (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A device for getting a better view of the ground from inside an airplane. |
1952 | Water Bulb (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A zero-g way to enjoy water. |
1952 | Contragravity Suit (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A suit with antigravity. |
1952 | Broomstick (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) Device to ease movement in a zero-gravity environment. |
1952 | Robodore (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A robot specialized for use as a stevedore, emptying the contents of ships in port. |
1952 | Water Bulb (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A zero-gee dispenser of liquids. |
1952 | Pocket Projector (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A personal device for replaying media. |
1952 | Plasticocoon (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) Holds a prisoner motionless. |
1952 | Hilsch Vortex Tube (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A T-shaped device that admits air under pressure and outputs hot air from side and cold from the other. |
1952 | Robotic Law Tape Safety Valve (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A specific impulse that warns robots contemplating breaking the laws set forth for their behavior. |
1952 | Ribbon World (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A planet that presents the same face to its sun has a small habitable area - the ribbon between light and dark. |
1952 | Robot Manumission (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) The freeing of a robotic being from a state of being owned property. |
1952 | Silencer-Padding (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) Robots need to have special padding on the bottoms of their lower limbs, so they don't clank as they walk. |
1952 | Chlorella Plantation (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A skyscraper designed for food production. |
1952 | Robot Ramp (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A special means of ingress and egress solely for use by mechanical help. |
1952 | Vision Strip (from Orphans of the Void by Orville Shaara) A circular vision strip for robots. |
1952 | Depilatory Soap (from Gravy Planet by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A labor-saving combination of soap and a agent that removes hair. |
1952 | Tree-Grown Wood (from Gravy Planet by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) The natural product, obtained by cutting down a living tree. |
1952 | Light Absorbing/Emitting Ink (from Gravy Planet by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) Ink that can absorb light and then emit it in a burst for advertising purposes. |
1952 | Law of Contact (from Orphans of the Void by Orville Shaara) Non-interference in the development of other worlds. |
1952 | Cylinder Space Suit (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) A mostly rigid, cylindrical space suit. |
1952 | Beeper (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) A handheld radar set, used to find items that have drifted off. |
1952 | Lead-Bodied Android (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) A robot designed for use in the nuclear industry. |
1952 | Flesh Men (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) Thinking beings that are not mechanical robots - human beings. |
1952 | Robot Strike (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) When robots refuse to work. |
1952 | Leak Disk (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) Simple device to temporarily close a leak in a spacecraft. |
1952 | Analogue Treatment (from Ticket to Anywhere by Damon Knight) Hypnotic drug treatment that normalizes behavior in humans. |
1952 | Zero 'g' (Zero Gee) (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) In a ship in orbit, in free fall. |
1952 | Earther (from Make Mine Mars by C.M. Kornbluth) A person born on planet Earth. |
1952 | Droid (First Use) (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) Contraction of "android". |
1953 | Merc-Pool (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) A device that stores information in vibration patterns on a mercury surface. |
1953 | Sunlight Blocker (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) A roughly circular field which denies sunlight to an area of a planet. |
1953 | Yeast-Culture Vats (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) Using cultured yeast as the basis for food production. |
1953 | Worldcraft Bubble (from The Trouble With Bubbles by Philip K. Dick) An incredibly detailed mechanical simulation of a world. |
1953 | Green Bullet (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) A very compact (for 1950) radio transceiver, worn in the ear like a hearing aid. |
1953 | Mechanical Hound (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) An eight-legged robotic "hound" with hypodermic poison fangs. |
1953 | Parlor Wall (TV Parlor) (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) The original "big screen TV" takes up an entire wall of a room. |
1953 | Seashell Radio (Thimble Radios) (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) Small radios that fit into the ears like hearing aids or ear buds. |
1953 | Electronic-Eyed Snake (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) A fully automated stomach pump. |
1953 | Salamander (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) Name given to the fire trucks of the future, which carry kerosene rather than water, and are used to burn houses. |
1953 | Self-Sufficient House (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) A single family residence that required no surrounding infrastructure. |
1953 | Torchship (from Sky Lift by Robert Heinlein) A spaceship capable of high acceleration. |
1953 | Automatic Ticket Machine (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Get your ticket to Trantor automatically. |
1953 | Air-Propelled Train (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) A silent means of mass transit. |
1953 | Big Flue (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) Enormous incinerators serviced directly by helicopter. |
1953 | Robot Psyche Tester (from Colony by Philip K. Dick) An automated psychiatric evaluation device. |
1953 | Sideglance Robe (from The Trouble With Bubbles by Philip K. Dick) A dress that is invisible or opaque, depending on how you look at it. |
1953 | Ring Road (from Starman Jones by Robert Heinlein) A magnetically levitated train. |
1953 | Legislation Analyzer (from The Trouble With Bubbles by Philip K. Dick) Device analyzes potentially biased bills. |
1953 | Hypertracer (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A device that allows a pursuer to follow a spaceship through hyperspace. |
1953 | Claws (Attack Robot) (from Second Variety by Philip K. Dick) Autonomous guard robots that attack living tissue. |
1953 | Space Weakness (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Early description of what happens to the human body in zero gravity. |
1953 | Thigh Grips (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Special chair feature for space ships undergoing accelerations. |
1953 | Robot Door (from Colony by Philip K. Dick) Automated door has some decision-making capabilities, in addition to speech recognition capabilities. |
1953 | Brains (from The Cosmic Blinker by Eando Binder) An electronic brain that is able to do problem solving. This idea seems to be the impetus behind current artificial intelligence that seeks to solve problems, rather than to simulate human intelligenc |
1953 | Rolov (from Roll Out the Rolov! by Christopher Anvil) A specialized robot for the bedroom. |
1953 | Dressing Machine (from Roll Out the Rolov! by Christopher Anvil) A robotic device to serve as a mechanical dresser. |
1953 | Preserving Machine (from The Preserving Machine by Philip K. Dick) A device that would create a unique animal from a piece of classical music. |
1953 | Lens Image (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A presentation of the night sky, calculated for any planet or point in space. |
1953 | Machine Evolution (from Second Variety by Philip K. Dick) An early look at the idea that machines can evolve all by themselves, physically and intellectually. |
1953 | Spot-Wavex Scrambler (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) Provides a more personalized experience of television, by letting the announcers talk to you personally. |
1953 | Short-Wave Surgical Knife (from Boomerang by Eric Frank Russell) A means of performing an internal cut without breaking the skin. |
1953 | Permanent Skywriting (from Soap Opera by Alan Nelson) Non-wispy skywriting letters. |
1953 | Sliver Gun (from The Unreliable Perfumist by Margaret Saint Clair) A firearm that shoots fine darts. |
1953 | Control Screen (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) An alien display device. |
1953 | Vistascreen (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) Large screen entertainment. |
1953 | Planet Buster (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) A bomb so powerful it could destroy a planet. |
1953 | Planetary Globe (from Star of Wonder by Julian May) A craftsman's model of a planet. |
1953 | Morality Rating-Computer (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) A computer system able to determine moral deviancy. |
1953 | City Ship (from Star of Wonder by Julian May) A generation ship, a spacecraft that carries a people to another star. |
1953 | Spacecraft Ejection Seat (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) An ejection seat for spacecraft, to be used in the event of problems during launch. |
1953 | Zero-G Cups (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Cups that were specially designed to be usable under zero gravity conditions. |
1953 | Garbage Screen (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Use of bits of metal to confuse radar targeting of space stations. |
1953 | Artificially Pulsating Star (from The Cosmic Blinker by Eando Binder) A star that has been modified to pulsate with a message to the entire universe. |
1953 | Space Wagon (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) A space vehicle without a cabin, used for short-range towing. |
1953 | Robot Pianist (from Virtuoso by Herbert Goldstone) A robot learns the fine art of playing classical music on the piano. |
1953 | Voice-Activated Door (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) A door that opens upon verbal command. |
1953 | Space Flight Simulator (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Very early description of a way to practice flying in space while still on Earth. |
1953 | Pocket Phone (or pocketphone) (from Assignment in Eternity by Robert Heinlein) A telephone that is not hard wired to the network; a mobile or cell phone. |
1953 | Robotic Conductor (from Paycheck by Philip K. Dick) A robot charged with conductor's duties aboard a bus or other public transportation. |
1953 | Pinlight (from The Game of Rat and Dragon by Cordwainer Smith) Thimble-sized photonuclear bomb. |
1953 | Sound Analysis (from Assignment in Eternity by Robert Heinlein) Improving language teaching by showing the waveform of a spoken word or phrase, and comparing it to standard speech. |
1953 | Speedtalk (from Assignment in Eternity by Robert Heinlein) A constructed language that uses a single sound to stand for a word, achieving great improvements in communication speed. |
1953 | R. Daneel Olivaw (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) A human-like robot, skilled in police work. |
1953 | Prime Radiant (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A projector that puts all of a vast collection of writings on the wall of a special conference room. You could interact with it by writing on the wall; changes were stored. |
1953 | Gravity-Simulator Harness (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Device that simulates gravity's effect on muscles to keep in shape while in space. |
1953 | Transcriber (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A automated transcriptionist - a machine which perfectly translates human speech into words on paper. |
1953 | Pushpot (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) An independent rocket motor that can attach itself to an object bound for space. |
1953 | Magnetic-Soled Shoes (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) A means of walking on a surface in zero gravity. |
1953 | Inflatable Air Lock (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Air lock making use of inflatable side walls to achieve large size. |
1953 | Robant (from The Impossible Planet by Philip K. Dick) A robotic servant. |
1953 | The Shed (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Enormous building needed to assemble giant space craft or space stations. |
1953 | Planoforming (from The Game of Rat and Dragon by Cordwainer Smith) A form of "faster than light" travel allows for interstellar travel. |
1953 | Private Flyer (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) A privately-owned air vehicle that used no control surfaces for maneuvering. |
1953 | Voice in the Ear (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) Project a voice or sound to one individual's ears only. |
1953 | Stardrive (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) Propulsion method that quickly brings a ship's speed to nearly that of light. |
1953 | Autonomous Car Intercommunication (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) Automatic cars talk to each other about everything. |
1953 | Self-Cleaning Autonomous Car (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An automatic vehicle that keeps itself clean. |
1953 | Laws Against Human Drivers (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) The idea that autonomous vehicles should be the only cars on the road, for safety. |
1953 | Positronic Motor (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) A combination of motor and brain; an engine with a cerebellum and a carburetor. |
1953 | Automatobus (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous or self-driving bus seating a number of people. |
1953 | Automatobile (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous private car. |
1953 | Panoramic Viewer (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) Permits observation at a distance, as well as the projection of a holographic image. |
1953 | Dirtside (from Starman Jones by Robert Heinlein) The surface of a planet. |
1953 | Plasta-Skin (from Star Rangers (The Last Planet) by Andre Norton) Artificial Skin |
1953 | Leady (from The Defenders by Philip K. Dick) A radiation-resistant robot. |
1953 | Visicastor (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A person who presents video broadcasts. |
1953 | Space Phobia (from Let 'em Breathe Space! by Lester del Rey) When astronauts have had enough. |
1953 | Buttered Toast Robot (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) What it says on the tin. |
1954 | Guide-Beam (from Time Pawn by Philip K. Dick) A wireless means of controlling and directing the movement of a passenger vehicle. |
1954 | The Dip (from The Meddler by Philip K. Dick) A device that randomly dredges up things from the past... or the future. |
1954 | Human Quarter (from James P. Crow by Philip K. Dick) A ghetto for human beings; in this case, in a world of robots. |
1954 | Hopper (from Lucky Starr and the Oceans of Venus by Isaac Asimov) A vehicle with a single leg and rotors to enhance 'hang time.' |
1954 | Mother-Scanner (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) A device that can see your future through your next birth. |
1954 | Inorganic Evolution (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) A process by which robots could alter their own structure, or the ways that they interact with other robots, to adapt to a changing world. |
1954 | Robot Guard (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) Very early reference to a guard robot. |
1954 | Dermal-Mist Spray (from Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick) Very refreshing for suburbanites. |
1954 | Shatter-Gun (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A hand-held device that literally scrambles the brains of the victim. |
1954 | Cephaloscope (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A device used to detect lying. |
1954 | Voicewriter Screen (Computer Monitor) (from Granny Won't Knit by Theodore Sturgeon) A screen that displays characters. |
1954 | One-Way Passage (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A different way to assure permanent egress. |
1954 | Mechanical Bride (from The Mechanical Bride by Fritz Leiber) A perfect robotic replica of a woman. |
1954 | Space Capsule (from Space Capsule by E.R. James) A minimal space craft. |
1954 | Robot Farmer (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) A humanoid robot used for agriculture. |
1954 | Mecho-Clothing (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) Apparel created entirely by machines. |
1954 | Mnemonic Service (from Sucker Bait by Isaac Asimov) Dedicated humans who collected bits of data in hopes of catching key correlations between fields of study. |
1954 | Pod-Chair (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A living chair, grown by the Iszc to perform its function. |
1954 | Synapsis-Coils (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) Human-like storage for computers. |
1954 | Gravity neutralizing paint (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) Paint or coating that neutralized the effects of gravity on whatever it was painted on. |
1954 | Sceneshifter (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) An automated display device that produced random pictorial presentations. |
1954 | Suit-Shield Fabric (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) A kind of mesh fabric that could absorb energy bolts. |
1954 | Airmakers (from The Big Rain by Poul Anderson) Machine to create breathable air from the constituent materials on an alien planet. |
1954 | Histo-Research (from The Meddler by Philip K. Dick) Historical research using a time machine. |
1954 | Mechanical Tune-Maker (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) An electromechanical device that created unique music. |
1954 | Lash-Tube (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) Device emits an energy beam. |
1954 | Trace Web (from Souvenir by Philip K. Dick) A small, handheld device that contacts (and even instantiates) the larger network. |
1954 | Self-Selling Robot (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A robot that sells itself. |
1954 | Web (Data Network) (from Souvenir by Philip K. Dick) An information network. |
1954 | Relay (from Souvenir by Philip K. Dick) A central information system used to coordinate all of human culture and technology. |
1954 | Hypno-Motor Control (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A means of controlling the body remotely, cutting off the need for local control (ie, by your mind). |
1954 | Sales Robot (Robot Salesman) (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) Fully automated robots giving untiring, incessant sales pitches to customers. |
1954 | Repair Robots (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) Autonomous robots that carry out maintenance functions on a space ship. |
1954 | Jiffi-scuttler (from Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick) A device providing near instantaneous travel between two points. |
1954 | Universal Dictionary (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A machine that provided references to anything known. |
1954 | Reading Plate (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A flat screen that provided computer output for viewing. |
1954 | Plastirobe (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A dress that varies in opacity by distance. |
1954 | Visual Ad (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) An advertisement that forces its way directly into the brain of the viewer. |
1954 | Boat-Tree (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A tree, the pods of which can be grown as boats. |
1954 | Retinal Vid-Screen (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A tiny display surgically implanted directly in the retina of the eye. |
1954 | Nanomachine Swarm (Black Cloud) (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) A cloud of tiny machines, able to work together autonomously. |
1954 | Truth Meter (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A lie detector. |
1954 | Copter Harness (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A single person flying machine. |
1954 | Law Clerk Robot (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A robotic lawyer. |
1954 | TBR (Talk Between Robots) Circuit (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A special means of communications used by robots to speak with each other. |
1954 | Automatic Companion Robot (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A robotic replacement for a pet or friend. |
1954 | Consumption Robots (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) Humanoid robots placed in the position of consuming material goods to relieve human beings of the burden. |
1954 | Central Guide-Beam (from Shell Game by Philip K. Dick) A kind of signal that demonstrates the best possible path to a destination in space and even provides motive power. |
1954 | Commute Ship (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) Spacecraft used for traversing daily grind between Earth and the planet you work on. |
1954 | Compassion Circuit (from Compassion Circuit by John Wyndham) A special robotic component that allows the robot to weigh harm and benefit in carrying out commands. |
1954 | Radiant (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A chip that is injected into the shoulder, providing positioning and information about the subject. |
1954 | Tri-Type Record (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A printed card that stores information about a person, including a perfect three-dimensional representation. |
1954 | Sentry Trees (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A set of trees that will allow only those with the safe signal to pass. |
1954 | Radiant Shield (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A device that would effectively prevent an implanted radiant from being detected or read. |
1954 | Metal Insects (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) Small autonomous flying winged robots. |
1954 | House Trees (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Living trees grown as houses; large hollow pods serve as living spaces. |
1954 | Spacelanes Traffic Jam (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) Fanciful description of commuters in space. |
1954 | Feeler-Planes (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Special sensors that make extremely detailed three-dimensional models. |
1954 | Anti-Gerasone (from Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) Cheap immortality comes to your neighborhood convenience store. |
1954 | Prethink (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) The ability to predict the future in a routine perceptual manner. |
1954 | Tanglefoot Field (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A force field that would not harm but merely entangle and stop anyone (or anything) caught in it. |
1954 | One-Man Car (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A small transport vehicle. |
1954 | Polarized Window (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Rather than curtains, use the window to control the light. |
1954 | Roboscribe (from End as a Robot by Richard Marsten) A robotic writer of hard-bitten detective yarns. |
1954 | Finger Jet Bath (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) The ultimate in luxury tubs. |
1954 | Public Vehicle Tube (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Underground transportation tubes. |
1954 | Thought Pattern Divination (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Attempting to construct the thoughts of a person by imitating their actions. |
1955 | Probe Screen Hood (from The Hood Maker ('Immunity') by Philip K. Dick) A device that blocks attempts to see into the contents of the brain mind. |
1955 | Space Craft Rope Ladder (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) Equipment used for debar king from a space craft. |
1955 | Multivac (from Franchise by Isaac Asimov) A computer with millions of facts. |
1955 | Central City (Lunar Habitat) (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) An early example of a non-military lunar habitat. |
1955 | Guard Robot (from The Hood Maker ('Immunity') by Philip K. Dick) Early reference to a robot performing the functions of a security guard. |
1955 | Monocab (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A single compartment monorail car. |
1955 | Simulacrum Window (from Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A 'window' that provides a realistic outdoor view in an interior room. |
1955 | Light-Absorbing Paint (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) Space stealth! |
1955 | Neck-Phone (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) An implanted telecommunications device. |
1955 | Autofac (Nanorobots) (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Very small robots working on self-replication |
1955 | Visual Report Screen (from Nanny by Philip K. Dick) A device that allows a robot nanny to let the owners view what the robot sees from a remote location. |
1955 | Diabological Armory (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) A set of verbal tools based on a higher form of reasoning. |
1955 | Agile Recording Robot (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A recording machine that moves toward its subject. |
1955 | Inflatable Lunar Resort (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) An inflatable structure on the moon, intended to provide rest and relaxation to lunar residents. |
1955 | Hand Wave Control (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Control an electronic or other device with gestures. |
1955 | Protine (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A mutant algae that can be engineered to look and taste similar to normal food. |
1955 | Magnetic Grapple-Beams (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Short range magnetic field to guide flying cars and park them properly. |
1955 | Stiletto Beam (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A beam of molten metal, projected electromagnetically. |
1955 | Robot Taxi (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A taxicab with a robotic driver. |
1955 | Dashboard TV (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) A television placed in the dashboard of your car or similar vehicle. |
1955 | Scout-Base (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) |
1955 | Commute Disk (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) Flying autonomous commuter vehicle. |
1955 | Lunar Monorail (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A monorail constructed above the surface of the Moon. |
1955 | Swibble (from Service Call by Philip K. Dick) An artificially evolved telepathic metazoan-based mind control device. |
1955 | Bore-Pellets (from Foster, You're Dead by Philip K. Dick) Anti-underground bomb shelter ordinance. |
1955 | Robot Gardener (from War Veteran by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous gardening robot, taking care of plants in parks or fields. |
1955 | Artigraft (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Artificial skin graft. |
1955 | Automatized Factory (from The Tunnel Under The World by Frederik Pohl) A factory consisting of machines with imposed human abilities. |
1955 | Nanny Robot (from Nanny by Philip K. Dick) A child-care robot with a surprisingly competitive side. |
1955 | Schrieber Analyzer (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) Superior automatic air testing - for the discriminating space traveler. |
1955 | Generation Ship (from Star Ship by E.C. Tubb) A spacecraft that carries a complete social group over many years. |
1955 | Unit Analyst Robot (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) A robotic psychoanalyst. |
1955 | Ramsbotham Gate (from Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A means of getting from point A to point B without traversing the space in-between. |
1955 | Robot Surgeon-Hand (from War Veteran by Philip K. Dick) A skilled surgical robot that attaches at the end of the surgeon's arm. |
1955 | Aircab (from Time Crime by H. Beam Piper) A flying autonomous taxi cab. |
1955 | Grill-Screen Adaptor (from Foster, You're Dead by Philip K. Dick) Approved General Electronics Corporation solution for bomb shelters, in response to Soviet bore-pellets. |
1955 | Human Habit Pattern Machines (from The Tunnel Under The World by Frederik Pohl) Imposing human habits onto machines. |
1955 | Automatic Ore Cart (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous truck for raw ore processing. |
1955 | Electronic Analogue of Living Brain (from The Tunnel Under The World by Frederik Pohl) Imposing the abilities of a human brain into a computer |
1955 | Search-Bug (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An exploratory robot. |
1955 | Slide Rule w/Radio Attachment (from Mission to the Stars by A.E. van Vogt) Slide rule communicates results immediately with computer. |
1955 | Raw Material-Tropic (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Moves towards desirable raw materials. |
1955 | Robot Factory Representative (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An ambulatory agent of an automatic factory. |
1955 | Finely Divided Dust Propellant (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) Reaction mass to drive spacecraft. |
1955 | Synthetic Milk (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Milk made without cows. |
1955 | Pizzled (Semantic Garble) (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Use of nonsensical statements to deliberately confuse an artificial intelligence. |
1955 | Automatic Factory (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Manufacturing facility that functions entirely autonomously. |
1955 | Autonomous Truck (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) A truck that drives itself and unloads itself. |
1956 | Robotic Hand (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) A dexterous manipulator for robots. |
1956 | Floating Lunar Dust (from Dust Rag by Hal Clement) Electrostatically charged particles that float above the surface of the Moon. |
1956 | Flexible Frank (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) An all-purpose household robot. |
1956 | Planet-Busting Bomb (from Testing by J.J. Ferrat) A munition with sufficient power to destroy an entire planet. |
1956 | Blue Collar Robot (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) An autonomous robot required to find its own work. |
1956 | Sympathetic Block (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A way to keep certain mental contents from being spoken or revealed. |
1956 | Refurbished Nervous System (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) Your nerves are rewired for 5-10 times the speed of a normal person. |
1956 | Diaspar Memory (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) The city's memory could store works of art, and reproduce them upon request. |
1956 | Maximum-security Booth (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A special phone booth for receiving high-security, scrambled telephone calls, calls which included 3D visuals. |
1956 | Solido (from Chance of a Lifetime by Milton Lesser) Abbr. for solidograph; a device that produced a solid three dimensional image. |
1956 | Virtual Immortality (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) A method for storing the mind and memories of a person, and recalling and reconstituting them at will. |
1956 | Post-Crime (from The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick) Criminal activities after they have actually happened. |
1956 | Precog (from The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick) A person with precognitive ability (can predict the future). |
1956 | Undercover Detective Robot (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Specialized robot masquerades as different robot types to spy on criminals. |
1956 | PyrE (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A thermonuclear explosive that is detonated by thought alone. |
1956 | Robot Trash Collectors (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Robots that drive and operate garbage trucks. |
1956 | Bug (from Brightside Crossing by Alan E. Nourse) A compact vehicle for planetary surfaces - like Mercury. |
1956 | Electrotruck (from The Corkscrew of Space by Poul Anderson) An autonomous truck. |
1956 | Puddinged (from Pay for the Printer by Philip K. Dick) A poorly formed 3D printed copy, with an interior that was a mass of malformed material. |
1956 | Stasis (Cold Sleep, Hibernation) (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Hibernation for human beings, lasting for many years. |
1956 | Robot Bartender (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) An automated, mechanical bar tending robot. |
1956 | Slug (from Dragon in the Sea by Frank Herbert) An underwater "barge", consisting of a giant tube for transporting oil. |
1956 | Human Object Recognition (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) System uses human beings as an aid to robotic object recognition. |
1956 | Sargasso Asteroid (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A planetoid built from natural rock and the salvaged wreckage of space craft. |
1956 | Whisper Line (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A means of communication between prisoners held in wide separation. |
1956 | Teakettle (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A standard rocket (uses hydrogen as a booster to leave the atmosphere). |
1956 | Cider Press (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) Device used to make acceleration above 1 gravity more tolerable for groundhogs. |
1956 | Vacutubes (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A system of public transportation that used partially evacuated tubes and capsules big enough for passengers. |
1956 | Hush Corner (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A space made private by canceling sound waves in that area. |
1956 | Bounce Tube (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A people-sized pneumatic tube system used for short, quick trips in the vertical dimension. |
1956 | Jaunte Stage (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A cleared space that existed to serve the needs of people who would jaunte (teleport) into that space. |
1956 | Saga (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) You become a part of the great adventures of history. |
1956 | Regen-Buds (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Small collection of cells that can regrow into human limbs. |
1956 | Analogue (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A combination of a drug and a particular mental state allow a person to devolve to an animal level of their choice. |
1956 | Internal Body Power Pack (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A tiny battery used to power implants. |
1956 | Eetee (E.T - extraterrestrial) (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A sentient being not of this Earth. |
1956 | Hired Girl Robot (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) The amazing floor-cleaning robot! |
1956 | Dental Switchboard (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A control device tied in with teeth and nerve endings. |
1956 | Central Computer (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) A computer capable of running an entire city. |
1956 | Empath (from Empath by J.T. McIntosh) A being capable of telepathic empathy with others. |
1956 | Matter Organizer (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that could cause a computer-generated image to be constructed as a real object. |
1956 | Mechanical Jokester (from Jokester by Isaac Asimov) A vast computer system learns about humor. |
1956 | Intelligent Trash Sorting (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Robots sort the garbage - almost completely. |
1956 | Precrime Analytical Wing (from The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick) Contains the precognitives and the machinery need to hear and analyze their predictions of future crimes. |
1956 | Landing-Grid (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) A designated landing area on a planetary surface for space craft. |
1956 | Mechanotherapy (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) A mechanism or device-based therapy that cures (or palliates) alcoholism. |
1956 | Disposal-Safe (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Device to store and, if necessary, destroy documents. |
1956 | Mutated Kodiak Bears (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Animals modified for increased intelligence for defense and companionship. |
1956 | Bendix Anxiety Reducer (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Machine-based psychotherapy. |
1956 | Window-Willie (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) A robot that cleaned windows by electrostatic repulsion of dust and grime. |
1956 | Planet Rules (from Drop Dead by Clifford Simak) Regulations governing the behavior of the away team on a new planet. |
1956 | Eager Beaver (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Your friendly robot helper. |
1956 | Space-Boat (Rocket Boat) (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Small craft designed for descent and then take-off from a planetary surface. |
1956 | Thorsen Memory Tube (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Computer component that allows a machine to learn through experience. |
1956 | Living Advertising Character (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) Modifying an ordinary person to create a living likeness of a company's brand symbol or character. |
1956 | Biltong Life Form (from Pay for the Printer by Philip K. Dick) Remarkable organic manufacturing aliens, probably indigenous to the Centaurus system. |
1956 | Alcoholic Reliever (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Mechanized relief from alcoholism. |
1956 | Home Therapy Appliances, Inc. (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) A store at which a variety of therapy devices are made available |
1956 | Rex Regenerator (Mechanotherapist) (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Mechanotherapy device cures homicidal urges. |
1956 | Space-Beacon (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Device used to guide a space craft into finding an inhabited planet or colony on a planet. |
1956 | Universal Checkbook (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Fully electronic banking system, which allows easy withdrawal of funds from any bank. |
1956 | Radioactive Coding for Checks (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Special coding system to easily recognize checks. |
1956 | Fottengill Process (from Gypped by Lloyd Biggle, Jr.) An early mention of the idea that energy can be derived from random noise. |
1956 | Anti-Heptant (from To Live Forever by Jack Vance) A compound that erases specific areas of the brain. |
1956 | Juvenile (from The Man Who Japed by Philip K. Dick) A robot designed to sneak around and spy on people. |
1956 | Drafting Dan (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) The first computer software drafting program (Computer Aided Design - CAD). |
1956 | Vehicle Sleep Sensor (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Better stay awake, the machines know if you're sleeping. |
1956 | Invulnerable Wall (from Jackpot by Clifford Simak) A material created by insects that grew stronger as it was compressed. |
1957 | Police Detection Robot (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) An automated evidence-gathering robot. |
1957 | The Machine (M) (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous robot able to alter its appearance and functionality at will. |
1957 | Bethé blasters (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Powerful enough to destroy a flying city. |
1957 | Needle-Gun (from Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter by Isaac Asimov) Small palm-sized weapon. |
1957 | Death-Rattle (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A device that sends a signal upon brain death of the user. |
1957 | Proselytizing Robot (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A robotic preacher; designed for use where believers are unwelcome. |
1957 | Magnetic Control of Nebulae (from The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle) Controlling the structure and shape of nebulae using magnetic fields. |
1957 | Brood Assembly (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Artificially intelligent computers that can replicate themselves. |
1957 | Remote Control Taxicab (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A cab that is piloted by a remote operator. |
1957 | Spindizzy (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device that made use of a relationship between electron spin, electromagnetism and gravity allowed any object to leave the Earth's surface. |
1957 | Project X (from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand) A device that produces sound rays that are intolerable to living things. |
1957 | Machine Psychologist (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A computer that understands and uses its knowledge of human psychology to benefit human users. |
1957 | Neural Door Lock (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A device that provides access based on neurological data. |
1957 | City Fathers (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A set of computer systems which run every mechanical system in a city. |
1957 | Accelerated Schooling Helmet (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device that stimulates the brain and imparts knowledge directly. |
1957 | Molecular Sieve (from Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that can extract any element from seawater. |
1957 | Mechanical Cleaning Device (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A small, ground-based autonomous robot doing basic janitorial work. |
1957 | Gravity-Polarized Explosive (TDX) (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A chemical explosive that acts at an angle to the local gravitational field. |
1957 | Tin Cabby (Flying Robotic Taxi) (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) An autonomously controlled flying taxi cab. |
1957 | Manshonyagger (from Mark Elf by Cordwainer Smith) An autonomous fighting robot. |
1957 | Machine Surveillance (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) The use of artificially intelligent computer systems to learn by monitoring all human interaction within a city. |
1957 | Gravity Well (from Life Cycle by Poul Anderson) The surface of a planet. |
1957 | Eavesdropper (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Device to detect the presence of recording devices. |
1957 | Battle Tank Display (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Three-dimensional display showing tactical information for space battles. |
1957 | Teleoperated Lab Robot (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A robot is used to conduct experiments in an environment too extreme for humans. |
1957 | Crop Algae (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Growing algae in tanks as a source of basic food stock. |
1957 | Accelerated Schooling (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Knowledge force-fed directly into the brain. |
1957 | Glass Bees (from The Glass Bees by Ernst Junger) Walnut-sized flying automata. |
1957 | Storer-Gulls Wings (from The Menace From Earth by Robert Heinlein) Recreational aid for lunar colonists; lightweight wings for cave flying. |
1957 | Robot Situation Neurosis (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) Robots go mad when given competing instructions. |
1957 | Fenton Silencer (from Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke) A device to cancel noise over a broad area. |
1957 | Toposcope (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A special helmet used in a form of sleep teaching. |
1957 | Bats' Cave (from The Menace From Earth by Robert Heinlein) A natural cavern used by moon colonists for air storage - and entertainment. |
1957 | Dirac Transmitter (also Tranceiver or Communicator) (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device that provides instantaneous communication anywhere in the galaxy. |
1957 | Teleoperated Beetle Car (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A remotely-operated robotic vehicle that permitted telepresence. |
1957 | Inter-Universal Messenger (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device intended to travel to another dimension. |
1957 | Anti-agathic drugs (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Drugs that indefinitely postpone death from old age. |
1957 | Space Armor (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Armored space suits for use in vacuum. |
1957 | Peeper (from Shadow World by Clifford Simak) A device that unlocked the dreams and fantasies inherent in the user's brain. |
1957 | Roller (from Shadow World by Clifford Simak) Two passenger vehicle designed for off-road use on alien planets. |
1957 | Lunar Advertisement (from Watch This Space by Arthur C. Clarke) An 'ad' on the lunar surface that can be seen by its audience on Earth. |
1957 | Stellar Analog Computers (from The Lady Was A Tramp by Rose Sharon) Special systems used to calculate safe "jumps" for interstellar trips. |
1957 | Dropshaft (from Deeper Than the Darkness by Harlan Ellison) An elevator shaft with no elevator - the "lift" is from gravity or suppressed inertia. |
1957 | Spacefaring (from Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein) A nation or people who explore and trade in space. |
1957 | Jump-Along (from The Lady Was A Tramp by Rose Sharon) Computer used for calculating jumps between stars. |
1957 | Jumpship (from The Lady Was A Tramp by Rose Sharon) A spaceship capable of making interstellar jumps, that is, it could move over vast distances instantaneously. |
1958 | Palm Plate (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A device that scanned for a palm print prior to opening a door. |
1958 | Espionage Machine (from No, No, Not Rogov! by Cordwainer Smith) A machine that makes it possible to experience the sensations of another person at a distance. |
1958 | Para-Beam (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A beam of energy that paralyzes the victim. |
1958 | Photosight (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) An automotive device that automatically follows a painted white line on the roadway, letting the car drive itself. |
1958 | Impactor Determines Composition (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) The use of an impactor to smash into a small celestial body; watching the impact can determine the composition of the small body. |
1958 | Message Tree (from A Case of Conscience by James Blish) A tree growing out of a huge cliff of crystal provides communication for a world. |
1958 | Nose Gun (from Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison) Weapon system located up high. |
1958 | Pocket Computer (from The Feeling of Power by Isaac Asimov) A pocket-sized computer. |
1958 | Cone of Silence (from Cease Fire by Frank Herbert) Distortion field that limits the carrying power of voice or other vibration; it accomplishes noise reduction with an image-vibration 180 degrees out of phase. |
1958 | Self-Service Cafeteria (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) Food on demand. |
1958 | The Hub (from Worlds of Origin by Jack Vance) A large space resort consisting of inhabitable bubbles in a metal framework. |
1958 | Asteroid-Metal (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) Metal mined from asteroids. |
1958 | Flexible Wall Sheet Display (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A large clear sheet that displays information. |
1958 | Magnetic Pinions (from Worlds of Origin by Jack Vance) Remote control electromagnetic handcuffs. |
1958 | Life Detector (from Cease Fire by Frank Herbert) A device that was capable of detecting living tissue within a set radius. |
1958 | Gyro Two-Wheeled Truck (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) A gyroscopically-stabilized truck with just two wheels. |
1958 | Tik-Talker (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) A method of scrambling spoken speech for encoded transmission. |
1958 | Chin Plates (from Have Space Suit - Will Travel by Robert Heinlein) A means of control within a space suit helmet; switching between options with the chin. |
1958 | Baby Robot (from Brother Robot by Henry Slesar) An infant robot. |
1958 | Neutronic Shielding (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) Very high density monomolecular shielding |
1958 | Metamen (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A human brain placed in a purely mechanical, robotic body. |
1958 | Hypo Arm (from Simulated Trainer by Harry Harrison) A robotic arm used to autonomously deliver pharmaceuticals to patients. |
1958 | Edge Controls (from The Feeling of Power by Isaac Asimov) A pocket-sized device using controls on the edge of the device, leaving the face for display purposes only. |
1958 | Police Robot (from Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison) A fully autonomous, man-shaped robotic police officer. |
1958 | Life Detector Shield (from Cease Fire by Frank Herbert) An electronic field that is intended to shield living tissue from a Life Detector. |
1958 | Ethical Suicide Parlor (from Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) A comfy environment in which you might commit ethical suicide, and thereby serve society. |
1958 | Machine Suicide (from All the Troubles in the World by Isaac Asimov) A self-aware computer system wants to destroy itself. |
1958 | Predictable Crime (from All the Troubles in the World by Isaac Asimov) A criminal act that computers were able to foresee in advance. |
1958 | Computers Improve Computers (from The Feeling of Power by Isaac Asimov) The idea that it will be possible for computers to design more advanced computers. |
1958 | Build A Planet With Asteroids (from And Then the Town Took Off by Richard Wilson) The idea that it is possible to gather up enough of the asteroids in the solar system to "build" a planet out of the scraps. |
1958 | Walking Mill (from Bread Overhead! by Fritz Leiber) The ultimate combine - giant metal centipede walks through fields, harvesting wheat, threshing, grinding and finally baking bread right in the field. |
1958 | Pressurized Penthouse (from Bread Overhead! by Fritz Leiber) A stratospheric perch - if buildings are tall enough, you'll need this. |
1958 | Venus Cities Float In Atmosphere (from Bread Overhead! by Fritz Leiber) Cloud cities on Venus. |
1958 | Chin Window (from Have Space Suit - Will Travel by Robert Heinlein) An aperture that allows an astronaut to see his own feet (greater field of view). |
1959 | Robot Spectra Analyzer (from The Repairman by Harry Harrison) Device used to find ones position in real space. |
1959 | Mark IV Door Keeping Robot (from The Man Who Could Not Stop by A. Bertram Chandler) A robotic device for responding (and scanning) people who come to your door. |
1959 | Grass Carpet (from The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) An indoor home or office floor covering - living grass. |
1959 | Magnetically Floating Furniture (from The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) Furniture that is suspended at the proper height using magnetic forces. |
1959 | Hands Free Helmet (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) The helmet of a powered suit has controls activated by head movements. |
1959 | Robot Judge (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) Artificially intelligent legal machine - robes and all. |
1959 | Robotic Trash Can (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) A sensor-equipped waste can capable of autonomous cleaning - and legal judgement. |
1959 | Electromechanical Educator (from The Fourth R by George O. Smith) An automated teaching machine. |
1959 | Metallic Marx (from The Robots Strike by Harry Harrison) A robot who strikes for better working conditions. |
1959 | Hyperspace Beacon (from The Repairman by Harry Harrison) Located in real space, these devices provide reference points in hyperspace to make navigation possible. |
1959 | Saddle (from The Big Front Yard by Clifford Simak) A comfortable riding saddle - minus the horse. |
1959 | Flying Eye (from The Repairman by Harry Harrison) A remote-controlled device for surveillance overflight. |
1959 | Toy Testing Dummy (from War Game by Philip K. Dick) A child-sized device used to test suspect toys. |
1959 | Memo-Voice (from War Game by Philip K. Dick) Paper memos that read themselves out loud. |
1959 | Personality Death (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) Punishment leaves the body intact. |
1959 | Powered Armor (or Powered Suit) (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) An armored suit that magnifies the power of the soldier's muscles, along with other weapons. |
1959 | Neodog (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) Canine-derived animal, genetically engineered for increased intelligence and speech. |
1959 | Talking Bomb (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) A psychological warfare weapon that talks to the enemy. |
1960 | Fluid Metal Letters (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A smooth metal display able to display words. |
1960 | Cold-Pack (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Technology for indefinite cold storage of human beings. |
1960 | Dermal Spray (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A color coating for the skin, applied as a jet of vapor. |
1960 | Power Holster (from Deathworld by Harry Harrison) Puts the sidearm right in your hand. |
1960 | Chameleon Battle-Dress (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Camouflage that allows its wearer to visually blend into the environment. |
1960 | Bacteria-Destroying Radiation (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A special beam that created a sterile field for operations. |
1960 | Robot Tracking Device (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Small UAV robot remotely operated by an artificially intelligent computer. |
1960 | Spring-Rifle (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Projectile weapon designed to be resistant to countermeasures. |
1960 | Indestructible Contract (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Legal document in which can't be easily altered or damaged. |
1960 | Ball and Hammer Ship (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Spaceship comprised of two sections connected by a shaft. |
1960 | Bolo (from Combat Unit by Keith Laumer) An highly advanced combat tank controlled by a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence. |
1960 | Starlight Sail (Light Sail) (from The Lady Who Sailed The Soul by Cordwainer Smith) A light sail capable of sailing between solar systems. |
1960 | Dixon Pump (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) An temporary mechanical heart to circulate blood. |
1960 | Semi-Conducting Graphite-Gel (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) Computer brain structured like animal brain. |
1960 | Hammer (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Flying blunt trauma weapon remote-controlled by an artificially intelligent computer. |
1960 | Interactive Blackboard (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Early description of an interactive display device for lectures and demonstrations. |
1960 | Vulcan 3 (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Artificially intelligent self-modifying supercomputer. |
1960 | Transdermal Drug Capsule (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A drug capsule that delivers medication by being placed on the skin. |
1960 | Adiabatic Pods (from The Lady Who Sailed The Soul by Cordwainer Smith) Tiny space capsules large enough to hold one passenger. |
1960 | Learning Robot (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) A robot that learns from its own experiences. |
1960 | Pencil Beam (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A thin tube-like laser beam weapon. |
1960 | Metal BIrds (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Surveillance robots that carried weapons, in addition to using their metal bodies. |
1960 | Self-Charging Robot (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) A robot that is able to autonomously find an electrical outlet and plug itself in to recharge. |
1960 | Art-Derm (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Artificial skin sprayed directly on the body. |
1960 | Single Sheet Molecule (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) A counterfeit-proof way to output unique documents. |
1960 | Infiltrators (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Surveillance devices, small and insectile. |
1960 | Domed Mapviewer (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Illuminated hemispherical map display. |
1961 | Stellene (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A tough, transparent material used to make domes or even spacecraft. |
1961 | Gobathian (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) An alien medical technology that enables full body healing in the event of traumatic injury. |
1961 | Transo (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) Teleportation of objects and personnel, used as the basis for "Trading Post" stores across the planet. |
1961 | Chlorophane (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Similar to chlorophyll but synthetic and far more efficient. |
1961 | Pleasure Cap (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) A device that delivers amps of pleasure directly to the brain. |
1961 | Mind Destroyer (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) A method for wiping clean the mind of a human being, leaving only enough to run the body's functions. |
1961 | Sun-Powered Ionic Drive Motor (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A rocket propulsion system that takes solar energy to power an ion drive. |
1961 | Lecton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A device that would read aloud an electronic text book. |
1961 | Dromozoa (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) Life forms that cause the human body to bud new parts for harvesting. |
1961 | Igloo Inflatable Moon Habitat (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) An inflatable, portable lunar shelter that can be easily moved and set up. |
1961 | Air-Restorer Capsule (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that re-oxygenates air in space suits. |
1961 | Jump Harness (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A device small enough to be worn as a backpack, that gave booster power for jumping. |
1961 | Moondozer (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) A bulldozer for lunar conditions. |
1961 | Electrosecretary (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) An automatic transcription device. |
1961 | Screensaver (Inventor of) (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Screen savers are used to prevent phosphor burnout in CRTs, and to provide restful entertainment on computer screens. |
1961 | Stereovision Tank (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Three dimensional mass media (the grandson of television). |
1961 | Space Bubble (Bubb) (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) An inflatable spacecraft. |
1961 | Living Grass Carpet (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) An indoor area covered with grass, in the manner of a carpet. |
1961 | Hunting Robe (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A very thin, furry hunter that captures by constriction. |
1961 | Emotional Register (ER) (from The Primal Urge by Brian Aldiss) A small disk worn in the forehead that discloses the emotional state of the wearer. |
1961 | Electronic Book Store (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A place to pick up your electronic books. |
1961 | Gravitics (from Tricky Tonnage by Malcom Jameson) The science of using gravity as a technology. |
1961 | Sky Ceiling (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Ceilings that consist of large screens, on which are presented images of the sky. |
1961 | Mental Radio-Handicap (from Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) A device that destroys concentration. |
1961 | Reading Machine (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A projector which showed text on a screen or the ceiling for easy reading. |
1961 | Spray-On Clothing (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Body coverings from a spray can. |
1961 | Opton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Very early description of an electronic book, with storage media. |
1961 | Betrization (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) An in utero method of reducing human aggression. |
1961 | Parastatics (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Means of completely eliminating injury in vehicles during crashes. |
1961 | Hydroponics in Space (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Growing plants for food without soil on a spacecraft. |
1961 | Taper (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A device that records details about a visit to a distant planet. |
1961 | Calster (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A handheld device that printed legal currency on the spot. |
1961 | Waterbed (Hydraulic Bed) (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A bed that uses water instead of springs and stuffing. |
1961 | Interactive Map (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A small book with a 'touch-screen' paper interactive map. |
1961 | Lyle Drive (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Propulsion system for use inside the solar system. |
1961 | Butcher Plant (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A plant that grows steaks (protein). |
1961 | Grok (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) To understand fully; become one with (from the Martial verb "to drink"). |
1961 | Stereo Tank (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A receiver for three-dimensional televised images. |
1961 | Dust-Cruiser (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Specialized lunar transport able to negotiate dust-filled craters on the Moon. |
1961 | Carniculture Plants (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) Industrial plants that grow meat protein. |
1961 | Transmit Camera (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) A camera that both takes pictures and uploads it directly to a news station. |
1961 | Crystal Corn (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Tiny data storage crystals. |
1961 | Recording Radio (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) A handheld device that both recorded sound and transmitted it live to a remote broadcasting location. |
1961 | Teleprinter (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) A device that printed out a copy of today's newspaper. |
1961 | Dimensino (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) An alien entertainment center that provides the ultimate in immersive experience. |
1961 | Self-Guided Rocket Bullets (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A rifle made for airless environments shoots rocket bullets. |
1961 | Star Machine (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A device that serves as a boost to psychokinetic powers of mind, enabling paranormals to send their awareness to distant planets. |
1961 | Dust-Ski (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Special vehicle adapted for quick travel over powdered lunar soil. |
1961 | Flitterboat (from A Ship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A one-man cargo space craft. |
1961 | IntruGrab (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) A system designed to capture intruders. |
1961 | Astroposit (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) Retro-style system provides a readout on your position anywhere in the galaxy. |
1961 | Plexiskin (from A Ship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A means of disguise. |
1961 | Magnetic Soles (from A Ship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) Magnetized footwear for easy walking on low gravity metal surfaces. |
1961 | Farside (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) The portion of the Moon's surface that faces away from Earth. |
1962 | Laminated Mouse Brain Computer (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A computing device that makes use of neurons from a mouse. |
1962 | Veridicator (from Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper) A device that measured physiologic responses (biometric data) and translated it to a set of colors that unerringly reported whether or not the measured person was telling the truth. |
1962 | Alcodote (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A compound that maintains sobriety while drinking. |
1962 | Luminescent Vial (from The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance) A glass tube full of luminescent algae; used to provide some measure of light underground. |
1962 | Cataclysmite (from Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper) A high explosive. |
1962 | Tand (from The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance) A metal sculpture, made in contemplation, which has great meaning for the initiates. |
1962 | Psychotropic House (from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista by J.G. Ballard) Buildings designed to sense, and mirror, the psychological state of their owners. |
1962 | Plastex (from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista by J.G. Ballard) A combination of plaster and latex, it allows houses to change shape for you. |
1962 | Senso-Cells (from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista by J.G. Ballard) Sensors that recorded personal characteristics of the owners of a house, to better serve their needs. |
1962 | Serving Robot (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A non-humanoid robot designed to serve. |
1962 | Carniculture Vat (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) Technology to grow meat sans animal. |
1962 | Solar Sail (Light Sail) (from Sail 25 by Jack Vance) A form of propulsion for spacecraft; a sheet of lightweight material reflects light from the sun or other light source. |
1962 | Self-Healing Building (from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista by J.G. Ballard) A building that responds to stresses or cracks in walls by healing the damaged portion. |
1962 | Dumbler (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) Half-sentient spores of the whistle thistle. |
1962 | Diamagnetic Levitation (from The Currents of Space by Isaac Asimov) Levitation accomplished using magnetic field's interference with the motion of electrons orbiting the atoms or molecules of a material. |
1962 | Robot Earthworm (from War With The Robots by Harry Harrison) Autonomous swarming robots the size of earthworms, with similar earth-digging capabilities. |
1962 | Lunar Web (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) The moon ensnared by cobwebs. |
1962 | Robot Librarian Filer (from The Robot Who Wanted to Know by Harry Harrison) A device that works as a librarian, automatically filing books in the stacks. |
1962 | Static House (from The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista by J.G. Ballard) A house that was once fully psychotropic and malleable, but which had been frozen in one configuration. |
1962 | Celestial Armamentarium (from The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance) A small crystal planetarium, in which the stars and planets surrounding Aerlith are seen. |
1962 | Photonic Sail (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A sail that uses light pressure for propulsion. |
1962 | Rat-Robot (from Anything You Can Do by Gordon Randall Garrett) A small remotely-operated surveillance robot. |
1962 | Light-Sail Ship (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A spacecraft that used a huge sail moved by light pressure. |
1962 | Freezebox (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A chamber for long term sleep between the stars. |
1963 | Transparent, Frictionless Coating (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) An absolutely frictionless, impenetrable coating. |
1963 | Alcohol-Sensing System (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) A vehicle subsystem that detected alcohol use in the driver, and then took control of the car away from the driver. |
1963 | Homotropic News Vending Machine (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous news-selling robot, that was able to specifically seek out human beings. |
1963 | Sleep-Inducer (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that electronically imposes sleep on a human being. |
1963 | Solar Yacht (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A space craft whose motive power is light pressure on a solar sail. |
1963 | Solar Yacht Periscope (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device used in the small cabin of a solar yacht. |
1963 | Rifle Range (Virtual Shooting Range) (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Virtual skeet shooting gallery with clay pigeon traps created by aliens. |
1963 | Homeostatic Newspaper (from If There Were No Benny Cemoli by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous news-gathering and publishing entity; abbreviated as homeopape. |
1963 | Ice-Nine (from Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) A crystalline form of water so stable that in practical terms it would never melt. |
1963 | Rabbit-Paper (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) A paper pregnancy test that showed immediate results. |
1963 | Desk Secretary (from The Long Result by John Brunner) A desk with a computerized secretary built into it. |
1963 | Perky Pat Layout (from The Days of Perky Pat by Philip K. Dick) A very special playset into which adults could project their very being. |
1963 | News Clown (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A person who delivers specially selected light news. |
1963 | Unicephalon 40-D (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A problem-solving supercomputer. |
1963 | News Receptor (from If There Were No Benny Cemoli by Philip K. Dick) Devices used by homeostatic newspapers to gather news autonomically. |
1963 | Way Station Materializer (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) By sending impulses that describe a creature from star to star, transport across the galaxy is accomplished. |
1963 | Multiverse (from The Sundered Worlds by Michael Moorcock) A set or series of universes in parallel with our own. |
1963 | Fold Box (from Glory Road by Robert Heinlein) A chest that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. |
1963 | Tattletale (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) A device is attached to a criminal suspect, ensuring that his whereabouts are always known. |
1963 | Way Station (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) A device used to transport individuals across the galaxy. |
1963 | Subliminal Billboards (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) Enormous outdoor billboards that are totally blank - or are they? |
1963 | Field-Minder (from Who Can Replace A Man by Brian Aldiss) An agricultural robot. |
1963 | Jump Drive (from Ethical Engineer by Harry Harrison) A means of propulsion used on spacecraft that allows a ship to travel from point to distant point without actually needing to traverse the space in between. |
1963 | Talisman (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Device that causes beings nearby to experience truth and peace; works only in the hands of rare adepts. |
1963 | Free Telephone Call (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) All telephone calls are free - in exchange for short commercials. |
1964 | Commercial Fly (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous, fly-sized manufactured creature that presents commercial advertisements. |
1964 | Ident-Key (from The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick) Allows the retrieval of a person's entire history of reading material, allowing the prediction of his future thinking. |
1964 | Reporting Machine (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A robotic roving reporter. |
1964 | Creditor Jet-Balloon (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A small, hovering device that hounds debtors. |
1964 | Autonomic Plow (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A set of farm implements able to combine and perform as a weapon. |
1964 | Poison-Bearing Invisible Glove (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Membranous apparel for the hands, used to dispense poisons. |
1964 | Skin Toning (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Using artificial means to effect a temporary change in skin color. |
1964 | Bibs (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) People who are put in cold-sleep because there is no niche for them in society. |
1964 | Auto Shovel (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) Automated mining equipment for use in space. |
1964 | Live Memo (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A paper memo or short letter that reads itself and can even argue with or exhort its reader. |
1964 | Universal Technical Consultative Service (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Interstellar travel plans calculated, reserved and confirmed. |
1964 | Color Generator (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A variable spectrum light source |
1964 | Robot Busboy (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A robotic device able to autonomously clear tables in a restaurant. |
1964 | Adjustable Television (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A television that allowed viewers to adjust the content of political speeches. |
1964 | Empathy Box (from The Little Black Box by Philip K. Dick) A device which allows a group of people to empathize with a single person (like television lets many people view the same broadcast). |
1964 | Cephalotropic Dart (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A slim, short-range device that homes in on the brain wave pattern of the target. |
1964 | Surgical Hand (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A specialized robotic hand used for surgery. |
1964 | Auto Course-Finding Pilot (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A device that not only pilots the craft, but will also plot out a course for you. |
1964 | Cephalic Sniffer (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) Device can locate an individual using brain patterns. |
1964 | Pry-Vie (Robotic Detective) (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A robotic private eye; autonomic detection services. |
1964 | Chalf-Memory Stick (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) Device that organizes special dust in the shape of words and symbols. |
1964 | Fake-Meter (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A pocket-sized counterfeit currency detector. |
1964 | Single Seat Scooter (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A self-service monocycle. |
1964 | Rhetorizer (from The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick) A computerized assistant for writers. |
1964 | Identificator (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A hologram projector used to flash door signs. |
1964 | Walking Fort (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A biomimetic fort based on the model of a centipede. |
1964 | Solar Updraft Tower (from Shortstack by Leigh and Walt Richmond) A renewable-energy scheme that generates power from air movement inside a tall chimney. |
1964 | Flexible Stem (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A long flexible tube that can expand and contract its length quickly. |
1964 | Courtarena (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A combination of a court of law, and an arena of combat, in which every participant could be called out and executed under legal circumstances. |
1964 | Manual Closet (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) An old-fashioned storage room for clothing, which required the user to place and organize articles of apparel by hand. |
1964 | Undersea Restaurant (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A restaurant located in its entirety under the sea. |
1964 | Agfom Potent-Shot (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) Special film allows user to take a picture of what happens in the next thirty minutes. |
1964 | Famnexdo (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A set of four simulacra, one adult male, one adult female and two children; the family next door. |
1964 | Jet-Powered Aquaplane (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Overpowered surface boat. |
1964 | Court Robo-Clerk (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A robotic law clerk. |
1964 | Autonomic Food-Processing System (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Technology allows food to be prepared untouched by human hands. |
1964 | Syn-Cof (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Synthetic coffee. |
1964 | Surface Slider (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small, lightweight craft. |
1964 | Platform Flyer (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small craft suitable for journeys close to the ground. |
1964 | Housefly Monitor (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A living fly that is outfitted with sensors for surveillance work. |
1964 | Chairdog (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A chair that is alive and partly sentient; it shapes itself to the person sitting in it. |
1964 | Stick-Tight (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A general term for surveillance devices that will follow a subject and record speech or video. |
1964 | Word Tab (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) A feature of an e-paper document; touch the word tab and get more information. |
1964 | Chalf (Quick-Scribe Powder) (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A special powder that forms itself into words and symbols. |
1964 | Boulder (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) A device that homed in on a person's brain wave pattern; a very specific assassination device. |
1964 | Ampek F-a2 Recording System (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A device that incorporated a living protoplasm, used as a recording and playback system. |
1964 | Artif-Org (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) A mechanical version of a human organ. |
1964 | Time-Warping Construct (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A device that appears to cause alternate worlds or paraworld. |
1964 | Weary Deep-Sleep (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Phildickian old-sleep. |
1964 | Bug Chasers (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Anti-surveillance devices. |
1964 | Cholinesterase-Destroying Gas (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Horrific anti-personnel poison. |
1964 | Nipple-Assist (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A multi-purpose electronic device worn upon the nipple. |
1964 | Jump Point (from Bill for Delivery by Christopher Anvil) A specific location in space where an interstellar jump can be accomplished. |
1964 | Suicide Tooth (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A false tooth containing poison. |
1965 | Civic Notification Distorter (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A device that subtly damages databases full of government information. |
1965 | Ornithopter (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Also called a 'thopter, it had adjustable wings and was jet-powered. Describes any plane capable of wing-beat flight in the manner of birds. |
1965 | CAN-D (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Illegal narcotic chewed to alter the state of colonists. |
1965 | Carryall (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A flying wing (aircraft); used to pick up a sandcrawler (harvester factory) |
1965 | Hunter-seeker (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An assassination device that floats in mid-air; kills by entering the body and following nerve pathways to vital organs. |
1965 | Stillsuit (from Dune by Frank Herbert) It covers almost the entire body, provides cooling and ensures that almost no moisture is lost. |
1965 | Thumper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A short stake with a spring-driven clapper at one end; used to call sandworms. |
1965 | Cephalic Pattern Door (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A door that only opens for specific people. |
1965 | Solido Projector (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Projects 3-dimensional images. |
1965 | Oil Lens (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Oil held in tension in an enclosing force field, used as an optical component. |
1965 | Model the Universe (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A computer capacious enough to contain a representation of the entire universe. |
1965 | Medical Mech (from Warrior by Gordon R. Dickson) A medical robot designed to prevent death during emergencies. |
1965 | Windtrap (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device which precipitates water from the air for use by people. |
1965 | Factory Crawler (or Harvester Crawler) (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A mobile factory which filtered and processed the sands of Dune for the spice, mélange. |
1965 | Femfatalatron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A device that reverses an infatuation for a particular woman. |
1965 | Filament Paper Book (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Very small book, made for space travelers in an era when the smallest added weight was costly. |
1965 | Dekon Type DCQ (from Subspace Explorers by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Decontamination foam. |
1965 | Sietch (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A cave warren designed to protect a tribal community, with a population of thousands, with its own water supply in an endless desert. |
1965 | Battle Language (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A special-purpose language designed for both clear communication of information related to war, and difficulty of translation. |
1965 | Maula Pistol (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A spring-loaded projectile device. |
1965 | Dispensing Tooth (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device shaped like a tooth that dispenses gas. |
1965 | Death-rattle File (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A cache of information set to destroy itself upon the death of its owner. |
1965 | Golden Lights (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Another unusual use of the suspensor field; lights are suspended in it. |
1965 | Ego-Likeness (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An extremely detailed portrait played through a shigawire projector; capable of reproducing minute movements said to convey the ego essence of a person. |
1965 | Imperial Handicraft Globe (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Perfectly crafted globe for planetary governors. |
1965 | Steel Teeth (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Artificial teeth welded to the bone. |
1965 | Interchangeable Hands (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Specialized manual extremities. |
1965 | N-e (Needle-eyeification) Weapon (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A class of weapons that had the most precise effect imaginable. |
1965 | Stilltent (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, sealable enclosure which reclaimed moisture from the breath of occupants. |
1965 | Poison Snooper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device that checked food and drink for poisons. |
1965 | Suspensor Chair (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A chair that suspends itself above the floor. |
1965 | Residual Poison (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A poison that, once administered, resides in the body; only regular intake of the antidote keeps the person alive. |
1965 | Luxvid Eyes (Jensen Wide-Angle) (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Artificial, unmoving implanted eyes. |
1965 | Leybyrdite (from Subspace Explorers by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Extremely tough crystalline metal. |
1965 | Chromoplastic Dew Collector (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, egg-shaped device that uses a special surface to collect morning dew on the desert planet of Arrakis. |
1965 | Sandsnork (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device like a snorkel that would provide air to a tent buried by a sand storm. |
1965 | Handicloset (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A self-organizing closet |
1965 | Sheep Dip Isolator (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A non-lethal malodorant weapon. |
1965 | Autonomic Interviewer (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A robotic reporter. |
1965 | Slow Pellet Stunner (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A projectile device that throws darts in a manner calculated to get past a force shield. |
1965 | Heighliner (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Enormous starship used by the Spacing Guild for interstellar travel. |
1965 | Remote-Cast Snooper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, easily concealed poison snooper. |
1965 | Robot Bar (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) A combination bartender and bar; a robot capable of dispensing beverages. |
1965 | Garbage-can Banger (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) An elaborate noise-based weapon. |
1965 | Doorseal (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A portable plastic seal used in temporary camps to keep moisture from escaping from dwelling places. |
1965 | Cutteray (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A laser used in a range of tools - including mining equipment. |
1965 | Pain Box (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small box which induced pain into the nerves of the hand. |
1965 | Truffle Skins (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Genetically unique skins are the common currency; their special genetic makeup makes forgery impossible. |
1965 | Distrans (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Device produces a temporary neural imprint on the nervous system of Chiroptera or birds. |
1965 | Bubblehead (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A person who as undergone E therapy, and achieved the frontal lobe of their dreams. |
1965 | Police Control-Override (from A Plague of Demons by Keith Laumer) A device that allows police officers to take control of an otherwise normal vehicle. |
1965 | Wakeshot (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An injection designed to bring a person out of sleep to full wakefulness. |
1965 | Dr. Smile (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A suitcase-sized analyst; a machine that served as a psychotherapist. |
1965 | Battery-Powered 3D Comic Book (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A comic book the pages of which were animated by battery power. |
1965 | Commuter Cooling Unit (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A portable air conditioner for commuters. |
1965 | Optical-Effect Suit (from A Plague of Demons by Keith Laumer) An invisibility garment. |
1965 | Suspensor Lamp (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A lamp that will float in mid-air, and will stay where you put it. |
1965 | Gnostotron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Computing device capable of producing an informational model of absolutely everything in existence. |
1965 | Palm Lock (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A lock or seal which can be opened only by contact with the palm of the human hand to which it has been keyed. |
1965 | Water Repellent Surface (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A surface that water flows over without sticking at all. |
1965 | Suspensor (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An energy field that can nullify gravity for small objects. |
1965 | Glowglobe (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Floating spherical light bulb with organic energy source. |
1965 | Ramscoop (from World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven) An enormous magnetic field precedes a spaceship moving through space, directing interstellar hydrogen inward for use as fuel. |
1965 | Message Cylinder (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small metal object containing some form of message media and a mechanism for either playing or extruding the medium; secured communication device. |
1965 | Teddy Bear Robot (from I Always Do What Teddy Says by Harry Harrison) A special toy bear given to every child in the world. |
1965 | Shigawire (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A very fine wire, used as a recording medium (among other things). |
1965 | Cardioplate (from 'Repent Harlequin' Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison) A device that could take seconds or minutes off your life, one beat at a time (or all at once). |
1965 | Robomule (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) The robotic equivalent of a mule. |
1965 | Electronic Bard (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A computing machine that is able to write original poetry. |
1965 | 'Thopter (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Describes any plane capable of wing-beat flight in the manner of birds. |
1965 | Spatial-Postal Card (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) Mail from home - that hungry soldiers can also eat. |
1965 | Watertube (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Carries water to and from the catchpockets in a Fremen stillsuit. |
1965 | Heat-Removing Staff (from The Dead Lady of Clown Town by Cordwainer Smith) Device absorbs all heat from its target. |
1965 | Catchpocket (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small container in a stillsuit that stored reclaimed water. |
1965 | Voice (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Combines exceptional insight into personalty with voice modulation to achieve control over individuals. |
1965 | Gigagnostotron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Enormously powerful computing device. |
1965 | Filmbook (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A storage medium for information, both text and video. |
1965 | Mnemonic Pulse (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A feature of filmbook recordings that helps imprint knowledge on the mind of the user. |
1965 | Kingdom in a Box (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) An entire civilization in miniature - in an interactive box. |
1965 | Crysknife (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A knife blade ground from the tooth of a giant sandworm of Dune. |
1965 | Personalized Fashion Display (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) A set of displays that show you dressed in different uniforms. |
1965 | Minimic Film (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Very fine message medium. |
1965 | Jubba Cloak (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An all-purpose garment in common use on Arrakis |
1965 | Plasteel (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Extremely tough form of steel, stabilized with stravidium fibers grown into its crystal. |
1965 | Sapho Juice (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Unique substance enhanced the cognitive performance of Mentats. |
1965 | Filt-Plug (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A nose plug worn to collect moisture from exhaled air. |
1965 | Antithermal Shield (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A material that protected against climate warming. |
1965 | Rachag (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A caffeine-style stimulant. |
1965 | Semuta (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A combination of a specific drug and music, which penetrated to the deepest levels of consciousness. |
1965 | Mentat (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A person who has been specially trained and conditioned for excellence in |
1965 | Fencing Mirror (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A dummy fighting instructor for the young Kwisatz Haderach-in-training. |
1965 | Dew Gatherers (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Devices used to gather morning dew as a source of drinking water. |
1965 | Implanted Steel Teeth (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Replacement teeth implanted in the jaw. |
1965 | Lasgun (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A continuous-wave laser projector; can be used as a weapon or as a cutting tool. |
1965 | Fanmetal (from Dune by Frank Herbert) High tensile strength material; used in collapsible structures opened by "fanning" them out. |
1965 | Krimskell Fiber (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A "claw" fiber which will rubs against itself in such a way that, the tighter the rope is pulled, the stronger the knot becomes. |
1965 | Inter-Vehicle Communication (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) The ability to talk car-to-car directly. |
1965 | Autonomic Cab (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) An automated taxicab (without robotic driver). |
1965 | Smart Dust (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Very tiny computers. |
1965 | Poison Tongue Dart (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Weapon surgically implanted in the tongue. |
1965 | Filterable Virus (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A special virus that is instantly carcinomatous. |
1965 | Servok (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An 'automatic' or clock-set mechanism to perform simple tasks. |
1965 | Paracompass (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A very specialized compass that makes use of local magnetic anomalies. |
1965 | Chowlock (from The Starfox by Poul Anderson) A small opening in a space helmet for food insertion. |
1965 | Hypno-Ligation (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A means of psychological control over an individual. |
1965 | Spice (Melange) (from Dune by Frank Herbert) The spice must flow. |
1965 | Gom Jabbar (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A needle with deadly poison, used to test for humans. |
1965 | Communinet (from Dune by Brian Herbert) A public data network.i |
1965 | Family Atomics (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Noble houses had their own atomic weapons. |
1966 | Morphogen (from Fantastic Voyage (Novel) by Isaac Asimov) A drug that party relieves the need for sleep. |
1966 | Dream Console (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) Device allows a therapist to enter and create dreams in patients. |
1966 | Autodoc (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) An automated physician, a fully autonomous surgical robot. |
1966 | Ro-Womb (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) Device enfolds the patient during therapy. |
1966 | Life Recorder (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) Record the details of your life. |
1966 | Magnetic Sandals (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) Special footgear to walk in zero-gee spacecraft. |
1966 | Ansible (from Rocannon's World by Ursula LeGuin) Faster-than-light communication. |
1966 | Big Screen Control (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Display content from your personal device on a large shared screen. |
1966 | Cellphone Tranquilizing Spray (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A mild sedative administered automatically by your cellphone. |
1966 | Cloaking Device (from Balance of Terror by Paul Schneider) A force field that renders an object invisible to human eyes as well as other sensor devices. |
1966 | Drinking Bulb (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) A small container, used for drinks. |
1966 | Mike (Mycroft Holmes - Fair Dinkum Thinkum) (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A large computer that woke up - an artificially intelligent, self-aware machine. |
1966 | Auto-Driven Auto (Spinner) (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) A vehicle that accepts coordinates and proceeds to its destination automatically. |
1966 | Cellphone Credit Card (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Cellphone that can act as a credit card. |
1966 | Corpsicle (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Cryogenically frozen person who could (hopefully) be revived later. |
1966 | Photosensitive Pigment (from Cry Hope, Cry Fury! by J.G. Ballard) Special paint that stays 'blank' until exposed to a scene. |
1966 | Virtual Reality Video Game (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A description of a computer game simulation played in real time as entertainment. |
1966 | Cellphone Voice Mail (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Callers speak into their instrument, and the content of the call is stored by the network for the user to replay at will. |
1966 | Death-Reversal Equipment (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Brings you back from losing a duel. |
1966 | Miniaturization (from Fantastic Voyage (Novel) by Isaac Asimov) Making a physical object smaller in size. |
1966 | Online Job Search (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Networked assets allow ordinary people to search through nationwide job listings upon providing a short set of qualifications. |
1966 | Hush Hood (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A device that cancels noise, ensuring that others cannot overhear. |
1966 | Voice-Enabled Smartphone (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A smartphone capable of complete voice-enabled operation. |
1966 | Online Employability Profile Testing (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) An online test that determines the best areas in which you might search for a job. |
1966 | Cyborg Pilot (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A combination of a human being (at least the thinking part) and a machine. |
1966 | Sand-Yacht (Land Schooner) (from Cry Hope, Cry Fury! by J.G. Ballard) A vehicle that used wind power upon its sails to move on the land. |
1966 | Stellarimeter (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Used by space navigators. |
1966 | Self-Assembling Robots (from The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz) Robots with the capacity to assemble themselves from components, and then switch themselves on. |
1966 | Discorporaphone (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) For speaking with the electronic dead. |
1966 | Morgue (Recall Stage) (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Storage and retrieval of frozen bodies. |
1966 | General Products Hull (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) Nearly indestructible outer skin for spaceships; pick your hull size and put what you want inside. |
1966 | Tensile Memory Polarized Matter (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) The same piece of material can take pre-determined shapes. |
1966 | TW-55 Spy (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Conscious control of facial characteristics. |
1966 | Extra-Factual Memory (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A "memory" placed in a person's mind by artifice, rather than by real life experience. |
1966 | Discorporate Sector (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) An electronic afterlife. |
1966 | Vivatape (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Perfectly seals cuts also helps through-skin implants heal. |
1966 | Voice Dialing (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Speak the name of the person and call them on the phone. |
1966 | Joymaker (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A networked personal digital assistant - that really is an assistant. |
1966 | Caller Contact List (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A list of callers kept on the phone instrument. |
1966 | Lunar Greenhouse Tunnel (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A multipurpose conservatory on the Moon. |
1966 | Auto-Navigation (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) Automatic car navigation, provided on a video console in the dashboard. |
1966 | Interests Profile (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) An intelligent agent; a software program with your personal tastes on file. |
1966 | Virtual Kiss (Tactile Net) (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A phone-like device that will communicate a kiss in a tactile manner. |
1966 | Reciprocal Name (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A nickname or familiar name used to specify a more completely defined full name and telephone number. |
1966 | Virtual Reality Construct (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A means of projecting a virtual reality experience without special headsets. |
1966 | Alternate Computer Personality (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer system that can take on complete, alternate personalities. |
1966 | Laser Rifle (from Door to Anywhere by Poul Anderson) A laser weapon shaped (and fired) like a traditional rifle. |
1966 | Vision Implant (from The Dream Master by Roger Zelazny) Photoelectric cell implanted in the forehead grants some vision to the blind. |
1966 | Gravity Planer (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) Device that creates a gravity field. |
1966 | Belter (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) A person who was born and raised in the asteroid belt around Sol. |
1966 | Bubbleworld (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A rigid space station that is shaped like a cylinder, rotated to achieve centripetal gravity. |
1966 | Diptray (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A hovering tray of drinks, used for parties. |
1966 | Self-Guided Tractors (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A farm vehicle that drives itself. |
1966 | Fusion Sunlight Tube (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) Central light source for a spun cylinder space station. |
1966 | Filing Crystal (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Part kiosk, part storage system. |
1966 | Radar Mesentery (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A thick covering that supports a network of sensors. |
1966 | Simicolor (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) Artificial coloring for the body. |
1966 | TANSTAAFL (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. |
1966 | Lunar Ice Mining (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) The practice of mining for ice on the moon. |
1966 | Sheem Spider Robot (from The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz) A robotic spider. |
1966 | Mass-Driver Catapult (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) An escape-speed induction catapult to launch material into orbit. |
1966 | Laser Cannon (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A laser source powerful enough to provide significant light pressure to a "light sail." |
1966 | Decorative Implant (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Small devices that can be implanted subcutaneously in the body and then controlled consciously. |
1966 | Neuristor (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A solid-state computer component that mimics the human neuron. |
1966 | Networked Personal Device (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) The idea that the true power of a mobile device lies in it's backend network capabilities. |
1966 | Sunshades (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) Sunglasses that darken and lighten based on ambient lighting. |
1966 | Telepathic Transmitter (Telep-transmitter) (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A device using living alien tissue to transmit your thoughts. |
1966 | Sprung-Samser Treatment (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A medical treatment to extend human life. |
1966 | Specialized Prosthetic Arm (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A set of prosthetics that provide different functionality in place of missing arm. |
1966 | Eyes (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Flying remote-operated surveillance drones. |
1966 | Computer Humorist (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer acquires the ability to tell original jokes. |
1966 | Tru-Mem Systems (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) Organic process of recalling personal events. |
1966 | Babel-17 (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) An alien weapon in the form of a language. |
1966 | Martian Print Amoeba (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) An organism able to mimic consumer goods. |
1966 | Chemelectric Afferent Nerve-Analogues (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) An engineered sensory skin. |
1966 | Sleeping Plates (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A pair of plates that nullify gravity for the being(s) sleeping between them. Is null gravity the answer to your sleep problems? |
1966 | Artificial Gill Outfit (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A diving suit that pulls air from the water. |
1966 | Erased Memory (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A procedure that deletes selected memories from the human mind. |
1966 | Rolem (Wrestling Robot) (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A robotic wrestling companion. |
1966 | Garbage Device (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Autonomous garbage collection device. |
1966 | Ebony Teeth (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) Completely black artificial teeth. |
1966 | Auto-Scan (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Automated control of remote surveillance drones. |
1966 | Gauzy (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A feather-light tent, made of a fabric just one molecule thick. |
1966 | Adam Selene (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer generates a human avatar for itself. |
1966 | Right Angle Projectile (from The Mad Metropolis by Philip E. High) A missile that turns at right angles after being fired. |
1966 | Robant Bill Collector (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) A robot designed to collect overdue bills, no matter what. |
1966 | Surgical Homeostatic Unit (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous surgical robot, able to drill into the body and perform surgery. |
1966 | Flexible Armor Suit (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A pressure suit that, while flexible, becomes rigid like armor upon impact. |
1966 | Radson Skimmer (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A small vehicle designed for a small number of passengers; capable of low, slow flight. |
1966 | Virtual Keyboard (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A keyboard that appears at the right moment in game play. |
1966 | Multi-View Surveillance Display (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Lots of different video sources combined into one display. |
1966 | Moon As Prison (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) The moon is a prison without bars. |
1966 | Transparent Platisplasm Cage (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) A replacement framework for a body joint - in this case, the shoulder. |
1966 | Ground-to-Orbit Ferry (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A kind of space shuttle craft. |
1966 | Confinement Asteroid (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A place where asteroid miner's babies stay to experience some needed gravity. |
1966 | Antigravity Globe Arena (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) A spherical arena for wrestling. |
1967 | Pray-o-Mat (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) A device that would offer prayers in exchange for a few coins properly deposited. |
1967 | Dolphin's Hands (from Handicap by Larry Niven) Digital prosthetic for dolphins. |
1967 | Floating Booths (from Handicap by Larry Niven) Comfortable bar booths that float around and come together for conversation. |
1967 | Scientific Reincarnation (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) Technology to allow a person to transfer themselves to a new, healthy body. |
1967 | Full-Shift Set Variable (from Return Match by Philip K. Dick) Infinite possibilities built into a game machine. |
1967 | Skycycle (from Handicap by Larry Niven) A flying Harley; motorcycle of the skies. |
1967 | Soft Weapon (from The Soft Weapon by Larry Niven) A device that changes its shape to alter its function. |
1967 | Multifunction Gun (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) Offers a selection of lethal and non-lethal alternatives. |
1967 | Fornixation (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Electrical stimulation of the pleasure centers of the brain. |
1967 | Purple Wage (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Guaranteed subsidy paid to every citizen. |
1967 | Embryonic Robots (from Counter Clock World by Philip K. Dick) Very small robots, possibly a very early reference to nanotechnology in science fiction. |
1967 | Cloud Sculpting (from The Cloud Sculptors of Coral D by J.G. Ballard) Using gliders and chemical showers to shape clouds artistically. |
1967 | Shuttlecraft (from Star Trek by Author Unknown) A small spaceship designed for short journeys. |
1967 | AM (from I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison) A supercomputer that hates. |
1967 | Syrup Sac (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) A device used to provide an efficient source of nutrition to Meks, servants of the aristocrats of Earth. |
1967 | Energy-Cannon (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) Device projects destructive power. |
1967 | Power-Wagon (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) Wagon powered by muscular creature from Etamin 9; uses carbohydrate syrup for fuel. |
1967 | Pray-Machine (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) A kind of energy receiver that could retrieve a soul from the radiation belt surrounding a planet. |
1967 | Mining Disintegrator (from The Arsenal Out of Time by David McDaniel) A special-purpose boring machine. |
1967 | Sub-microscopic Medical Robots (from These Savage Futurians by Philip E. High) Tiny robots travel the bloodstream, killing bacteria. |
1967 | Rogue Planet (from Satan's World by Poul Anderson) A planet without a sun, it wanders through galactic space. |
1967 | Mechanical Cobra (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) An assassination device; senses brain waves to find its victim. |
1967 | Win-Reducing Gambling Circuit (from Return Match by Philip K. Dick) Circuitry in a game that detects winning strategies and then alters the game to make winning more difficult. |
1967 | Fido (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Combination television, news camera and surveillance device. |
1967 | Organlegging (from The Jigsaw Man by Larry Niven) Technology needed to deal in illicitly obtained body parts. |
1967 | Palm Flower (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) It's like a life clock. |
1967 | Homer (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A device fired from a gun that ends the life of a citizen, based on the color of their palm flower. |
1967 | Vapor Charge (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A bullet that discharges gas. |
1967 | Sleepshop (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A quiet place to die. |
1967 | Lift Chair (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) A single occupant lifted by great birds. |
1967 | Tangler (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) Strong webbing in a tiny capsule, it expands to a net, capturing a suspect. |
1968 | Architectural Coral (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) A structure grown to a specific shape using small coral-like organisms. |
1968 | Wholographik (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) Hologram-style picture. |
1968 | Slow Glass (Scenedow) (from Light of Other Days by Bob Shaw) A window made of Bose-Einstein Condensate that slows light to a snail's pace. |
1968 | Hibernaculum (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A small, self-contained chamber in which a person could endure months of enforced sleep. |
1968 | Kipple (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The collection of useless bits of trash we wallow in; all the paper and junk that is not recycled. |
1968 | Total Environmental and Mental Simulator (from Crown of Infinity by John M. Faucette) An AI that could create and discard whole branches of science in pursuing the answer to a problem. |
1968 | Sinclair Molecule Chain (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) A monofilament fiber, used for strength. |
1968 | Icon Thumbsized Image (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A very early reference to a screen icon. |
1968 | Mobile Lab (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) |
1968 | Newspad Electronic Newspaper (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) An electronic version of a newspaper. |
1968 | Penfield Wave Transmitter (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device that directs some sort of energy wave into a person's brain, allowing them to experience a chosen (dialed) mood. |
1968 | Voight-Kampff Empathy Test (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A test consisting of a set of images and questions, asked while the subject's biometric data are gathered; intended to separate humans from non-humans. |
1968 | Flex-Wheels (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) Special wheels designed for getting around on the Moon. |
1968 | Artificially Grown Organs (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) Human organs suitable for transplantation, grown outside the body. |
1968 | Nexus-7 Android (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The next version after the Nexus-6. |
1968 | Loitering Micro-Missile (from Invader on My Back by Philip E. High) A small missile that does not need line-of-sight and can move at a slow pace until it finds its target. |
1968 | Android Safety Mechanism (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device that temporarily incapacitates an android. |
1968 | Disease Circuit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A feature of robotic animals which indicated a need to repair by emulating animal sickness. |
1968 | Mood Organ (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device which allows you to dial the mood you would like to have. |
1968 | Auto-Seal (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) Automatically deployed cover for power outlets; instant child-proofing. |
1968 | Oat-Tropic Circuit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A robotic feature that caused electronic animals to move toward offered food. |
1968 | Nexus-6 Brain Unit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The processing power behind android intelligence. |
1968 | Robot Bird (from Invader on My Back by Philip E. High) A small winged UAV that can mimic a bird in flight. |
1968 | Mining Worm (Organic) (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) Genetically altered earthworm created just for mining. |
1968 | Sun Goggles (from Grendel by Larry Niven) Lenses darken in spots to block the brightness of alien suns. |
1968 | Mercy Rifle (from Grendel by Larry Niven) Device fired slivers of anesthetic as darts. |
1968 | Steam Rifle (from Omnivore by Piers Anthony) A gun that propels projectiles with steam. |
1968 | Replicant (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) An android; an artificial human being. |
1968 | Cyborg Collar (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) A device worn around the neck that controls the person for the duration of a working day. |
1968 | Grip Shoes (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) Shoes with velcro soles used to walk in weightless environments. |
1968 | Panic Alarm (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) Alarm senses intruders and instills mindless panic. |
1968 | Ramrobot (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) An autonomous interstellar exploration craft using gathered hydrogen for fuel. |
1968 | Andy (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A slang term for "android" - an artificially created humanoid being. |
1968 | Crackers (from The Time Mercenaries by Philip E. High) Bouncing, explosive mines. |
1968 | Stasis Box (from There is a Tide by Larry Niven) A space entirely enclosed by a Slaver stasis field, in which time does not pass. |
1968 | Cheekplate Container (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) Special compartment of an exoskeleton; provides easy access to medical supplies related to survive heavy gravity environments. |
1968 | False Animal Repairman (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A specialized roboticist who repaired robotic animals. |
1968 | Synthesist (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) A person who did nothing but make cross-references between one field and another. |
1968 | HAL 9000 (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) The canonical example of an artificially intelligent computer. |
1968 | TMA-1 (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) The Tycho Monolith. |
1968 | Exoskeleton (Medical) (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) Specially designed for Thins, eight-foot tall microgravity humans. |
1968 | Karatand (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) A special glove made of impact-sensitive plastic. |
1968 | Electric Sheep (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) An electronic farm animal; a non-organic robot covered with sheepskin that acts like a sheep. |
1968 | Newspad (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A notebook-sized computer and display screen for reading news stories or other text matter. |
1968 | Illyrion (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) Super-heavy and super-stable elements with atomic numbers greater than 296. |
1968 | Seven Vane Starship (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) A faster-than-light ship with seven vanes of energy controlled by human nervous systems. |
1968 | Emergency Shelter (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A small cubicle that provides a last refuge in case the spacecraft's atmosphere is lost. |
1968 | Sensory-Syrynx (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) A complex musical instrument. |
1969 | Ultraflash (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A device that sterilizes the skin by a pulse of light. |
1969 | Caliban Beachball (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Dwelling place for unusual lifeform who make jumpdoors possible. |
1969 | Gravity Web (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Device for limiting the extent to which a person is subject to gravitational attraction. |
1969 | Tranquilizing Gum (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Chewing gum with a tranquilizing agent. |
1969 | 'Pape Machine (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Yet another name for the homeostatic newspaper; this one has special features including news search. |
1969 | Toll Door (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) An apartment door that operates on a cash-only basis. |
1969 | Teddy (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) A very intelligent and highly mobile robotic teddy bear. |
1969 | Protophason Amplifier (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Detects brain activity of those in half-life. |
1969 | Reality Tape (from The Electric Ant by Philip K. Dick) The medium upon which the life experience of an electric ant - a robotic person - is presented. |
1969 | Disruptor Bomb (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A bomb with a very special purpose; when detonated in space, it makes it impossible to detect the center of the explosion from the dispersion of the fragments. |
1969 | Gyrocar (Gyro) (from The Ring by Piers Anthony (w/R. Margroff)) A gyroscopically stabilized car; a one-wheeled vehicle. |
1969 | Webfoam Cradle (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) |
1969 | Teep Rod (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A device that gathers the thoughts of an individual. |
1969 | Physiognomic Template (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A method for changing the appearance of your face at will. |
1969 | Moratorium (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A place that kept people in cold-pac after death, providing them a kind of half-life. |
1969 | Electrical Grandmother (Robot Grandma) (from I Sing The Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury) A robotic companion. |
1969 | Automatic City (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A city designed to protect itself and maintain itself over millions of years. |
1969 | Crosswell Tape Worm (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Device that allows you to eat without gaining weight. |
1969 | Automated Apartment Maintenance (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Automated devices that would oversee the maintenance of a rented apartment. |
1969 | Vortal Tube (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) An energy passage providing instantaneous transportation between points across the galaxy |
1969 | Synthetic Flesh (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Provides robots with realistic coverings, not just plastic. |
1969 | Pseudoflesh (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Meat (protein) that is produced apart from an animal; great steaks without rumination. |
1969 | Mass Detector (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Hunting aid. |
1969 | Cold-Pac Bin (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A special coffin-sized chamber used to maintain half-life. |
1969 | Self-Powered Broom (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A broom for use in small apartments that cleans under its own power. |
1969 | Droud (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A transformer to step down house current for the wire providing current directly to the pleasure center of the brain. |
1969 | Padre Booth (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Device that provides religious aid and comfort on demand. |
1969 | Geriatric Rooming-House (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) An apartment building with rooms built especially with the very senior citizen in mind. |
1969 | Ident Darts (from The Electric Ant by Philip K. Dick) Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that track individuals. |
1969 | Weightless Work Area (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A small workspace within which there is no gravitational pull. |
1969 | Artiforg (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) An artificial organ kept 'on line' in the body. |
1969 | SSA Machine (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A machine that compares two people for compatibility; it sees sub specie aeternitatis, literally 'under the aspect of eternity' or outside of time. |
1969 | Book of the Kalends (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) The ever-changing book without a title; the documented history of a world. |
1969 | Diagnostat (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A device able to diagnose and treat most human ailments. |
1969 | Vision Cube (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A solid-state memory device. |
1969 | Spray-Foam Blouse (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Clothing that is sprayed on fresh. |
1969 | Memory Plastic (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) Takes various shapes impressed into it on command. |
1969 | Voice Encyclopedia (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Access to information via robotic voice recognition over the phone. |
1969 | Viewing Tank (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A display monitor. |
1969 | Ecstasy Plug (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) An implanted module that allowed a wirehead to plug himself into ordinary house current. |
1969 | Automatic Vein Finder (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A device to automatically locate veins for intravenous needle insertion. |
1969 | Nothing (from It was Nothing - Really! by Theodore Sturgeon) A super-hard substance created by carefully removing material. |
1969 | Robotic Horse - Faithful Cybernetic Companion (from The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher Stasheff) A robot that is specifically designed to closely resemble a horse. |
1969 | Electronic Body Analyzer (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A replacement for the human doctor. |
1969 | Face Dancer (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Mimicry enhanced through genetic manipulation. |
1969 | Tleilaxu Eyes (Metal Eyes) (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Tleilaxu eye surgery replaces natural eyeballs damaged or destroyed. |
1969 | Project Scoop (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A space craft feature that collects dust for study. |
1969 | Ghola (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A living, functioning person who is regrown or recreated from the tissues of a dead person. |
1969 | Multi-function Living Room (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A small living space with a variety of functions built-in. |
1969 | Float-home (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Living entity genetically designed for use as a houseboat. |
1969 | Singleship (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A spacecraft designed for use by one person. |
1969 | Whologram (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Presents a realistic illusion. |
1969 | Window Wavelength (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Display's that provide 'views' as if they were windows. |
1969 | Psycho-Lease Encephalic Gadget (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A device that provided the conviction that a faked scene was, in fact, real. |
1969 | Membrane Balloon Helmet (from The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven) A selectively permeable membrane worn as a helmet. |
1969 | Homeopape (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A automated device that produces a newspaper without human assistance. |
1969 | Flight Stick (from The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven) A personal flying vehicle, stripped down to the basics. |
1969 | Parenthood Lottery (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) A means of restricting population growth. |
1969 | Sniggertrance (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) The state of a person receiving a call mediated by a Taprisiot; interiorized consciousness accompanied by spastic, jerking body movements. |
1969 | Automatic Gun (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A sentry gun that could target and decide to fire without any human intervention. |
1969 | Stillsuit Desert Boots (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Special boots that offered parasitic power harvesting. |
1969 | Plastic-Eating Bacteria (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) Mutated bacteria able to 'eat' or dissolve rubber and plastic. |
1969 | Recording Eye (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A surveillance device that can survive being dropped from space; transmits images in a wide view. |
1969 | Axolotl Tank (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A device to regenerate or reshape organic material. |
1969 | Jumpdoor (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) The entrance to an energy passage providing instantaneous transportation between points across the galaxy. |
1969 | Rapid-Transit Hover Blimp (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Public transportation for a paranoid age. |
1969 | Ersatz Window (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A display device used in a room without an actual view of the outside; it shows a projection of a real scene. |
1969 | Flying Robot Drone Probe (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A remote-controlled flying drone used for remote investigation and surveillance. |
1969 | Mole Probe (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Automated devices that seek underground routes, burrowing as they go. |
1969 | Drop-Capsule (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Minimal spaceship. |
1969 | Remote-Control Slavery (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Mental control (possibly mediated by radio waves) of individuals of other species. |
1969 | Voicecorder (from Whipping Star by Brian Herbert) A device that records verbal output and determines truth or falsehood. |
1969 | Automated Drone Probes (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Human-sized robot probes for exploration. |
1969 | Device Replication (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Manufacturing devices from a template to save space on space craft. |
1969 | Bot (from We All Died At Breakaway Station by Richard Meredith) The first use of this contraction for "robot". |
1969 | Artificial Telepathy (from We All Died At Breakaway Station by Richard Meredith) Using technology to determine thoughts, and then translate it to speech that could be shared electronically. |
1969 | Plastiskin (from We All Died At Breakaway Station by Richard Meredith) Artificial human skin to cover prosthetics. |
1969 | Mnemonic Flutter System (Pulse-Sychronizer) (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A device to imprint particular facts from a book upon the brain of the reader. |
1969 | Stone Burner (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Atomic weapon which burrows deep into a planet; its radiation also attacks selected nerve tissues. |
1969 | Protective Field (Safety Field) (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) An stat |