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Science Fiction
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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 | Geometric Modeling (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first recorded use of geometric figures to directly represent, or model, living beings. |
1726 | Bio-Energy (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first reference to extracting electricity from organic materials. |
1726 | Knowledge Engine (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) The first reference to a machine that could create sentences or write books. |
1726 | Laputa (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) A floating island or rock in the air. |
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 | 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. |
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. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Air Renewal (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) Re-oxygenating the air within the projectile spacecraft. |
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 | 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 | Gourmet Space Cuisine (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne) The finest in French cuisine, in outer space. |
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 | 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 | 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. |
1868 | Burn the Ship (from Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne) Utilize parts of the ship as fuel for forward movement. |
1868 | Steam Man (from The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis) A mechanical robot powered by steam. |
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 | 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. |
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. |
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 | Compact Food Pastilles (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell) One small tablet is a month's worth of food. |
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. |
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 (Ship) (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. |
1883 | Telephonoscope (from Le Vingtième Siècle (The Twentieth Century) by Albert Robida) A device that effectively transmits pictures and sound over long distances. |
1886 | Ether Ship (from Aleriel or A Voyage to Other Worlds by W.S. Lach-Szyrma) A space-going ship. |
1887 | Anacronopete (Time Machine) (from El Anacronopete by Enrique Gaspar) A flying electric-powered time machine. |
1888 | Credit Card (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy) A simple card that is used in place of money |
1888 | Mall (Great City Bazaar) (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy) An aggregation of shops under one roof. |
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 | 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 | Atmospheric Advertising (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) A means of mass advertising to cities and countries. |
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. |
1889 | Live News (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne) The modern concept of a news broadcast. |
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. |
1893 | War-Balloon (Navigable Aerostat) (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith) Enormous dirigible airships used for war. |
1893 | Air-Ship (VTOL Airship) (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith) A flying machine capable of vertical take-off and landing. |
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. |
1894 | Electric Car Recharging Station (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A public place for recharging electric cars. |
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 | Electric Protection-Wires (Electrified Fence) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) An electric fence. |
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 | Rooftop Windmill (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Renewable energy source for the home. |
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 | Solar 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 | Marine Spider (Hydrofoil) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A very early mention of the hydrofoil concept. |
1894 | Aeriduct (Rain Maker) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A specific means of producing rain. |
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 | 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 | Space-ship (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A space-going vessel. |
1894 | Magnetic Railroads (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) A scheme for powering railroads using enormous electromagnets. |
1894 | Windmill Mast (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV) Enclosed machinery in large masts powers ships. |
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 | Atomic Energy (from The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie) Splitting the atom to create a destructive force. |
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 | Submarine Tube (from An Express of the Future by Michel Verne) A means of transport between Europe and North America via underwater tubes. |
1895 | Undersea City (from The Crystal City Under the Sea by Andre Laurie) A great city under the sea, covered by a crystal dome. |
1896 | Fulgurator (from Facing The Flag by Jules Verne) An 'autopropulsive projectile'. |
1896 | Monsters Manufactured (from The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells) Dr. Moreau demonstrates the plasticity of the organic form. |
1897 | 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. |
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 | 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. |
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 | 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 | Automatic Shell (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton) A projectile that bores through obstacles - even the Earth! |
1897 | Gravitational Wave Viewer (from Two Planets by Kurd Lasswitz) A device used to see at astronomical distances. |
1897 | Sun-Telephone (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) Receives transmissions from the sun itself. |
1897 | Walking Balloon (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A means of efficiently traversing rough country. |
1897 | Artificial Silk (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A fabric like silk produced entirely without silkworms. |
1897 | Home Planet (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) Usually the birthplace of your species or simply your planet of origin. |
1897 | Interstellar Express Car (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) Uses anti-gravitation metal to achieve terrific speeds in space. |
1897 | Glow-Worm Living (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) Alternated work, play and slumber without long periods of sleep. |
1897 | Noninterference With Other Worlds (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) Earliest expression of the 'Prime Directive' idea. |
1897 | Electric Bicycle (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A two-wheeled device utilizing stored electricity as motive power. |
1897 | Helium Metal (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) An ore with the spectroscopic line of Helium. |
1897 | Life-Brew (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop) A non-alcoholic beverage, but similar to wine. |
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 | Tripod (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) An enormous metallic robot. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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. |
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 | Heat Ray (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) First use of what appears to be a laser weapon. |
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 | 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 | Black Smoke (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) A smoke or vapor dispensed in canisters. |
1898 | Space Walk (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss) Going outside your space craft for a short time. |
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 | Autonomous Digging Machine (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells) A mechanical device able to excavate on its own. |
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 | 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 | Eadhamite (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) Synthetic material that creates extremely smooth roads. |
1899 | Electric-Automatic Household Robot Cook (from Ely's Automatic Housemaid by Elizabeth Bellamy) A robot chef - an Electric-Automatic Household Beneficent Genius! |
1899 | Networked World (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) Very early description of our dependence on technology and communication. |
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 | 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. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Automated Surface Measurement (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A mechanical method of accurately measuring a surface. |
1899 | Automatic Door (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells) A wall strip that rolls up automatically to let you through. |
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 | Aerodrome (Ærodromes) (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) Flying machines. |
1899 | Aerocycle (Ærocycle) (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) An aerial bicycle, human powered. |
1899 | Automatic Valet (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) A robotic manservant. |
1899 | Nickalum (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) An alloy of aluminum crystalized within a magnetic field for exceptional strength. |
1899 | Aerial Dynamite Ships (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) Using airplanes to drop explosives during war. |
1899 | Electrical Farming Implements (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) Labor-saving automatic farm equipment. |
1899 | Nutritious Pellets (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird) Food in pill form. |
1900 | Aerocar (from The Abduction of Alexandra Seine by Fred C. Smale) A personal flying vehicle. |
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 | Translatophone (from My Translatophone by Frank Stockton) A device that performs mechanical translation of one language into another. |
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 | Homeworld (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 | Death-Ray (from The World Masters by George Griffith) A thin ray of electric light that melts flesh away from the bone. |
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 | 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 | Tik-Tok (from Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum) A mechanical man. |
1907 | Gravitation Screen (from On The Martian Way by Harry Gore Bishop) Shields a spacecraft from the gravity of a planetary body. |
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 | 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 | Machine Apartment (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) Each person lives isolated in their own room, supported by a vast planetary 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 | 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 | The Book of the Machine (from The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster) The only book needed for life in the vast Machine. |
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. |
1910 | Automaton Chessplayer (from Moxon's Master by Ambrose Bierce) The first chess-playing computer. |
1911 | Language Rectifier (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) The first reference to machine-translation of human languages. |
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 | Iridium Spirals (Street Lights) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Streetlights provide sunlight at night. |
1911 | Detectophone (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) First use of the idea of a voice-activated machine. |
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 | Artificial Cloth (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) The creation of fabrics without organic natural fibers. |
1911 | Steelonium (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A remarkable kind of steel that did not rust or corrode. |
1911 | Telautograph (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) First fictional reference to a fax machine. |
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 | 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 | Tele-Motor-Coasters (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Powered skates for personal transportation. |
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 | Telephot (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A device that combined the functions of telephone and television; a phone with a screen. |
1911 | Space-Sick (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Uneasiness associated with space travel. |
1911 | Electric Rifle (from Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle by Victor Appleton) A device that shoots an electrical charge. |
1911 | Helio-Dynamophores (Sun-Power-Generators) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Photo-electric elements which transformed the solar heat direct into electric energy. |
1911 | Aerocab (Aeroflyer) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) A electric flying taxi, or 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. |
1911 | Menograph (Mind-Writer) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Direct translation of thought to paper. |
1911 | Gravity Nullification (Gravity Screen) (from Ralph 124c 41 + by Hugo Gernsback) Gravity annulled in its entirety in a small area. |
1912 | Automated Restaurant (from A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Food is prepared and served entirely automatically. |
1913 | Poison Space Cloud (Etheric Poison) (from The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle) A deadly cloud of gas large enough to envelop the solar system. |
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 | Atomic Bomb (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) A weapon that uses an atomic chain reaction as an explosive force. |
1914 | Artificial Food (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) Food produced without soil, chemically. |
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. |
1914 | Atomic Engine (from The World Set Free by H.G. Wells) A motor running on atomic fuel. |
1915 | Food Tablet (from John Jones's Dollar by Harry Stephen Keeler) All of your nutrients in one easy-to-swallow form factor. |
1915 | Visaphone System Zoom Call (from John Jones's Dollar by Harry Stephen Keeler) An amazingly early description of a modern zoom call on a big screen monitor. |
1915 | Pocket wireless phone (from John Jones's Dollar by Harry Stephen Keeler) An entirely portable, pocket-sized, telephone. |
1917 | Ray gun (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) A weapon that projects a beam of destructive force. |
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 | Open-Air Moving Picture Shows (from The Messiah of the Cylinder by Victor Rousseau) Public news outlets |
1918 | Photophone (from The Planeteer by Michael Flynn) A device that provided a view of the other booth. |
1918 | Magnetic Elevator (from The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs) A device that uses very powerful electromagnets for propulsion. |
1918 | Aero Bus (Flying Bus) (from What Not: A Prophetic Comedy by Rose Macaulay) A flying bus. |
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 | Robotess (from R.U.R. by Karel Capek) A female 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. |
1920 | Living Metal Cubes (from The Metal Monster by Abraham Merritt) Tiny metal cubes and pyramids that work together to create larger shapes. |
1921 | Phonographic Locks (from A Journey to the Year 2025 by Clement Fezandie) Doors that open using voice recognition. |
1921 | Pocket-Wings (from A Journey to the Year 2025 by Clement Fezandie) Individual powered flight. |
1922 | Membrane (from We by Yevgeny Zamyatin) A listening device. |
1923 | Acoustic Apparatus (Osophone) (from Acoustic Apparatus by Hugo Gernsback) A device that used bone conduction to transmit sound. |
1923 | Wireless Access Point (from Men Like Gods by H.G. Wells) Infrastructure that provides power and wireless communication. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Artificial Life (from Across Space by Edmond Hamilton) Creating living beings from inorganic elements. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Blue Ray of Death (from Across Space by Edmond Hamilton) A ray that reduces an organic being to ash instantly. |
1926 | Tentacle Machines (from The Metal Giants by Edmond Hamilton) Enormous robots, cylindrical of body, tentacular of arms, autonomous of brain, sinister of intent. |
1926 | Robot Wheel (from The Metal Giants by Edmond Hamilton) An enormous vehicular robot in the shape of a gigantic wheel. |
1926 | Transparent Dome Helmet (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A spacesuit helmet that can be seen through. |
1926 | Flexible Metal Arms (Tentacles) (from The Metal Giants by Edmond Hamilton) An interesting description of how mechanical tentacles might function. |
1926 | Atomic Energy Motor (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) An engine which utilizes atomic energy. |
1926 | Atomic Machine (from The Man from the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A device that shrinks and expands its wearer. |
1926 | Starship (from War in Space by Raymond Quiex) A vehicle for space travel. |
1926 | Bolognium (from Transactions of Amer Soc for Steel Treating by Edgar Bain) Very early fictional element, courtesy of metallurgists. |
1927 | Paralyzing Cone (from The Atomic Conquerors by Edmond Hamilton) A device that paralyzes the muscles. |
1927 | Cold Ray (from The Atomic Conquerors by Edmond Hamilton) A device that pulled warmth from anything it was aimed at. |
1927 | Repulsor Ray (from The Time-Raider by Edmond Hamilton) Fires an invisible beam of electrons for propulsion. |
1928 | Space Buoy (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A marker in space. |
1928 | Pressure-Suit (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A pressurized suit for use in the airless void of space. |
1928 | Meteor-Sweeps (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Maneuver to chase down and destroy meteor showers that threaten celestial navigation. |
1928 | Psycho-Phone (from A Biological Experiment by David H. Keller) A device that recorded and played back the thoughts of the user. |
1928 | Hall of the Council (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) An enormous council chamber, fit for a galaxy. |
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 | Auto-Car (from The Revolt of the Pedestrians by David H. Keller) A personal vehicle for indoor and outdoor use. |
1928 | Synthetic Babies (from A Biological Experiment by David H. Keller) A means of gestating eggs to term is found. |
1928 | Death-Beam (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Ravening pale beams of light used in space battles. |
1928 | Viewplate (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A flat panel viewing display. |
1928 | Steering a Star (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Steering a star, altering its path, taking it to a new location. |
1928 | Concentro (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Concentrated synthetic food rations. |
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 | Inertron (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Material with all the properties of heavier metals, but lighter. |
1928 | Ultrophone (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A means of communication that transmits and receives simultaneously. |
1928 | Ultron Wire (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Invisible metal makes the thinnest, strongest wire. |
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 | Rocket Gun (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) In essence, a bazooka. |
1928 | Jumper (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Inertron belt results in effective weightlessness. |
1928 | Flying Harness (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Device allows free movement in the air. |
1928 | Electric Diaper (from The Psychophonic Nurse by David H. Keller) A diaper that will indicate when it is wet. |
1928 | Telechart (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) An interactive metal plate upon which were displayed celestial objects for interstellar navigation. |
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 | Meteorometer (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A device that warned space ships in flight about oncoming meteors. |
1928 | Pain Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Creates pain by nerve induction. |
1928 | Grantline Comptometer (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) Key-driven computer/calculator that easily solves even calculus problems. |
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 | Raytron Apparatus (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) A device for aerial surveillance; the image was transmitted back to the user. |
1928 | Attractive Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A beam of radiation that pulls. |
1928 | Vibration-Propelled Cruiser (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A spacecraft with a propulsion system relying on waves in spacetime itself. |
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 | Ultron (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Very handy material is invisible and non-reflective. |
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 | Floater (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A device that allows the user to literally float in the air |
1928 | Needle Pipe (from Beyond the Stars by Ray Cummings) A device that could project slivers of metal at near light speed. |
1928 | De-atomizing Ray (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Beam of energy causes matter to fly apart. |
1928 | Gravity-Screen (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) A device that shields an object from the effects of gravity. |
1928 | Repellor Anti-Gravity Rays (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) Device provides support for planet-side air travel. |
1928 | Space-Lanes (from Crashing Suns by Edmond Hamilton) Well-traveled routes through outer space. |
1928 | Psychophonic Nurse (from The Psychophonic Nurse by David H. Keller) A child-care robot - a nanny bot. |
1928 | Chest Disc (from Armageddon: 2419 A.D. by Philip Frances Nowlan) A voice activated wireless transmitter. |
1928 | Videophone (from The Golden Girl of Munan by Harl Vincent) A person-to-person communication device offering sight as well as sound. |
1928 | Atoplane (from The Moon of Doom by Earl L. Bell) An airplane powered by nuclear energy, capable of tremendous speed and distance. |
1928 | Mother World (from The Moon of Doom by Earl L. Bell) One's home planet, or the origin world of one's species. |
1928 | Atomic Percolator (from The Golden Girl of Munan by Harl Vincent) Make coffee with radiation. |
1928 | Negative Acceleration (from Skylark of Space by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Turning a torchship through a half-circle, thereby applying force in the direction of motion, slowing the ship down. |
1928 | Neutralizing Wall (from The Golden Girl of Munan by Harl Vincent) A barrier that stops electrical and mechanical vibrations, rendering the protected area effectively invisible. |
1928 | Universal Sterilization Law (from A Biological Experiment by David H. Keller) All young people were sterilized, and replacement people were generated artificially. |
1928 | Harvest Power From Stray Energy (from The Golden Girl of Munan by Harl Vincent) A means of collecting enough energy from stray electronic impulses to power a device. |
1929 | Electric Kitchen (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) Food preparation in space requires safe equipment. |
1929 | Harbenite (from Tarzan at the Eath's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Ultralight metal. |
1929 | O-220 (from Tarzan at the Eath's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs) Ultralight zeppelin |
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 | Spacesuit Testing (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) A device and method for testing spacesuits. |
1929 | Space Travel (from A Baby on Neptune by Clare Winger Harris (w/MJ Breuer)) Human movement through outer space. |
1929 | Flying Platform (from Locked Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Simple black squares that fly and hover. |
1929 | Life Chamber (from The Chamber of Life by G. Peyton Wertenbaker) A machine-mediated, fully immersive experiential environment. |
1929 | Magnetic Shoes (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) Footgear magnetized for working on steel hulls. |
1929 | Televisor (from The Phantom Teleview by Bob Olsen) A viewing screen. |
1929 | Pneumatic Suit (from The Shot Into Infinity by Otto Willi Gail) An airtight spacesuit. |
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 | 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 | Indirect Cold Light (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) Apparently source-less lighting, highly efficient, with no waste heat. |
1929 | Ship's Artificial Gravity (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A very early mention of the term. |
1929 | Remote Telepresence Robot (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A very early depiction of this basic idea. |
1929 | Instant Photography (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) A photograph that develops immediately inside the camera. |
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 | Anti-Fatigue Pill (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) A pill that counteracts the effects of fatigue and lack of sleep. |
1929 | Diagnostic Type Sense Transmitter (from The Sky Maniac by Henri Dahl Juve) Allows the doctor to directly feel the same sensations that the patient feels. |
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 | Air-Freighter Cargo Plane (from The Invisible Raiders by Ed Earl Repp) An enormous airplane used for transporting cargo across the country. |
1929 | Inurbanity (Inurbane) (from The Cubic City by Louis Tucker, D.D.) Criminal penalties for persons who are unable to behave properly in crowded cubic cities. |
1929 | Ray-Pistol (from The War of the Planets by Harl Vincent) An early version of the raygun. |
1929 | Rocket Pistol (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) Using pistol rounds to maneuver in space. |
1929 | Local Time Clock (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) A clock for use in airships that always indicates the time for the place they are flying over. |
1929 | Sol (from Out of Void by L.F. Stone) Familiar name for our own sun. |
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 | Chemical Brain (from The Chemical Brain by Francis Flagg) A purely chemical artificial intelligence. |
1929 | Massive Open Learning (from The Threat of the Robot by David H. Keller) Teach using standard videos prepared by the best teachers. |
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 | Gravity Nullifier (from The Sky Maniac by Henri Dahl Juve) Shields a large object from the effect of gravity. |
1929 | Pocket Gravity Nullifier (from The Sky Maniac by Henri Dahl Juve) Personal device stops gravity's effect. |
1929 | Air Tunnel (from Through the Air Tunnel by Harl Vincent) A means of sending trains through the air. |
1929 | Fan Ray (from The Onslaught From Venus by Frank Phillips) A protective ray screen in the shape of a cone. |
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 | Mechanical Men (from The Ancient Brain by A.G. Stangland) Remote controlled robots used to perform dangerous work. |
1929 | Atmospheric Pressure Control Plane (from Around the World in 24 Hours by R.H. Romans) A vessel that flies by creating pockets of high and low pressure. |
1929 | Electro-Culturer (from The Ancient Brain by A.G. Stangland) A device used to artificially stimulate cell growth and development. |
1929 | Position Locator Display (from Flight of the Eastern Star by Ed Earl Repp) Screen shows the position of hundreds of aircraft; |
1929 | Rescue Nets (from Flight of the Eastern Star by Ed Earl Repp) Nets raised around the circumference of a vast air transport. |
1929 | Teleview (from The Phantom Teleview by Bob Olsen) A device for seeing at a distance. |
1929 | Cubic City (from The Cubic City by Louis Tucker, D.D.) A city contained in a single, immense building. |
1929 | Boring Heat Machine (from The Onslaught From Venus by Frank Phillips) Takes tunnel boring material and turns it into building material. |
1929 | Sunparlor (from The Cubic City by Louis Tucker, D.D.) A vast esplanade enclosed in glass, to permit sunbathing without leaving an immense building. |
1929 | Helium Tubes (from The Cubic City by Louis Tucker, D.D.) Lighting that exactly mimics the frequencies of sunlight. |
1929 | Shovel-Handed Digging Machines (from The Onslaught From Venus by Frank Phillips) Huge multi-legged machines used to dig and manipulate earth. |
1929 | Disrupter Ray (Molecule Disrupter) (from The Silent Destroyer by Henri Dahl Juve) Atoms of materials no longer adhere to each other. |
1929 | Atomic Shell (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A nuclear munition, fired from a cannon. |
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 | Force-Ray (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A large, hand-held spear of force. |
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. |
1929 | Space Craft (from Night-Thing by Wilford Allen) A ship that travels through the airless void of space. |
1929 | Suitcase Airplane (from Suitcase Airplanes by E.D. Skinner) A diminutive, collapsible, two-passenger biplane. |
1929 | Aerocab (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A floating taxicab. |
1929 | Hypnotelevisor (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A device that displays memories directly on a helmet screen. |
1929 | Metalloglass (from Buck Rogers, 2430 AD by Philip Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)) A transparent "glass" made of metal. |
1929 | Overmind (from The Chemical Brain by Francis Flagg) A consciousness that supersedes the minds of many individuals. |
1929 | Robots Take Human Jobs (from The Threat of the Robot by David H. Keller) Robots displace human beings in the workforce. |
1929 | Governing Keyboard (from The Threat of the Robot by David H. Keller) A remote-controlled robot responds to keyboard commands. |
1929 | Television Sheet (from The Threat of the Robot by David H. Keller) A large, flat screen television set. |
1929 | Pay Per View TV (from The Threat of the Robot by David H. Keller) The broadcast of games and matches to private televisions for a fee. |
1930 | Death Projector (from The Stolen Mind by M.L. Staley) Wide angle Ray of death! |
1930 | Anti-Glare Coated Glass (from The Death's Head Meteor by Neil R. Jones) Special coated glass for space craft. |
1930 | Moon Walk (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Very early realistic depiction of walking on the moon in low gravity. |
1930 | Lunar Mining (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Very early (first?) reference to mining operations on the moon. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Robot Waiter (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) Robotic restaurant servitor. |
1930 | Iron Fingers (from The Death's Head Meteor by Neil R. Jones) Special metal manipulators set on the hull of a space craft, and manipulated from the inside. |
1930 | Magnalloy (from The Cave of Horror by S.P. Meek) A durable form of magnesium. |
1930 | Asteroid Space Flyer (from The Death's Head Meteor by Neil R. Jones) Specialized one-man craft for exploring asteroids. |
1930 | Spherical Tires (from The Death's Head Meteor by Neil R. Jones) Tires that are shaped like balls, rather than like squat cylinders. |
1930 | Glassite (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A transparent material of great strength. |
1930 | Lux (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A bar of solidified light. |
1930 | Vacuum Armor (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An armor-plated space suit. |
1930 | Low-scale Detectors (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Magnifies even the smallest sound. |
1930 | Matched-Frequency Separable Units (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Devices that can draw power wirelessly from a matched source. |
1930 | Artificial Gravity (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Procuring gravitational forces without a suitably large mass. |
1930 | Automatic Cultivators (from Piracy Preferred by John W. Campbell) Agricultural robots. |
1930 | Artificial Gravity System (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) Producing a gravity field without a large nearby mass. |
1930 | Artificial Transparent Element (from Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon) A substance as strong as metal that you can see through. |
1930 | Astronaut (from The Death's Head Meteor by Neil R. Jones) A person who travels in space. |
1930 | Paralyzing Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Stops body motions. |
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 | Neutronium (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Extremely dense material. |
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 | Eavesdropping Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A device that allows others to hear from outside ordinary locked rooms. |
1930 | Shield (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Early name for a defensive force field. |
1930 | Pencil Heat Ray (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) An offensive, man-portable heat ray. |
1930 | Solar-Powered Aircraft (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A plane powered entirely by solar energy. |
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 | Visiplate (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A flat screen for viewing remote images. |
1930 | The Cosmic Express (from The Cosmic Express by Jack Williamson) A means of transmitting matter wirelessly. |
1930 | Space Lock (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) An airlock on a spacecraft. |
1930 | Visiphone (from The Message From Space by David M. Speaker) Visual as well as audio communication. |
1930 | Invisible Cloak (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A cloak that renders the wearer invisible. |
1930 | Moon Dome (from Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A permanent domed structure for living on the Moon. |
1930 | Mother Ship (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A large spacecraft that serves as home base for other (usually smaller) ships. |
1930 | Helicops (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) Small, private flyers for business commuting. |
1930 | Electric Plane (from Synthetic by Charles Cloukey) An airplane powered entirely by electricity. |
1930 | Air-Shoes (from An Adventure in Time by Francis Flagg) Footgear provides the wearer with the ability to "walk" through the air, climbing as needed. |
1930 | Planet City (from The Message From Space by David M. Speaker) A planet the surface of which is entirely covered over, forming one single city. |
1930 | Brain Rejuvenation (from The Message From Space by David M. Speaker) Erase unnecessary parts of memory to make room for new impressions. |
1930 | Robot Doctor (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) A mechanical physician. |
1930 | Artificial Eyes (from Synthetic by Charles Cloukey) Eyes that are the duplicate of what humans are born with, produced entirely artificially from elements. |
1930 | Synthetic Life (from Synthetic by Charles Cloukey) Living animals made from scratch using inorganic elements. |
1930 | Sound-Killing Air Fluid (from The Noise Killer by A.M. McNeill) A means to eliminate all of the noise made by machines in a city, leaving the voices of human beings. |
1930 | Face-Plate (from Skylark Three by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) The transparent front of a space suit helmet. |
1930 | The Sleep (from Tani of Ekkis by Judson W. Reeves) Use of a special technique to lessen the supplies required for long space voyages. |
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 | Bird-Like Robots (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) Robotic birds used in a stage play. |
1930 | Spectrumoscope (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) Provides sight directly to the brain-cells of the sightless. |
1930 | Theater Seat Indicators (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) Vacant seats are clearly shown. |
1930 | Altitude Suit (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) Special gear for venturing out at high altitude or even space. |
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 | Artificial Island For Ocean Rocket Launch (from Between Earth and Moon by Otfrid von Hanstein) An entirely artificial, floating island used as a launch platform. |
1930 | Indoor Stadium (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) An entirely enclosed baseball stadium. |
1930 | Rubber Soled Feet (from The Robot Terror by Melbourne Huff) Silent padding for clanky robots. |
1930 | Ray Pistol (from The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell) A handheld device for projecting radiative force of some kind. |
1930 | Life Tubes (from Liners of Space by Jim Vanny) Escape pods for space ships. |
1930 | Trans-Oceanic Rocket Ship (from Berlin to New York in One Hour by Max Valier) Rocket-propelled airplanes making short work of long trips on Earth. |
1930 | Radio-Controlled Mechanical Man (from The Robot Terror by Melbourne Huff) A remote-controlled robot. |
1930 | Puff-Pipe (from Flamingo: A Drama of A.D. 1950 by Clarence Edward Heller) Pipe with lighting built in. |
1930 | Space-Walkers (from The Universe Wreckers by Edmond Hamilton) Tall cylinders with a window at eye-level, and pincer-claws controlled by the wearer. |
1930 | Ring-Table (from The Universe Wreckers by Edmond Hamilton) A device that creates a 'group mind', a single mind, from the many gathered around it. |
1930 | Exodus Ship (from Tani of Ekkis by Judson W. Reeves) A generation ship to save a culture from extinction. |
1930 | Shock-Absorbing Seats (from Evans of the Earth-Guard by Edmond Hamilton) Perfect for the many gravities of acceleration upon take-off. |
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. |
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 | 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 | Meteorite 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 | Suit-Phone (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A means of wireless communication between individuals dressed in space suits. |
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 | Needle Gun (from In the Spacesphere by Charles Cloukey) A weapon that fires thin slivers of metal. |
1931 | City of Space (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A very early reference to an enormous cylindrical space station. |
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 | Robot-Deranger (from The Exile of Time by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that confuses the cognitive functions of robots. |
1931 | Zeta-Ray (from The Death Cloud by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Makes and maintains vast holes - even in ocean water! |
1931 | Time-Telespectroscope. (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) See other time-travelers. |
1931 | Robot Revolt (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) Robots to throw off the yoke of Man? |
1931 | Lifeboat (from Spacehounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small space-worthy craft that can be jettisoned from a larger ship, to save its crew. |
1931 | Pressor (Pressor Beam) (from Spacehounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A force-field beam that pushes, rather than pulls. |
1931 | Spaceyacht (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) Interplanetary spacecraft for the well-to-do. |
1931 | Space Liner (from On Board the Martian Liner by Miles J. Breuer) A large, passenger-carrying space ship. |
1931 | Astrogator (from The Conquest of Space by David Lasser) A person who acts as navigator for s space ship. |
1931 | Propulsion Gun (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) What can you push against in space? |
1931 | Neutronic Dust (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) What's left over when you've annihilated matter. |
1931 | Space Suit (from The Emperor of the Stars by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Special protective gear worn as protection in space. |
1931 | Space-Helmet (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A 'fishbowl-style' head covering for space explorers. |
1931 | Gravograph (from The Sargasso of Space by Edmond Hamilton) A graphical representation of gravitational fields. |
1931 | Paralyzing Blast (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) A red Ray of light that freezes those it falls upon. |
1931 | Force-Field (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) A barrier to objects, created by projected forces. |
1931 | Death Bath (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A suicide chamber. |
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 | 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 | Pentavalent Nitrogen (from Spacehounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A high explosive formed from nitrogen. |
1931 | Evolution Machine (from The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton) A device that accelerates the process of evolution by millions of times. |
1931 | Ultra-Light Vision System (from Spacehounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A viewing technology able to see through and even within most objects. |
1931 | Argento-Platinoid Dispatch Box (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Impenetrable message carriers. |
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 | Disintegrator Plate Ray (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Ray cuts through metal like butter. |
1931 | Gate (from The Gate to Xoran by Hal K. Wells) A opening through spacetime to other worlds. |
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 | Master Machine (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) One single machine to run a civilization! |
1931 | Magnetic Clamps (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) Used for attaching your craft to a larger spaceship. |
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 | Curtain (Force Barrier) (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) An easily set-up protective force barrier. |
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 | Jovium (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Rocket fuel catalyst that makes space travel commercially practical. |
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 | Attractor (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) A beam capable of holding objects motionless, as well as adjusting their position. |
1931 | Power Planet (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) A satellite that supplies the Earth with power. |
1931 | Mechanical Thought Transformers (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) Machinery to expedite the process of thought transfer. |
1931 | Tractor Beam (from Spacehounds of IPC by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A force field used to pull objects. |
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 | Zero-Ray (from An Adventure in Futurity by Clark Ashton Smith) Inflicts a fatal frostbite on living tissue. |
1931 | Helio-Beryllium (from Out Around Rigel by Robert H. Wilson) Unusual alloy combines a metal and a gas. |
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 | Dimensoscope (from The Fifth-Dimension Catapult by Murray Leinster) A telescope for peering into other dimensions. |
1931 | Space Men (from The Exiles of Venus by Jim Vanny) Beings who travel and work in space. |
1931 | Annihilator Beam (from The Conquest of Gola by L.F. Stone) A deadly ray that literally dissolved matter! |
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 | 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 | Gravity Detector (from The Lunar Chrysalis by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device capable of detecting the gravitational field of a distant mass. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Sunship (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A space craft powered entirely by the sun. |
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 | Conveyor Ribbon (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A moving sidewalk. |
1931 | Robot Vending Machine (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Machinery displaces news boys selling papers on street corners. |
1931 | Food Factory (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Mechanized production of food by entirely artificial means. |
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 | Spacegram (from An Adventure on Eros by J. Harvey Haggard) Telegrams of the space lanes. |
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 | Space-Liner (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A passenger ship in space. |
1931 | Integral Calculator (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A device that accepts complex equations and solves them. |
1931 | Reaction-Motors (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A spacecraft engine that works by firing matter out at high speed. |
1931 | Vitalium (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A rare radioactive metal which enables solar power cells. |
1931 | Sodaluminum (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Lightweight and tough! |
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 | Tele-Audiovized Meeting (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Teleconferencing done right. |
1931 | Moon Run (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) An accurate representation of running on the moon. |
1931 | Centipede-Machine (from Monsters of Mars by Edmond Hamilton) Multi-legged transport. |
1931 | Sensitive Robot Fingers (from The Exile of Time by Ray Cummings) Special sensory capabilities of robotic appendages. |
1931 | Matter Annihilation Ray (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) A beam that forces electrons into protons, thereby destroying ordinary matter. |
1931 | Protonite (from Twelve Hours To Live by Jack Williamson) Radioactive fuel for spacecraft. |
1931 | Skycar (from Prima Donna 1980 by Bernard Brown) A personal means of transportation that flies. |
1931 | Kundrenaline (from The Hands of Aten by H.G. Winter) Revives even a dead man's heart. |
1931 | Synthetic Food Factories (from The Revolt of the Machines by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Food production without soil. |
1931 | Normal Space (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) As opposed to hyperspace. |
1931 | Virtual Assembly (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) Use of holograms to accomplish an assembly of people. |
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 | 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 | Telucid (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) A holographic projector. |
1931 | Thought-receptor Vote-counting Machine (from If The Sun Died by R.F. Starzl) That's one way to do a plebiscite. |
1931 | Ultra-Telescope Ray (from The Moon Weed by Harl Vincent) A transporter Ray that works over interplanetary distances. |
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 | Selective Electric Eye (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A facial recognition device. |
1931 | Free Fall (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) Phrase describing how bodies move in orbit. |
1931 | Control Disk (from The Slave Ship From Space by A.R. Holmes) |
1931 | Metal Monster with Jointed Limbs (from The Doom From Planet 4 by Jack Williamson) A large robotic device with legs. |
1931 | Flame Pistol (from Invisible Ships by Harl Vincent) A hand-held weapon that incinerates opponents. |
1931 | Lens-Tube (from The Doom From Planet 4 by Jack Williamson) A kind of seeing device like a short-range telescope. |
1931 | Gravity Belt (from Venus Mines, Incorporated by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) Adds 'weight' for walking on asteroids. |
1931 | Thigh Grips (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) Special chair feature for space ships undergoing accelerations. |
1931 | Televisiophone (from Islands of Space by John W. Campbell) A device that combines picture with sound for personal communication. |
1931 | Groundling (from Exiles of the Moon by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)) A person who does not fly, especially into space. |
1931 | Positive Ray Propulsion (Ion Drive) (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) An ion drive. |
1931 | Photograph of Earth from Space (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) An aerial photograph from outside the atmosphere. |
1931 | Self-Sustaining Space Craft (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A spacecraft ecosystem. |
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 | Beam-Powered Propulsion (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Using a powerful energy source as motive power for a projectile. |
1931 | Motor Torpedo (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) A terrestrial torpedo, driven by ion beams. |
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 | Ultra-Terrene (from An Adventure in Futurity by Clark Ashton Smith) Originating from some world other than Earth. |
1931 | Microhands (from Microhands (Микроруки) by Boris Zhitkov) Mechanical replica of hands, that mimic the movements of actual human hands. |
1931 | Asteroid Belt (from The Disc-Men of Jupiter by Manly Wade Wellman) The circular region of space containing many small celestial bodies. |
1931 | Heliocar (from The Prince of Space by Jack Williamson) Ground vehicle that can also lift off like a helicopter. |
1931 | Magnetic Ray (from The Exiles of Venus by Jim Vanny) A powerful magnetic beam. |
1931 | Reaction Attachment (from The Asteroid of Death by Neil R. Jones) Independent maneuvering for space suits. |
1931 | Radium Repeller ray (from The Asteroid of Death by Neil R. Jones) Move inbound asteroids aside to keep ships safe. |
1931 | Mother World (from The Asteroid of Death by Neil R. Jones) Planet of origin. |
1931 | Scanning-Disk Telescope (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) A telescope which uses a television-like monitor instead of an eyepiece. |
1931 | Adoption of Television (from Prima Donna 1980 by Bernard Brown) Prediction of TV penetration in homes and the death of movie houses. |
1931 | Optophone (Opto) (from Too Many Boards! by Harl Vincent) A video call system. |
1931 | Magnetic Boots (from Atomic Fire by Raymond Z. Gallun) Special footgear holds spacemen to the metal deck in spite of the lack of gravity. |
1931 | Sound Nullifier (from Prima Donna 1980 by Bernard Brown) A barrier to sound; the cancellation of sound waves. |
1931 | Porter Televox-Robot (from On Board the Martian Liner by Miles J. Breuer) A robot that carries your bags through the passageways of space liners. |
1931 | Time Stream (from Time Stream by John Taine) The total sequence of events considered as a kind of flow. |
1931 | Mutation (from The Man Who Evolved by Edmond Hamilton) An organism that has come into being through genetic mutation. |
1931 | Sapience (from The Planet Entity by E.M. Johnson (w/C.A. Smith)) The ability of a species to think, to reason with discernment and wisdom. |
1931 | Space Madness (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) The monotony of space travel could drive you crazy. |
1931 | Telepadion Instructor (from An Adventure on Eros by J. Harvey Haggard) A device that places an entire sensory experience directly into the brain. |
1931 | Perfect Voice Modulation (from Prima Donna 1980 by Bernard Brown) Artificially creating the perfect human singing voice. |
1931 | Message Cylinder (Message Bomb) (from The Cosmic Cloud by Bruno H. Burgel) A means of sending dispatches from space via a small projectile dropped from orbit; effectively a message rocket. |
1931 | Telephotography (from The Cosmic Cloud by Bruno H. Burgel) Sending pictures over a distance, displaying them on a vast screen. |
1931 | Solar Power Apparatus (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) An ingenious device to gather solar energy, melt water, power a turbine and get hydrogen and oxygen fuel from ice. |
1931 | Iron Inlay Plates (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) Works perfectly with an electromagnetic table to maintain place settings. |
1931 | Filling Station Moon (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) The idea that Man could first go to the Moon to obtain fuel or propellant. |
1931 | Ozone Radiation Shield (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) Filling the gap between the inner and outer hull with ozone. |
1931 | Invasion Gate For Aliens (from Monsters of Mars by Edmond Hamilton) Using alien instructions to create a gate for alien invasion. |
1931 | Ship's Telescope (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) A large telescope built into the main axis of the ship. |
1931 | Terrene (from An Adventure in Futurity by Clark Ashton Smith) Pertaining to the Earth. |
1931 | Braking Disks (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) Used when the ship is falling through a planetary atmosphere. |
1931 | Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction (from Atomic Fire by Raymond Z. Gallun) An 'atomic fire' is started that consumes all matter in reach! |
1931 | Foot Loops (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) Hold yourself down in zero gravity situations with this low-tech device. |
1931 | Light Speed (from Out Around Rigel by Clyde Wilson) Using the speed of light at a unit of velocity. |
1931 | Selenium Photo-Electric Televisor (from A Daring Trip To Mars by Max Valier) A specialized photo-electric cell. |
1931 | Space-Tent (from The Lunar Chrysalis by Raymond Z. Gallun) A small, portable air-tight structure used on the lunar surface. |
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 | Rocket Float (from Too Many Boards! by Harl Vincent) A sea-going floating platform for rocket launches. |
1931 | Air Tank Flying (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) Using little blasts of compressed air to fly around inside a space station. |
1931 | Observation Room Recreation Center (from The Power Planet by Murray Leinster) A vast internal space in a space station, often used for exercise and amusement. |
1931 | Blue Beam (from The Reign of the Masters by Edmond Hamilton) A pitiless pale blue beam of death! |
1931 | Machine Masters (from The Reign of the Masters by Edmond Hamilton) Humans did less and less, and machines did more and more, until machines became the masters. |
1931 | Matter Transmitter and Receiver (from Monsters of Mars by Edmond Hamilton) A device that transports matter through space. |
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 | Sun-Tube (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A slicing ray of death! |
1932 | Search Beams (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) Penetrating rays that disclose the contents of rooms, ships, etc. |
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 | Isolation Barrage (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Device prevents eavesdropping. |
1932 | Vacuum Cylinder (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Traveling first class, but like mail, in a tube system. |
1932 | 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. |
1932 | Diskoid (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A huge flying saucer. |
1932 | Centrifugal Bumble-Puppy (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Futuristic children's game. |
1932 | Weather Machine (from Slaves of Mercury by Nat Schachner) A device for controlling the weather. |
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-Boat (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) A small space-worthy craft for use in emergencies. |
1932 | Automatics (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) Machinery capable of running some aspect of a space ship's operation on its own. |
1932 | Space-Boots (from The Passing of Ku Sui by Anthony Gilmore) Special footgear for spacemen. |
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 | Alpha Plus (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Intervening in the physical development of humans can result in enhancements. |
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 | Water Pool Cushions Acceleration (from The Derelicts of Ganymede by John W. Campbell) The use of water to cushion and protect against extreme ship accelerations. |
1932 | Space-Tanned (from Slaves of Mercury by Warren Hammond) The characteristic darkening of the men of the spaceways. |
1932 | Hypnopædia (Sleep-Teaching) (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) The idea that a person can learn explicit subject matter while sleeping. |
1932 | Feelies (Feely) (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Device adds the tactile element to entertainment. |
1932 | Scent-Organ (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) A device that output specified odors. |
1932 | Pocket-Planet (from The Duel on the Asteroid by P. Schuyler Miller (w/D. McDermott)) An asteroid. |
1932 | Tele-Screen (from After Armageddon by Francis Flagg) A display screen for live events. |
1932 | Bokanovsky's Process (from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) A very early description of cloning. |
1932 | Reaction Pistol (from Martian Guns by Stanley D. Bell) A hand-held device for maneuvering in zero gravity in a space suit. |
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 | 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 | Space-Armor (from Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun) Special shielding worn against rays and explosives. |
1932 | Antigravity (from The Vanguard of Neptune by J.M. Walsh) A force opposed to gravity. |
1932 | Electro-Magnet Anchor (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) Attach a line to a spacecraft hull. |
1932 | Rigid Metallic Clothing (from A Conquest of Two Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) An early exoskeleton. |
1932 | Asteroid Mining (Blasting) (from Asteroid of Gold by Clifford Simak) Setting charges on an asteroid. |
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 | 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 | News-Dispenser (from After Armageddon by Francis Flagg) Audio news ready when you are. |
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 | Battle Sphere (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) An armored space ship using the simplest geometric shape. |
1932 | Electro-Gun (from Pirates of the Gorm by Nat Schachner) It shoots electro-bullets. |
1932 | Torpoon (from Seed of the Arctic Ice by H.G. Winter) Clever portmanteau of "torpedo" and "harpoon", an underwater whaling craft. |
1932 | Atomic Pistol (from Mutiny on Mercury by Clifford Simak) Reduces the target to atomic dust. |
1932 | Super-Photon (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) Three photons in one. |
1932 | Sunward (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) The direction leading toward the center of the solar system. |
1932 | Magnet Grapnel (from The Space Rover by Edwin K. Sloat) Used to pull another vessel closer when boarding in space. |
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 | Flame Projector (from Water-Bound World by Harl Vincent) Handheld device shoots flame. |
1932 | Negrian Death Ray (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) A ray that causes the cessation of life processes. |
1932 | Neo-Crystal (from Master of the Asteroid by Clark Ashton Smith) Unbreakable transparent window material. |
1932 | Sol-Ido (from Water-Bound World by Harl Vincent) The universal language of interplanetary travelers. |
1932 | Hinged Mittens (for Space Suit) (from The Bluff of the Hawk by Anthony Gilmore) Space worthy mittens for space suits. |
1932 | Time-Space Television (from Water-Bound World by Harl Vincent) A device for seeing into the past. |
1932 | Violet Shrink Ray (from The Pygmy Planet by Jack Williamson) A miniaturization ray. |
1932 | Laboratory Planet (from The Pygmy Planet by Jack Williamson) A toy planet created in a laboratory; a fully functional world in miniature. |
1932 | Space Force (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) That branch of the military with a presence outside the atmosphere. |
1932 | Gravity-Plates (from The Bluff of the Hawk by Anthony Gilmore) Reliable, controllable gravity force. |
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 | Space-Drive (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) A means of providing propulsion for a spacecraft. |
1932 | Gravity Beam (from Wandl, The Invader by Ray Cummings) An conical attractive ray, it pulls ships to their doom. |
1932 | Jump (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) Instantaneous movement over vast distances, points many light-years apart. |
1932 | Earth Normal (from The Pygmy Planet by Jack Williamson) Using the earth standard. |
1932 | Telectroscope (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) A much better telescope than yours. |
1932 | Electric Boat (from The Great Drought by S.P. Meek) A surface vessel powered by electricity. |
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 | 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 | Manufactured Planet (from The Heritage of the Earth by Harley S. Aldinger) Is that a moon - or a space station? |
1932 | Spaceship Garden (from The Heritage of the Earth by Harley S. Aldinger) A fully-enclosed garden on a spaceship producing edible foodstuffs. |
1932 | Shock-Rod (from Mechanocracy by Miles J. Breuer) Knock out stick. |
1932 | Automatic Truck (from Mechanocracy by Miles J. Breuer) A cargo-carrying vehicle that autonomously drives to the selected destination. |
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 | Protolectric Gun (from Electronic Siege by John W. Campbell) Fires twin beams of protons and electrons. |
1932 | Landing-Cradle (from The Radium World by Frank K. Kelly) A supporting structure for a space craft landing on a planetary surface. |
1932 | Emergency Space-Suit (from Pirates of the Gorm by Nat Schachner) A compacted space-suit stored for emergency use. |
1932 | Luminous Stake-Markers (from The Radium World by Frank K. Kelly) Illuminated pole designating a staked claim on the surface of a planet, moon or asteroid. |
1932 | Light Beam Propulsion (Light-Ship) (from The Radium World by Frank K. Kelly) Use of brilliant light as motive power for a space ship. |
1932 | Ether-Traffic (from The Duel on the Asteroid by P. Schuyler Miller (w/D. McDermott)) The communications spectrum of the solar system. |
1932 | Daisy Projector (from The Derelicts of Ganymede by John W. Campbell) Beam of energy penetrates the Heaviside layer to enable communication from planet to planet. |
1932 | Intergalactic (from Invaders From The Infinite by John W. Campbell) Going between galaxies. |
1932 | Ostler Insulation Beam (from The Radium World by Frank K. Kelly) A beam of energy stretching from one planet to another that protects space craft from radiation. |
1932 | Rotating Hollow Planetoid Habitat (from Electronic Siege by John W. Campbell) An asteroid (or planetoid) hollowed out, spun for artificial gravity, used as a habitat. |
1933 | Drink the Fungi (from The Three Suns of Ev by Edwin K. Sloat) A method of suicide or criminal punishment involving ingestion of spores. |
1933 | Granton Motor (from Into the Meteorite Orbit by Frank K. Kelly) Spacecraft propulsion system based on gravital radiation. |
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 | Crystal Cylinder Ship (from The Three Suns of Ev by Edwin K. Sloat) A transparent space ship in the shape of a cylinder. |
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 | Meteor Miner (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Someone who roams the solar system, hunting for metal in meteors. |
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 | Spectro-Flash Analysis (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) Device for determining the content of meteorites. |
1933 | Historical Listening Machine (from The Machine That Knew Too Much by A.T. Locke) Device can hear sounds from down through the ages. |
1933 | Helix Gun (from Salvage in Space by Jack Williamson) A device for capturing ferrous meteors. |
1933 | Space-Suit Rockets (from Into the Meteorite Orbit by Frank K. Kelly) Attached rockets allow movement in zero-gee space. |
1933 | Vibratium Wall Time Machine (from Ancestral Voices by Nat Schachner) An element that is unstable in time makes time travel possible and enables the Grandfather Paradox. |
1933 | Iron Man Robot With Human Brain (from Iron Man by Paul Ernst) A huge robot with a tub containing a human brain. |
1933 | Solar-Powered Electric Helicopter (from Into the Meteorite Orbit by James Patrick Kelly) An electric helicopter, with sun cells. |
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 | Spaceways (from Shambleau by C.L. Moore) A set route though space. |
1933 | Seleno-Cosmo-Tel (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Device to automatically avoid asteroids or other bodies. |
1933 | Space Tug (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A small vessel used to maneuver other ships. |
1933 | Cosmo-Craft (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) A spacecraft for traveling through time and space. |
1933 | Anadrenalin (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Has the opposite effect of adrenalin. |
1933 | Corporol (from A Race Through Time by Donald Wandrei) Preserves and maintains the body. |
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 | Ether Boat (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A space craft. |
1933 | Lunar Tunnel (Human Pendulum) (from Captive of the Crater by D.D. Sharp) A tunnel through the center of the moon, and the man who fell through it. |
1933 | Globular Glass Helmet (from Murder on the Asteroid by Eando Binder) A bowl-shaped space helmet. |
1933 | Magnetic Anchor (from Dead Star Station by Jack Williamson) A means of affixing an anchor point on a spacecraft hull. |
1933 | Space-Sailor (from The Star-Roamers by Edmond Hamilton) A spaceman; someone who makes his living by voyaging in space. |
1933 | Belt Automatic-Equalizers (from The Star-Roamers by Edmond Hamilton) The wearer's experience of gravity will be just like Earth's. |
1933 | Tubular Space-Gangway (from The Star-Roamers by Edmond Hamilton) A means of traversing the short distance between two ships in space. |
1933 | Checker-City (from The Star-Roamers by Edmond Hamilton) A city planned as a checker-board of alternating vegetation and buildings. |
1933 | Etheric Propulsion-Vibrations (from The Star-Roamers by Edmond Hamilton) Faster-than-light travel. |
1933 | Transfer Cable (from Dead Star Station by Jack Williamson) Move between two ships in space. |
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. |
1934 | Extradimensional (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) From another dimension. |
1934 | Electro-Telescope (from The Mines of Haldar by Maurice G. Hugi) A device that could clearly image space battles and space ships, even from a great distance. |
1934 | Planetary Propulsion-Blasts (from Thundering Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Devices capable of moving and steering planets to new orbits or new stars. |
1934 | 3D Tank Display (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A transparent cube showing a three-dimensional display. |
1934 | Synthetic Food Dispenser (from Twilight by John W. Campbell) A machine that could make whatever food you wanted from basic elements. |
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 | Cone of Battle (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An offensive formation of space ships providing the ultimate in firepower. |
1934 | Inertialess Drive (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Faster-than-light travel achieved! |
1934 | Machine City (from Twilight by John W. Campbell) A city that is a self-maintaining whole entity. |
1934 | Artificial Planet (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A very large constructed object in space. |
1934 | Lewiston (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Standard blaster pistol with terrifying power. |
1934 | Darkness Bomb (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) A small bulb containing a vapor that causes darkness to occur. |
1934 | Ingestible Communication Capsule (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A tiny transmitter that can be swallowed, which makes possible voice communication. |
1934 | Invisibility Shield (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A means of concealing a physical object to the naked eye. |
1934 | Credit (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) A basic unit of currency. |
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 | 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 | Protective Shield (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An energy shield for one person. |
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 | Electric-Space-Strain Projector (from The Mightiest Machine by John W. Campbell) Device enables the wireless transmission of power. |
1934 | Radio-Dirigible Torpedo (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A drone missile that is controlled remotely by an operator. |
1934 | Baby Robot (from Life Everlasting by David H. Keller) An infant robot. |
1934 | Space Warp (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) The very fabric of space-time. |
1934 | Standish (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A beam weapon of frightful intensity. |
1934 | Ether-Wall (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) An invisibility field. |
1934 | Manual Search For Habitable Planet (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A tedious search for habitable planets by hand. |
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 | Deep-Space (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Typically refers to the vast empty regions of interstellar space. |
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 | Sound-Transposing Machine (from The Lost Language by David H. Keller) A device that scans a printed page and reads it out loud. |
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 | Air-Car (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A personal flying car |
1934 | Platinum Alloy Disc (from Triplanetary by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A silvery disc used for data record storage. |
1934 | Vibrowriter (from The Lost Language by David H. Keller) A device that translated speech and typed it out for you. |
1934 | Penetron (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) A synthetic substance that is opaque unless penetrated by infra-red. |
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 | Communicator (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small device that works to communicate over large distances. |
1934 | Mentanical Communication (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Thinking, learning robots have a special means of communication. |
1934 | Metal Message In Space (from The Menace From Space by John Edwards) A message sent to other worlds, inscribed on metal. |
1934 | Living Machines (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Robots that are able to learn. |
1934 | Stratoplane (from Colossus by Donald Wandrei) An airplane that flies up to the edge of the atmosphere. |
1934 | Hypomatrin (from The Confession of Dr. DeKalb by Stanton A. Coblentz) A spinal anesthetic that allows the reformation of personality. |
1934 | Space Mittens (from Space Flotsam by Raymond Z. Gallun) Protect your hands in space. |
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. |
1934 | Positron Beam (from The Great Thirst by Nat Schachner) Vast numbers of positrons, the antimatter counterpart of the electron, are beamed around the Earth. |
1934 | Invisibility Magnets (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) They can cloak a space ship by bending light around it. |
1934 | Black Cube Teaching Machine (from The Flame From Mars by Jack Williamson) A device that offers recorded images, teaching the user. |
1934 | Wine Pellets (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) Fine wine in convenient, dried form. |
1934 | Silica Sphere (Dyson sphere) (from Lost City of Mars by Harl Vincent) An enclosed environment, excavated on Mars, and then placed into the heavens (it's Phobos) |
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 | Laws Against Human Drivers (from Photo Control by Bernard Brown) The idea that autonomous vehicles should be the only cars on the road, for safety. |
1934 | Aliens Speak English (from The Mines of Haldar by Maurice G. Hugi) The skeleton men of Mercury speak English, but have a good reason for it. |
1934 | Levitators (from Lost City of Mars by Harl Vincent) Allows free flight in the interior volume of a vast sphere in space. |
1934 | Mentanicals (from The Mentanicals by Francis Flagg) Robots capable of mentation - i.e., thought. |
1934 | Impermite (from Redmask of the Outlands by Nat Schachner) A substance that is impervious to penetration. |
1934 | Beam Car (from Lost City of Mars by Harl Vincent) A vehicle like an elevator car, but which travels on a radio and magnetic beam, from the surface of a planet up to a satellite. |
1934 | Glass Pistol (from A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A clear glass gun that fires poisoned splinters. |
1934 | Evacuating Arms (from Space Flotsam by Raymond Z. Gallun) Empty out the contents of an airlock exposed to space. |
1934 | Mutant (from The 100th Generation by Nat Schachner) A new organism resulting from an alteration in the DNA sequence of its genome or chromosome. |
1934 | Out-Worlder (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) A person from another planet. |
1934 | Electron Gun (from The Great Thirst by Nat Schachner) How to add a lot of electrons to a lot of positrons? |
1934 | Needle-Ray (from Skylark of Valeron by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Very thin beam of destruction. |
1934 | Automatic Navigator (from A Matter of Size by Harry Bates) Device steers your spaceship to its destination without additional effort from you. |
1934 | Automatic Parking (from Twilight by John W. Campbell) Vehicle autonomously heads for a public hangar. |
1934 | Gyrocars with Photo-Electric Braking (from Photo Control by Bernard Brown) Force the tires into maximum contact with the road, then use photo-electric sensors to control braking and turns. |
1934 | Healing Crystal (from A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A small object that burns off diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. |
1935 | Driverless Taxi (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) A taxi that does not require a driver. |
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 | Thermlectrium (from Blindness by John W. Campbell) An alloy that turns heat directly into electricity. |
1935 | Floater (Vehicle) (from The Machine by John W. Campbell) A conveyance distinguished primarily by antigravity power. |
1935 | Automatic Toll Payment (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) An automated car that pays its own toll. |
1935 | Flame-Pistol (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Incinerates everything in its path. |
1935 | Transkin (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A hooded protective suit worn on Venus. |
1935 | Mudshoes (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Footgear specialized for the semisolid soil of Venus |
1935 | Thermide (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A chemical which, added to water, boiled and sterilized it instantly. |
1935 | Xixtline (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Venusian drug provides a rejuvenate effect. |
1935 | Automatic Air Mail Plane (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) A pilotless airplane for delivery of cargo. |
1935 | Emotion Meter (from The Emotion Meter by W. Varick Nevins, III) A device for empirically determining human emotion. |
1935 | Doughpot (from Parasite Planet by Stanley G. Weinbaum) A mass of white, dough-like protoplasm, ranging in size from a single cell to perhaps twenty tons of mushy filth. |
1935 | Time Line (from Liners of Time by John Russell Fearn) Time seen linearly, as a distinguishable series of events. |
1935 | Electric Menu (from Liners of Time by John Russell Fearn) Ordering of food is automated, without waiters. |
1935 | Horsten Psychomat (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Re-creates a mental scene for the viewer. |
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 | Magno-Bars (from The Meteor Miners by L.A. Eshbach) Electromagnet-tipped rods used by meteor miners to capture iron-rich asteroids in space. |
1935 | Meteor Swarm Mining (from The Meteor Miners by L.A. Eshbach) A fleet of ships hunting for meteoric iron - in space! |
1935 | Bloodhound Machine (from Crimes of the Year 2000 by Ray Cummings) Could positively identify a person using their scent alone. |
1935 | Magic Spectacles (from Pygmalion's Spectacles by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Very early take on virtual reality hardware. |
1935 | Micro-Telescope (from The Cosmic Pantograph by Edmond Hamilton) An astronomical instrument for looking at objects in a miniature universe. |
1935 | New Suns From Old (from The Cosmic Pantograph by Edmond Hamilton) Creating new stars by crashing together the cinders of dead stars. |
1935 | Subjunctivisor (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Projects a possible future, based on your own impressions. |
1935 | Air-Tight Cities (from The Cosmic Pantograph by Edmond Hamilton) Cities with breathable air constructed on worlds with no atmosphere. |
1935 | Trans-Oceanic Rocket (from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. Weinbaum) Also, a rocket-plane. |
1935 | Micro-Cosmos (Microcosm) (from The Cosmic Pantograph by Edmond Hamilton) The universe in miniature. |
1935 | No Steering Wheel Autonomous Car (from The Living Machine by David H. Keller) An autonomous vehicle without a wheel for human drivers. |
1935 | Conscious Farm Machines (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) Farm machinery that worked on their own. |
1935 | Automated Factory (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) A factory that works entirely automatically, without human guidance. |
1935 | Fruit-Picking Machine (from The Hidden Colony by Otfrid von Hanstein) An humanoid machine for automatic fruit picking. |
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 | Tubular Field of Force (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Can pull an object through space. |
1936 | Android (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) A synthetic being having the form of a human being. |
1936 | Shoggoths (from At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft) Bioengineered creatures, able to change shape, created for labor. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Planetary Engineering (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Remaking or modifying an entire planet. |
1936 | Protective Energy Halo (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that cast a hemisphere of protective beams. |
1936 | Multi-Generation Space Vessel (Generation Ship) (from The Return of the Murians by Nat Schachner) A space ship and voyage intended to last across multiple human generations. |
1936 | Scarab Robot Flying Insect (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) A tiny flying robotic machine, used for surveillance. |
1936 | Desktop Flat Panel Intercom (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) A small desktop screen intercom system. |
1936 | Electronized Gravity Plate (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Artificial gravity for use on space stations and spacecraft. |
1936 | Starways (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) The well-traveled paths from star to star. |
1936 | Probability Time Wave Tube (from Elimination by John W. Campbell) A device that allows the user to see every possible event. |
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 | Wireless Wrist Intercom (from The Shape of Things To Come by H.G. Wells) A portable wireless intercom, worn on the wrist. |
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 | 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 | Radiation Shield (from The Ultimate Weapon by John W. Campbell) A clever use for the water you need to take anyway. |
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 | Dimension Shifting Apparatus (from Cosmic Quest by Edmond Hamilton) Achieves faster than light space travel by moving into a different, parallel dimension. |
1936 | Indoor Weighted Belt (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) Device to stay grounded in low gravity on the Moon. |
1936 | Telespectroscope (from Cosmic Quest by Edmond Hamilton) Device for searching for habitable (Earth-like) planets. |
1936 | Cartograph (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) A device that shows you a record of your travels - a GPS readout. |
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 | 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 | Volplane (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A small vehicle used in transporting people around the moon's surface. |
1936 | Vision Tubes (from The Scarab by Raymond Z. Gallun) Microminaturized vision for UAV's. |
1936 | Atom Compactor (Metal Earthworm) (from Death Dives Deep by Paul Ernst) A tunneling device. |
1936 | Emergency Repulsion (Repulsive Ray) (from Blood of the Moon by Ray Cummings) A beam of force that repels one object from another. |
1936 | Geodynes (from The Cometeers by Jack Williamson) Spacecraft propulsion that pushes against the very fabric of space itself. |
1936 | Wire Gun (from Shadow Gold by Ray Cummings) Shoots a length of constricting wire. |
1936 | Foam Station Sprayer (from Red Storm on Jupiter by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A device that stills the stormy Great Red Spot on Jupiter. |
1936 | Lanson Screen (from The Lanson Screen by Leo Zagat) An elliptical shield of force large enough to enclose a city. |
1936 | Golden Ray of Synchronized Vibrations (from The Return of the Murians by Nat Schachner) Disrupts matter by hurling electrons out of their energy states and scattering them. |
1936 | Violet-Gun (Ion Gun) (from The Brain Stealers of Mars by John W. Campbell) Ultra-violet fury! |
1936 | Husk of an Atom (from The Roaring Blot by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A negative universe substance. |
1936 | Time Loop (from The Time Entity by Eando Binder) A series of events repeats, the stream crosses over itself. |
1936 | Automat (from Mad Robot by Raymond Z. Gallun) Unusual name for an intelligent robot; short for "automaton"? |
1936 | Radiation-Proof Oxygen Suit (from Red Storm on Jupiter by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A specialized space suit for use in radium mining on Jupiter. |
1936 | Jupiter Mining Shoes (from Red Storm on Jupiter by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) Specialized footgear for walking on the Great Red Spot. |
1936 | Electric Tractor (from World of Purple Light by Warner Van Lorne) A farm cultivator that runs entirely on electricity. |
1936 | Sounding Projectile (from Mad Robot by Raymond Z. Gallun) Provides a way to tell whether there’s a soldid surface on a cloudy planet. |
1936 | Molecule Replacement Lamp (from Red Storm on Jupiter by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A means of attaining practical invisibility. |
1936 | Synthetic Intellect (from Mad Robot by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device for providing a robot with intelligence. |
1936 | Emergency Repulsion Ray (from Earth-Venus 12 by Gabriel Wilson) A handheld means of propulsion in space. |
1936 | Nutrient Gelatin Tank (from The Isotope Men by Nat Schachner) Essential hardware for creating a new, improved humanity - isotope men! |
1936 | Teaching Machine (from The Return of the Murians by Nat Schachner) A helmet placed on the head focuses illimitable knowledge into even the head of an earth man. |
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 | Vibration Screen (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) Subtle rays prevent electronic surveillance. |
1937 | Gravity Neutralizing Disks (from Fessenden's Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) Two plates between which Earth's gravitational influence is cancelled out. |
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 | 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 | Groundcar (or Ground Car) (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A non-skimming, non-flying vehicle. |
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 | Blast-Off (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) The act of firing a rocket into space. |
1937 | Concentrated Light (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) Beam of powerfully concentrated light pressure. |
1937 | Sono-Induction Coils (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) A public address system consisting of buried coils. |
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 | Artificial eye (from Galactic Patrol by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A surgically-implanted artificial eyeball. |
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 | Blast Rifle (from Exiles of the Stratosphere by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A gun that creates a short-range energy blast. |
1937 | Miniature Universe (from Fessenden's Worlds by Edmond Hamilton) A microcosmic universe created in the laboratory. |
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 | Automatic Reversed Memory (from Brain Control by Dave Cummins) A device that activates memories and plays them back in reverse order. |
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 the Dusk by Raymond Z. Gallun) Very early reference to the idea of bacteria designed to wipe out a particular species, and no others. |
1937 | Multiple Sample Voice (from The Shining One by Nat Schachner) The use of multiple voice samples to create a single, smoothed voice. |
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 | Proton Pistol (Proton Beam) (from A Menace in Miniature by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that unleashed a 'protonic storm' of energy. |
1937 | Artificial Planet (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) Constructed bodies the size of planets for habitation. |
1937 | Atomic Drill (from Minus Planet by John D. Clark, Ph.D) An atomic-powered auger, for use in drilling deep into planets and asteroids. |
1937 | Near-Space Solar Energy Collectors (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) Generating power from solar radiation closer to the source. |
1937 | Gold-Fish-Bowl World (from Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon) An artificial water planet. |
1937 | Alien Life Form (from The Hothouse Planet by Arthur K. Barnes) Living organisms of non-Earth origin. |
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 | Repulsor Screen (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) Diverts troublesome asteroids. |
1937 | Plani-Glass (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) Transparent and light and has the tensile strength of steel! |
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 | Stratocar (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) A vehicle intended for use in traveling through the upper atmosphere. |
1937 | Photo-Electric Mosaic (from Beyond Which Limits by Nat Schachner) A means of capturing astronomical images. |
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 | Space Laboratory (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) A specialized space station, for scientific research. |
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 | Electelscope (from The Cavern of the Shining Pool by Leo Zagat) Telescope uses electronics applied to optics. |
1937 | Space Dock (from Diamond Planetoid by Gordon A. Giles) Like a port for spacecraft; they can deliver their passengers and cargo. |
1937 | Rocket Tug (from Crystalized Thought by Nat Schachner) The equivalent of a tug boat for space ships. |
1937 | Poldek (from The Saga of Pelican West by Eric Frank Russell) Ability to sense life. |
1937 | Mercy Gas (from The Saga of Pelican West by Eric Frank Russell) Breathe it and die. |
1937 | Robot Dog (from The Iron World by Otis Adelbert Kline) A mechanical, robotic dog. |
1937 | Antron (from Minus Planet by John D. Clark, Ph.D) A single particle of antimatter - an antiproton. |
1937 | Locatimeter (from The Iron World by Otis Adelbert Kline) A method for a plane to know its location over the Earth. |
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 | Radium Salt (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Radioactive materials used as an assassination weapon. |
1938 | Interplanetary Passport (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Required document for space travelers. |
1938 | Beam-Pistol (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld ray gun. |
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 | 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 | Gogglelike Televisors (from The Robot and the Lady by Manly Wade Wellman) A screen technology placed very close to the eyes. |
1938 | Sub-Etheric (from Legion of Time by Jack Williamson) Below the level at which ordinary light is propagated. |
1938 | Cosmic Teletype (from Cosmic Teletype by Carl Jacobi) A device that utilizes the fourth dimensional continuum to achieve communication at great distances. |
1938 | Coronium Ore (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) A radiolite substance to revolutionize industry. |
1938 | Magnetic Flame Gun (from Roamer of the Stars by Clyde Wilson) Device shoots charged positive nuclei. |
1938 | Reversal Coils (from The Infinite Enemy by Jack Williamson) Provide both entry into a negative universe and propulsion. |
1938 | Helen O'Loy (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) A robot is enhanced to offer feelings and affection. |
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 | Robot Emotions (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) Devices or techniques that give rise to emotions in robots. |
1938 | Pneumatic Bumpers (from The Brain Pirates by John W. Campbell) An inflatable bumper system for ground-based motor vehicles. |
1938 | Robot Cook (from Helen O'Loy by Lester del Rey) A household robot that can cook meals. |
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 | Tiny Atomic-Power Drive Unit (from The Brain Pirates by John W. Campbell) A very small power generator that is atomic powered. |
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 | Psychode (from The Infinite Enemy by Jack Williamson) A device that enables communication by thought alone. |
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 | Air-o-Stat (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Provides life-giving air in spacecraft. |
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 | Air-Blanket (from Hollywood on the Moon by Henry Kuttner) A dome-less protective air shield. |
1938 | Preserved Brains (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) Preserving a brain, and then communicating with it. |
1938 | Surface Car (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A specialized vehicle for traveling on a planetary surface. |
1938 | Automatic Commercial Deletion (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Device automatically detects commercials and turns off the set for the duration. |
1938 | Paralysis Ray (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A special ray that produces paralysis. |
1938 | Psychoprobe (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) Get to the truth. |
1938 | Artificial Eye Drone (from Glimpse by Manly Wade Wellman) A remote flying device that transmits its view to the operator. |
1938 | Visi-Screen (from Satellite Five by Arthur K. Barnes) A display device. |
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 | Vacuum-Cupped Sandals (from Voyage 13 by Ray Cummings) Used for walking in weightless environments. |
1938 | Artificially Produced Speech (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) Speech produced by mechanical means, rather than with vocal chords. |
1938 | Atomic Explosive (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A handheld bomb that melted its way into an armored door, then detonated. |
1938 | Lightweight Vacuum Armor (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A simplified space suit, used where conditions were similar to Earth rather than in the more rigorous conditions of space. |
1938 | Proxy Robot (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A remote-controlled floating telepresence robot, for use by aliens who cannot share an atmosphere. |
1938 | Banning Gun (from Voyage 13 by Ray Cummings) Shoots a pencil heat ray. |
1938 | Etherphone Receiver (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A special earpiece to hear coded updates. |
1938 | Transfer Refuge (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A portable environment chamber, able to support unique and different lifeforms. |
1938 | Multispecies Hotel (from Hotel Cosmos by Raymond Z. Gallun) A hotel set up to serve beings from different planets. |
1938 | Chronoscope (from Legion of Time by Jack Williamson) A device used to see into specific internals of time. |
1938 | Helicoptomic (from Ra For The Rajah by John Victor Peterson) A hovering craft used by referees in rocket polo. |
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 | Tractor Boots (from Magician of Dream Valley by Raymond Z. Gallun) Space suit footgear that has atom-driven caterpillar treads. |
1938 | Space-Court (from Murder in the Void by Edmond Hamilton) The place of judgement for crimes committed in interstellar space. |
1938 | Tetrahedron Interference Projector (from The Great Illusion by Will Garth) Projects a field of force around the Solar System, bending the light of stars to make them seem more distant. |
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 | Eros Ship-Planetoid (from The Great Illusion by Will Garth) A vast cylindrical ship, long thought to be a planetoid. |
1938 | Liquid Metal (from The Dual World by Arthur K. Barnes) Metal that can be sprayed on. |
1938 | Emergency Air-Suit (from Voyage 13 by Ray Cummings) A light-duty space suit. |
1938 | Cube Being (from The Infinite Enemy by Jack Williamson) A living being comprised of linked cubes. |
1938 | Basic Robot Personality (from Simultaneous Worlds by Nat Schachner) Providing simple personalities to robots. |
1938 | Robotic Animals (from Reunion on Ganymede by Clifford Simak) Artificial animals created using robotic elements. |
1938 | Time Tunnel (from Rule 18 by Clifford Simak) A gateway into the past. |
1938 | Rocketeering (from Ra For The Rajah by John Victor Peterson) Racing around in rockets |
1938 | Alcatraz of Space (from Reunion on Ganymede by Clifford Simak) A planetoid prison. |
1938 | Buggaroo (from The Secret of the Canali by Clifton B. Kruse) Martian creature for transportation. |
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 | Movie Pill (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) Gives you the experience of having seen a movie. |
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 | Synthetic Spider Silk (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Artificial fabric thread as strong as steel. |
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 | 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 | Hand-Jetting (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) Making use of hand-held rockets or other reaction devices to move through space. |
1939 | Microsurgery Tool (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) Miniaturized device for surgical precision. |
1939 | Ultra-Vibrator (from Into Another Dimension by Maurice Duclos) Transports objects into another dimension through intense vibration. |
1939 | Permalloy (from Fugitives From Earth by Nelson S. Bond) Protects ships from the hazards of space. |
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 | Gravitic (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) Relating to gravity. |
1939 | Inertia Tank (from Masson's Secret by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that protected its delicate contents by cushioning. |
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 | Space Marines (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) A space-based military force. |
1939 | Solar-Powered Robot (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) A robot powered by sunlight. |
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 | Visual Pattern Recognition (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) A robot's ability to respond to programmed visual stimulus |
1939 | Radio-Facsimile Receiver (from Ben Gleed, King of Speed by Don Wilcox) A device that prints a newspaper in your home. |
1939 | Shock Hammock (from Habit by Lester del Rey) Special netting oriented for pilots in high gee spacecraft. |
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 | Move an Asteroid (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Using practical techniques to change the orbit of an asteroid or small moon. |
1939 | Smoke Filter (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Allows grizzled spacemen to smoke in space ships. |
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 | Thermalite (from Planet of Eternal Night by John W. Campbell) A transparent material that allows almost no heat to escape. |
1939 | Force-Screen (from The Dweller in Outer Darkness by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) A variation on the force shield idea. |
1939 | Ultraset (Ultrawave Set) (from Habit by Lester del Rey) A device that used ultrawave faster-than-light (FTL) communication. |
1939 | Spacedog (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) Experienced hands on space ships. |
1939 | Extraecliptic Travel Lanes (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) Organized interplanetary travel using routes not confined to the ecliptic. |
1939 | Killer Robot (from Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam) An autonomous robot made for the express purpose of killing living creatures. |
1939 | Acceleration Hammock (from Pioneer - 1957 by Henry Gade) Webbing used to cushion acceleration in spacecraft. |
1939 | Durite (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Super-strong material used to counter reaction-blasts. |
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 | Space-Post (from Episode On Dhee Minor by Harry Walton) A trading post in space. |
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 | Manmade Black Hole (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Using the power of a hole in the continuum. |
1939 | Metalite (from Black Destroyer by A.E. van Vogt) Strong metal you can see through. |
1939 | Geofractor Shield (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Protects the bearer against unwanted geofractor use. |
1939 | Anti-Acceleration Engine For Space Suits (from Black Destroyer by A.E. van Vogt) Counteracts the effects of high acceleration. |
1939 | Geofractor (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Device provides instantaneous teleportation of selected objects over vast distances. |
1939 | Hall of Euthanasia (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A place for (mostly) voluntary suicide. |
1939 | Floating Spherical Pool (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Control of gravity permits mid-air pools of water. |
1939 | Orbiting Casino Advertising Sign (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) The mightiest billboard in the Solar System! |
1939 | Vortex Gun (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A device that projects whirling fields of atomic instability. |
1939 | Atomic Torch (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) An atomic-powered cutting and welding tool. |
1939 | Outbound Interplanetary Traffic (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) The rules of the spacelanes. |
1939 | Visiwave (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) Even faster than ultrawave! a means of instantaneous communication over lightyear distances. |
1939 | Asteroid Prison (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) A jail is the sole occupant of an asteroid. |
1939 | Pleasure Planet (from After World's End by Jack Williamson) A vast world devoted to enjoyment. |
1939 | Geopeller (from One Against The Legion by Jack Williamson) An atomic powered, miniaturized means of propulsion. |
1939 | Cosmic Storm (from After World's End by Jack Williamson) A vast tempest in space! |
1939 | Space Charts (from After World's End by Jack Williamson) A pictorial representation of suns in space. |
1939 | Space-Contraction Drive (from After World's End by Jack Williamson) Slip through endless interstellar space by making the distance smaller. |
1939 | Directed Cars in Tunnels (from The Lord of Tranerica by Stanton A. Coblentz) Self-driving vehicles. |
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 | Portable Atomic Heater (from Misfit by Robert Heinlein) Compact source of energy. |
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 | Electrical Valet (from The Lord of Tranerica by Stanton A. Coblentz) A robotic manservant, skilled in dressing its owner. |
1939 | Transparent Car Roof (from Sinister Barrier by Eric Frank Russell) You can see through the roof of the car. |
1939 | Identification Ring (from Sinister Barrier by Eric Frank Russell) An apparently ordinary ring, which minutely describes and identifies its wearer. |
1939 | Stereoscopic Vernier and Cube (from Sinister Barrier by Eric Frank Russell) A means of photographing in depth. |
1939 | Etheric Typhoon (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) The idea that space itself can have disturbances. |
1939 | Telescribe (from A Question of Salvage by Malcolm Jameson) Creates a written record of distress signals and other reports. |
1939 | Robot Surgery (from Secret of the Buried City by John Russell Fearn) Robots operate an advance operating theater. |
1939 | Automatic Delivery Library (from The Lord of Tranerica by Stanton A. Coblentz) A library able to deliver any volume within a few moments. |
1939 | Meteoric Dust Cloud (from Secret of the Buried City by John Russell Fearn) A vast cloud in space, through which the solar system moved for a decade. |
1939 | Polyceltron Iconoscope Televisor (from Newscast by Harl Vincent) A portable camera and microphone setup that could broadcast on-the-spot news. |
1939 | Mechanical Judge (from The Lord of Tranerica by Stanton A. Coblentz) A device that makes legal decisions. |
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 | Escape Port (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) Emergency egress from a space ship for one person. |
1940 | Hyperbolic Solenoid (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Device that creates and manipulates magnetic fields. |
1940 | Methuen Treatment (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Injections that increase intelligence. |
1940 | Neutronium Slippers (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) Special footgear to keep ones footing in lower gravities. |
1940 | Atom-Gun (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld device that sprays atomic fire. |
1940 | Telelubricator (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Makes any surface or substance perfectly frictionless. |
1940 | Gesturing Robot (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) A robot that uses gestures to communicate. |
1940 | Talking Robot (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) An impractical robot, for display only. |
1940 | Solid Power (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A concentrated form of easily accessed energy to supply any need. |
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 | Conversion Gun (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) The ray converts the heat in an object to light. |
1940 | Solar Reception Screen (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A device for converting sunlight to electricity |
1940 | Rolling Road (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A set of fast-moving strips to move people over distances. |
1940 | Paralysis Bomb (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A device like a hand grenade that released paralyzing radiation. |
1940 | Atomic Blast Weapon (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Reduces the target to atoms. |
1940 | Paralyzing Gun (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Renders senseless any human in its path. |
1940 | Asbestos Sunshade (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) A means of shielding oneself from the sun's rays. |
1940 | Refreshing Chamber (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Replaces the bathroom in the future history of Robert Heinlein. |
1940 | Soft Speaker (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A device that sends a tightly-controlled beam of sound. |
1940 | Iridium-Sponge Brain (from Adam Link's Vengeance by Eando Binder) A human-like metal brain for robots. |
1940 | Moon Skis (from Requiem by Robert Heinlein) Special wide skis for travel on lunar powder. |
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 | Barrier (Force Field) (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Force-field fence. |
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 | Trumpaphone (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A loud, brassy instrument. |
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 | Vibroblade (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A knife-like weapon. |
1940 | Slow Glass Rod (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A transparent glass rod that makes light travel so slowly that it can trap light within its depths. |
1940 | Tumblebug (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A monocycle; a motorcycle that balances on a single wheel. |
1940 | Hush-a-Phone (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A special kind of telephone that reduced noise while talking. |
1940 | Knockdown Cabin (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) A portable shelter; had solid walls and could be assembled quickly. |
1940 | Electro-Automatic Pistol (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Circular, pocket-sized weapon. |
1940 | Atomic Automatic (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Fires a special, rocket-like bullet. |
1940 | Space Tramp (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An old, slow spacecraft. |
1940 | Life-Ship (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An emergency escape or survival craft. |
1940 | Pocket-Caller (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Private communication device that fits in your pocket. |
1940 | Silk-Metal (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A very tough fabric. |
1940 | Telechronometer (from Blowups Happen by Robert Heinlein) A watch that synchronizes itself to a remote source. |
1940 | Radium-Action Lighter (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A personal device used to ignite tobacco products. |
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 | Gravitational Disks (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Maintain your footing on those low-gravity celestial bodies. |
1940 | Synthetic Personality (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A artificial identity, a legal fiction of a person. |
1940 | Tectogenetic (from Crisis in Utopia by Norman L. Knight) Deliberate manipulation of genes to produce unique species. |
1940 | Ferretscope (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A counter-surveillance tool to detect the presence of listening devices. |
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 | Tesseract House (from -And He Built A Crooked House by Robert Heinlein) A house built in the shape of a four-dimensional figure. |
1940 | Air Blast (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) An air dryer for personal use. |
1940 | Two-Wheeled Car (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A small passenger vehicle with two centerline wheels. |
1940 | Robbie (from Robbie by Isaac Asimov) A childcare robot. |
1940 | Solar Station Switch Room (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) A power station for the entire solar system. |
1940 | San-Ray Projector (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) Device produces a habit-forming, nerve-tingling ray that clouds the mind. |
1940 | Dream-Adventures (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Dreams sent directly to the brain are more popular than movies. |
1940 | Dream-Machine (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) The mechanism that sent standardized dreams into the brain. |
1940 | Planetary ID Card (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Identification for every person on every planet in the solar system. |
1940 | Bifocal TV Screen Lenses (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Using the bottom lens of bifocals as a TV screen. |
1940 | Planetfall (from Quicksands of Youthwardness by Malcolm Jameson) Making a landing on a planet from space. |
1940 | Voder (from Exit From Asteroid 60 by D.L. James) Device that produces speech by purely mechanical means. |
1940 | Hydroponics (from The Hydroponic Monster by Maria Moravsky) Growing food without soil, typically from water saturated with nutrients. |
1940 | Floating Villa (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) An artificial island several acres in extent. |
1940 | Dream-House (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) An establishment wherein one could find the finest dream adventures placed in his own mind. |
1940 | Death-Capsule (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) A tiny implanted explosive capsule can be activated remotely. |
1940 | Stratospheric Traffic (from The Great God Awto by Clark Ashton Smith) Bad traffic at every level. |
1940 | Double-Pane Vacuum Window (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Double-pane glass separated by vacuum. |
1940 | Test Box (from The Devil's Pocket by F.E. Hardart) A remote-controlled device for capturing small objects from open space. |
1940 | Vacuum Wall Compartments (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Shielding against heat by using walls with evacuated sections. |
1940 | Autosight Achronic Beam (from Hindsight by Jack Williamson) A range-finder for weaponry that isn't limited by time, for the ultimate in accuracy. |
1940 | Humanoid (from Homo Sol by Isaac Asimov) An alien with a human-like shape and appearance. |
1940 | Air Scooter (from Space Double by Nat Schachner) A flying personal vehicle. |
1940 | Cyclotronic Ore-Hurler (from Exit From Asteroid 60 by D.L. James) Using the magnetic properties of an asteroid to send ore hurling across space! |
1940 | Synthetic Flesh (from The Amazon Fights Again by Thornton Ayre) Material resembles human flesh, handy for disguises. |
1940 | Synthetic Voice (from The Amazon Fights Again by Thornton Ayre) Artificial human speech. |
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 | Darkened Glass Face Plate (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) The use of darkened glass on the face plate of a space suit helmet to protect the wearer from solar radiation. |
1941 | Momentum Screen (from Completely Automatic by Theodore Sturgeon) Allows a spacemen to avoid the problem of "high gee" forces on take-off. |
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 | Space Placers (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Miners who use placer mining techniques adapted from Earth geology. |
1941 | Vanwinkling (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) Another name for time-traveling into the future. |
1941 | Space Lawyer (Sky-Lawyer) (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) A lawyer with special knowledge of space law. |
1941 | Pseudogravity (from Common Sense by Robert Heinlein) Gravity produced by artifice, rather than by a suitably large mass. |
1941 | Paralyzing Eye (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) False eye contains mechanism for causing brief paralysis. |
1941 | Psychophone (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) A device that allows the user to tune their mind to a future reality - a time-traveling device. |
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 | Epileptigenic Ray (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Ray causes uncontrollable spasms in human subjects. |
1941 | Robopark (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated parking garage. |
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 | Blastick (from The Traitor by Kurt von Rachen) A scorching beam weapon |
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 | Dewlog (from The Traitor by Kurt von Rachen) A drug with the side-effect of virtually eliminating hunger. |
1941 | Space Tanned (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A tan acquired by being exposed to sunlight while outside the atmosphere. |
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 | Robot Mother (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) A self-replicating robot, which creates a series of helper bots that adapt to conditions as needed. |
1941 | A-Bomb (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Abbreviation for "atomic bomb". |
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 | Solar Energy Beam (from Masquerade by Clifford Simak) A solar energy plant on Mercury provides power for projects all over the solar system. |
1941 | Charted Planetoid Mines (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Charting the planetoids and minor bodies for mining purposes. |
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 | Antigrav Boots (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Footgear that negate gravity. |
1941 | Howard Families (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A project designed to produce a group of people with exceptionally long life. |
1941 | Metal Solvent Ray Thrower (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Acts like a flame thrower in space. |
1941 | Joy-boat Junior (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A private space yacht, capable of suborbital journeys. |
1941 | Golden Shuttles (Mechanical Mice) (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) Very small robots with an appetite for watch parts. |
1941 | Fresher (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Short for "refreshing chamber,", it is the future of personal hygiene technology. |
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 | Space Legs (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) The ability to walk under high gee acceleration on a space ship. |
1941 | Neoterics (from Microcosmic God by Theodore Sturgeon) Pure engineering genius on tap. |
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 | Flitter (from Vortex Blaster by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small craft used for short-range journeys. |
1941 | Positronic Brain (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) A computer CPU with the capacity to rival a human brain. |
1941 | Cold-Sleep (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A state of hibernation, created by lowered temperature and metabolism. |
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 | 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 | Interplanetary Union Of Spacemen (from Old Fireball by Nat Schachner) An organized union of people who work in space. |
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 | 'Chatterbox' News-Receptor (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An appliance for listening to the news that lacked content controls. |
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 | Automated Hotel Reservation (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A hotel that did not use clerks; a self-service hotel. |
1941 | Slidewalk (from Sanity by Fritz Leiber) A moving sidewalk; a conveyor belt for people. |
1941 | Self-Lighting Cigarette (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A cigarette with a matchhead built in. |
1941 | Improve Memory (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Help immortals make sense of their memories. |
1941 | Energy Weapon (from Seesaw by A.E. van Vogt) A device that fires pure energy, used as a weapon. |
1941 | Mind Control Genetically Modified Food (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Plants that are modified to produce specific combinations of flavors. |
1941 | Disinto (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A disintegrating ray. |
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 | Controlway (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated highway system that takes full operational control of vehicles traveling upon it. |
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 | 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 | Talking Speedometer (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) A gauge that tells you its value verbally |
1941 | Bee Wing (from Slacker's Paradise by Malcolm Jameson) A flapping wing aircraft in use on Mars. |
1941 | Magnetic Sandals (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Special footgear to walk in zero-gee spacecraft. |
1941 | Sleep Surrogate (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Pharmaceutical designed to make up for lost sleep. |
1941 | Weather Integrator (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An entire technology for controlling the weather. |
1941 | Lunar Used Spacecraft Lot (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A sales lot for used spacecraft |
1941 | Hypnotic injunction (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A method of hypnosis that prevents people from revealing particular information. |
1941 | Space Tunnel (from The Man Who Bought Mars by Polton Cross) An enclosed gang plank extended between space ships. |
1941 | Space Socks (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Protective garments for the lower extremities. |
1941 | Robotics (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) The engineering field encompassing the creation and maintenance of robots. |
1941 | Sweep Field (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Pulls in interplanetary matter for space ship propulsion. |
1941 | Time Line (from Time Wants A Skeleton by Ross Rocklynne) The sequence of events leading up to, and past, this moment. |
1941 | Bone Conduction Receiver (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) A concealed radio receiver. |
1941 | Visible Halo (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Providing a religious figure with a technological sign of grace. |
1941 | Solar Car (from The Man Who Bought Mars by Polton Cross) A car the energy for which comes from the sun. |
1941 | Floating Robot (from The Floating Robot by David Wright O'Brien) A robot that floats in mid-air. |
1941 | Charging Arm (from Masters of Chance by William Morrison) A specialized device allowing a robot to charge itself. |
1941 | Asteroid Lanes (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Regular routes traversed by asteroids. |
1941 | Anti-Robot Propaganda (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) Human activity against robots. |
1941 | Robot Music (from The Robot God by Ray Cummings) Music created and performed entirely by robots. |
1941 | Spacehound (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Oddly canine, telepathic beast digs in asteroids for metal. |
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 | Squeaker (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Used to search out radium in asteroids. |
1941 | Interplanetary Clearance (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Bureaucratic red tape associated with busy space ports. |
1941 | Identification Beacon (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Radio pulse to identify orbiting craft. |
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 | Moon-Terror (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) A syndrome common to people who live in less than half Earth-normal gravity. |
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 | Hypnosis Ray (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) Eases the words of dictators into the minds of the credulous. |
1941 | Quench Field (from The Purple Light by E. Waldo Hunter) Stopped runaway nuclear reactions by quenching the cascades of neutrons. |
1941 | Geodesic Inflexors (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Propulsion provided not by pushing against matter, but against spacetime. |
1941 | Automatic Refueling Screen (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Repels objects that are too big, and gathers small ones for fuel. |
1941 | Chardion Field (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Electronic 'envelope' that retained atmosphere on tiny worldlets. |
1941 | Hell-Stone (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) An incomparably beautiful and rare jewel. |
1941 | Sleep Destroying Field (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Causes lack of sleep. |
1941 | Space Rush (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) The Outer Space equivalent of the gold rush. |
1941 | Psycho-History (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) The application of psychology to historical data. |
1941 | Roboticist (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A person who creates or works with robots. |
1941 | Wall Screen (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) A large size display for video, anchored to a wall, or actually forming the wall itself. |
1941 | Atmospherics Switchboard (from Lie on the Beam by John Victor Peterson) Make sure each hotel room has the right atmosphere from the right planet. |
1942 | Gravanol (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) A medicine or supplement that helps astronauts deal better with high accelerations. |
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 | Vac Suit (from Child of the Sun by Leigh Brackett) A space suit, designed for use in vacuum. |
1942 | Space Tugs (from Describe a Circle by Eric Frank Russell) Early use of familiar ocean vehicle in space. |
1942 | Telaudiogram (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) An interplanetary communication method. |
1942 | Capillotomer (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automatic shaving machine |
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 | Wheelchair Space Station (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A home in space. |
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 | Time Dredge (from Time Dredge by Robert Arthur) A device that scoops up material from the past, and returns it to the present. |
1942 | 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. |
1942 | Broomstick Speedster (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A two-seater craft capable of spaceflight; it used radiant power to achieve orbit. |
1942 | Control Natural (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A person who is allowed to have an unmodified genetic makeup. |
1942 | Directrix Z9M9Z (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A control center ship for a vast space armada. |
1942 | Zero-G Ashtray (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) An ashtray designed for use on a space station. |
1942 | Interplanetary Communications Center (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) The backbone for a solar system-wide communications system. |
1942 | Slideway (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A slidewalk, or moving walkway, that moves people forward. |
1942 | Atomics (from Nerves by Lester del Rey) The field of nuclear energy. |
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 | The Twonky (from The Twonky by Lewis Padgett) A robotic device from the future, constructed to look like a 1940's radio cabinet. |
1942 | Wabbler (from The Wabbler by Murray Leinster) An autonomous underwater robot. |
1942 | Three Laws of Robotics (Rules of Robotics) (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) The original formulation of Asimov's laws of robotics. |
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 | Waldo (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A telefactoring device; also known as the Waldo F. Jones Synchronous Reduplicating Pantograph. |
1942 | Radiant Power Receptor (DeKalbs) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A device which received and used energy transmitted from a station or satellite. |
1942 | Insosuit (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) A space suit specially designed to resist extreme heat. |
1942 | Black Coating (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A material that absorbs practically all incident light. |
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 | Radiation Garment (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Clothing worn by ordinary citizens to reduce the risk of radiation exposure. |
1942 | Electric Wall (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) A wall of electric force. |
1942 | Groundhog (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Not a space professional. |
1942 | Martian Sawgrass (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) Specialized variety of plant that is used to provide oxygen for space stations. |
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 | 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 | Auto-Clerk (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automated accounting system. |
1942 | Thermodyne Heat Ray (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) Device focuses, and projects, a heat beam. |
1942 | Xenephrene Interstellar World (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) A planet not attached to a solar system. |
1942 | Space-Burned (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Analogous to sun-burned. |
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 | Paragravity (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Artificial gravity. |
1942 | Pilot-Robot (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) The piloting gear of a space tug. |
1942 | Plastifoam (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Used to seal large leaks in space craft. |
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. |
1942 | Thermalarm Relays (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Detects objects by their heat radiation, so space craft can maneuver around them. |
1942 | Negative Safety-Field (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A paragravity-based shield for space craft. |
1942 | Igloo-Shaped Space Shelter (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Easy to set up on airless asteroids. |
1942 | Seetee Blinker (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A marker of contraterrene matter (antimatter) asteroids, to aid in interplanetary navigation. |
1942 | Dirigible Space Armor (Working Space Suits) (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Heavy-duty space suits for mining work on asteroids. |
1942 | Asterite (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A person who was born and lived amongst the asteroids. |
1942 | Fairy Digits (Tiny Waldoes) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Waldoes used for very fine work. |
1942 | Antigravity Plate (Antigravity Raft) (from Co-Operate or Else by A.E. van Vogt) A thin, circular craft that floats. |
1942 | Fire Storm (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) When clouds of antimatter dust encountered ordinary matter spaceships. |
1942 | Contraterrene Matter (Antimatter) (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Contraterrene (CT) Matter (sometimes abbreviated "Seetee"). |
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 | Pain Canopy (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Pain by nerve induction improves interrogation. |
1943 | Force Pencil (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Device straps to forearm, projects a force beam. |
1943 | Usuform Robot (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A robot designed strictly along functional lines. |
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 | Meteor-Spotting Radar (from Recoil by George O. Smith) A device to warn spacecraft of oncoming meteors. |
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 | Royalties For Machine Learning Subjects (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A payment to people who are used as subjects for imitation learning by robots. |
1943 | Visigraphic Crowd Emotional Record (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A graphic record of the emotions of a crowd. |
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 | Inviolability Field (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A kind of field of force built into a robe, to protect an individual person. |
1943 | Plastibulb (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) A squeezable drink container. |
1943 | Off-World (from Judgement Night by C.L. Moore) Not of Earth. |
1943 | Deceleration Chambers (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) Stressed, the ship breaks apart into parts that may survive. |
1943 | Solidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Long distance projection of three-dimensional images. |
1943 | Personality Alteration (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Permanent alternation of personality, the tools of the trade. |
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 | Treatment of Extramundane Aborigines (from Symbiotica by Eric Frank Russell) Laws for aliens on their own planet. |
1943 | Vastening (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) It's hard to describe, but it's a robotic sense perception. |
1943 | Sea Robot (from The Metal Monster (Jarvis) by E.K. Jarvis) An enormous robot able to function in the ocean. |
1943 | Polyfrequency Neutralizer (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Dissolves projected solidographs (holograms). |
1943 | Mixed Men (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A mostly human being, but with an additional robot brain. |
1943 | Aladur (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) High tensile strength, lightweight material. |
1943 | Airpolo (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) Polo played in mid-air with special aircraft and helium-filled balls. |
1943 | Rocketeer (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A person who pilots rockets. |
1943 | Durasteel (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) More durable than steel? |
1943 | Space Cadet (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A young person training to be a spaceman. |
1943 | Flame Barrier (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A form of protective force field. |
1943 | Stratoyacht (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A privately-owned pleasure craft capable of attaining orbit. |
1943 | Space Weather Map (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A map that details hazardous space conditions. |
1943 | Filmag (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A video magazine. |
1943 | Telesolidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Projects three-dimensional images at great distances. |
1943 | Coldlight (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A means of producing illumination that does not produce heat. |
1943 | Manshell (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A spaceship large enough for just one man; also an escape pod. |
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 | Gum Tree (from Symbiotica by Eric Frank Russell) A huge tree that lashed out with a mind of its own. |
1943 | Pneumo-Slacks (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) Pants that make you look beefier. |
1944 | Gravitics (from Tricky Tonnage by Malcolm Jameson) The science of using gravity as a technology. |
1944 | Relations with Extraterrestrial Life (from Ogre by Clifford Simak) Instructions to earth citizens on how to behave when encountering alien civilizations. |
1944 | Asteroid Mining Robot (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous robot able to effectively mine asteroids. |
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 | Star Base (from Star Base X by R.M. Williams) An installation or station at an important interstellar location. |
1944 | Energy Screen (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) A field of force. |
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 | 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 | Robot Lawn Mower (from City by Clifford Simak) An automated lawn mower. |
1944 | Robotic Arm (from City by Clifford Simak) A specialized robotic reaching and grasping device. |
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 | Suit-Radio (from The Long Way by George O. Smith) A means of communication between two individuals clad in space suits. |
1944 | Automatic Massager (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) An autonomous massage machine with robotic arms and hands. |
1944 | Battle Integrator (from The Bureaucrat by Malcolm Jameson) A three-dimensional representation of warfare in space. |
1944 | Solar Beam (from The Long Way by George O. Smith) Obtaining solar power by means of a direct connection with the sun. |
1944 | Hollow Asteroid (from Juke Box Asteroid by Joseph Farrell) An asteroid that has been hollowed out for use as a space habitat. |
1944 | Rust Ray Pistol (from Gambler’s Asteroid by Manly Wade Wellman) Makes the hardest steel or iron crumbly. |
1944 | Turnover (from Off the Beam by George O. Smith) The point in a torchship's trajectory when it must flip over and point its fiery tail toward its destination to decelerate. |
1944 | Mal de Void (from Off the Beam by George O. Smith) Literally, space sick. |
1944 | Gyrocar Monorail (from The Anarch by Malcolm Jameson) A self-balancing vehicle. |
1945 | Games Machine (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A vast computer system. |
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 | 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 | Plastic Constructor (3D Printer) (from Things Pass By by Murray Leinster) A 3D printer - for spaceships. |
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 | 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. |
1945 | Cosmoquake (from Things Pass By by Murray Leinster) Gravity waves ripple across the solar system. |
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 | Star Travel (from Forgotten World by Edmond Hamilton) Undertaking a journey between the stars. |
1946 | Mining Worm (Robot) (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) An autonomous mining robot shaped like a worm. |
1946 | Pocket Universe (from Pocket Universes by Murray Leinster) A created, separate space within the normal space of the universe. |
1946 | Gravity Port (from Shadow Over Venus by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) Used for refueling. |
1946 | Asteroid Mine (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) The practice of seeking out and mining asteroids for their ore. |
1946 | Tanks (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) Device that provides mass storage of information. |
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 | 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 | Plastic Igloo (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) A heavy plastic shelter for use in airless environments. |
1946 | Robot Bus (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) An autonomous vehicle to transport groups of people. |
1946 | Spotcast (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) A new form of one-to-many communication. |
1946 | Wandering Sunless Planet (from Dead Hand by Isaac Asimov) A planet that is not bound to a star. |
1946 | Roboticist (from Evidence by Isaac Asimov) A person who works on robots. |
1946 | Robot Cat (from The Cat and the King by Raymond F. Jones) A biological feline with mechanical parts. |
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 | Planet-Smasher (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Devices capable of destroying an entire planet. |
1947 | Synchrophased Power Beams (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Focuses energy beams from multiple planets on the same object. |
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 | 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 | Gravitic Generator (from Meddler's Moon by George O. Smith) A device that produces an artificial gravity field. |
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 | Prime Directive (from With Folded Hands by Jack Williamson) The first and most important rule; usually protective. |
1947 | Self-Opening Box (from Child's Play by William Tenn) Don't show this to Apple. |
1947 | Space-Dory (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) A small spacecraft sometimes used as a life boat. |
1947 | Asteroid Nets (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) Capturing small asteroids or fragments using rocket nets. |
1947 | Space-Split (from The Star of Life by Edmond Hamilton) Access to other dimensions provided by splitting space itself. |
1947 | Vitalizer (from The Soma Racks by Margaret St. Clair) Tired? Try Henderson's Vitalizer! |
1947 | Machine Servant (from The Star of Life by Edmond Hamilton) A wheeled plastic box with universal-joint arms. |
1948 | Speakwrite (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A dictation machine that also transcribes the speech into typed words. |
1948 | Precog (v) (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) To see the future. |
1948 | Portable Telephone (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) The essence of a cell phone. |
1948 | Star Drive (from Genius by Poul Anderson) The propulsion unit for an interstellar space craft. |
1948 | Crimestop (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) The faculty of stopping short, as though by instict, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. |
1948 | Microwavable Food (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Food that is prepared specifically for use in a microwave (high-frequency) oven. |
1948 | High-Frequency Oven (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) This describes the essence of a microwave. |
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 | Moonbase (or Moon Base) (from 240,000 Miles Straight Up by L. Ron Hubbard) A base of operations on Earth's moon. |
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 | Atmospheric Braking (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Using a planet's atmosphere to gradually decelerate a spacecraft. |
1948 | Memory Hole (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A receptacle for unwanted documents. |
1948 | Learning-Cap (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) A special metal helmet for electro-education. |
1948 | Moonquake-Proof Habitats (from Gentlemen, Be Seated by Robert Heinlein) Moonbases that are built to withstand quakes on the Moon. |
1948 | Solidograph-Projector (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) A device that projected a 3D image of objects or a person. |
1948 | Space Ark (from Decision Illogical by N.B. Wilkinson) A very large ship used to transport a large group of people. |
1948 | Telescreen (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) Very early use of the idea of using technology to monitor human activity at a distance. |
1948 | Doublethink (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A mental discipline that is an exact contradiction to the basic principles of scientific inquiry. |
1948 | Rewriting History (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) Use of sophisticated technology to continuously rewrite the historical record. |
1948 | Novel-Writing Machines (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A device that automatically produces fiction. |
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 | Personal Rocket Jet (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) A small, handheld jet pack that can be used to maneuver freely in space. |
1948 | Versificator (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A device that composes words to music. |
1949 | Spacewarp Drive (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A means of faster-than-light travel. |
1949 | Skimmer (from Lost Ulysses by W.L. Bade) Low-flying, hovering vehicle. |
1949 | Repulsor (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A device that inhibits the action of a spacewarp drive. |
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 | Quizzer (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) An autonomous mind-probe. |
1949 | Stationary Automatic Blaster (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) An automated defensive blaster. |
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 | Gee (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) Using the standard letter designation in physics for gravity. |
1949 | Mind-Parasite (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Takes over the cognition of a host organism. |
1949 | 'Fresher (from Gulf by Robert Heinlein) Short for 'refreshing chamber', a device that performs various personal services. |
1949 | Visiglobe (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A display that provided a spherical, 3D visualization of a scene. |
1949 | Desert Cabbage (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) A giant plant that regulates its internal temperature even on Mars. |
1949 | Emergency Treatment Tank (Chamber) (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A fully enclosed regeneration device. |
1949 | Telepath Transmitter (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A device for long distance communication that makes use of telepathy. |
1949 | Synthetigrav (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) General term for any of the fields produced by synthetic gravity devices. |
1949 | Fluor Strips (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) Lighting long narrow devices. |
1949 | Robot Introspection (from Unforeseen by Roger P. Graham) A robotic brain grows and learns about itself. |
1949 | Bolt Anti-Grav (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) This device produces a torus-shaped discharge that causes weightlessness. |
1949 | Shari (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) A multipurpose net worn as clothing. |
1949 | Space Scurvy (Kenoalgia) (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) A wasting disease of space travel. |
1949 | Painted Respirator Masks (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) Children choose to decorate otherwise uniform equipment masks. |
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 | Self-Igniter (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A self-lighting cigarette. |
1949 | Bubble Armor Space Suit (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Steel bubble-shaped space suit. |
1949 | Plastiskin (from Unforeseen by Roger P. Graham) Artificial human skin to cover prosthetics. |
1949 | Resilian (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A natural fiber that is as strong as steel. |
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 | Repair Robots (from The Well-Oiled Machine by H.B. Fyfe) Autonomous robots that carry out maintenance functions on a space ship. |
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 | Underpeople (from The Ballad of Lost C'Mell by Cordwainer Smith) An animal modified to be human in shape and intellect. |
1950 | Helicab (from Heli-Cab Hack by John Weston) A taxi cab that flies using helicopter rotors. |
1950 | Shuttle (from Stars are Styx by Theodore Sturgeon) A space craft that travels point to point in space. |
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 | 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 | Fontema (from First Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A strange two 'wheeled' animal. |
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 | Mass-Conversion Ship (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A spacecraft that uses the ultimate in fuel sources. |
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 | Anti-Tri-D Shot (from The Morning of the Day They Did It by E.B. White) Counteracts the deadly pesticide Tri-D. |
1950 | Culture Tank (from Needle by Hal Clement) Germs that eat garbage and produce oil. |
1950 | Voice-Clock (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A clock that could state the time out loud. |
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 | Tractatruck (from The Moon is Hell by John W. Campbell) Combination tractor and truck used for hauling and exploration. |
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 | Robot Mice (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) Tiny cleaning robots. |
1950 | Quickthaw (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A microwave oven to heat food items quickly. |
1950 | Gravity Drive (from Star Ship by Poul Anderson) A spaceship propulsion method that uses gravity or gravity waves. |
1950 | Walker Wagon (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) Robotic vehicle with a trough-like body and many mechanical legs. |
1950 | Computer-Controlled House (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A residence that is an autonomous robotic system. |
1950 | Haberman (from Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith) Modified humans controlled by cybernetic implants. |
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 | Sand Ship (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A wind-powered vehicle in the desert. |
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 | Robotic Dishwasher (from The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury) A fully automated solution to the dishwashing problem. |
1950 | Two-Wheeled Ground Car (from First Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A gyro-stabilized vehicle like an enclosed motorcycle. |
1950 | Syntho-Steak (from Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) Artificially produced meat. |
1950 | FTL (from The Enchanted Forest by Fritz Leiber) Abbreviation for "faster than light". |
1950 | Hive-Mind (from Second Night of Summer by James Schmitz) A group mind. |
1950 | Earther (from The Five Gold Bands by Jack Vance) A person born on planet Earth. |
1950 | Shipboard Medical Treatment (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) An elaborate system to guard against infection in returning space explorers. |
1950 | Nucleocat Cureall (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) Only human cells can survive contact. |
1950 | Water From Lunar Gypsum (from The Moon is Hell by John W. Campbell) Extracting water (and therefore oxygen, by electrolysis) from apparently dry lunar material. |
1950 | Regeneration Tank (from Contagion by Katherine MacLean) A nutrient bath large enough to enclose a person that preserved life and treated disease. |
1951 | Mechanical Teacher (from The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov) A computer device able to teach children. |
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 | Static Field (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A defense against a spy beam. |
1951 | Spy Beam (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A surveillance device that projects energy into a room, revealing conversation taking place. |
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 | Spinning Pressurized Drum (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) Put a spin on just a part of a space station. |
1951 | Guided Missile Control Station (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An orbital missile base. |
1951 | Space Transfer Station (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An orbiting space station primarily used as a stepping-off point from Earth. |
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 | Molecule Matrix (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) Storing information in individual molecules and atoms. |
1951 | Plasto-Textile (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A fabric that cannot be stained. |
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 | Martian Perambulator (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A mechanized transport for heavy gravity environments for beings born in lower gravity environments. |
1951 | Telebook (from The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov) A book made available in text on a television screen. |
1951 | Jump Through Hyperspace (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Device that makes faster-than-light travel possible. |
1951 | Negative Molecular Motion (from The Universe Between by Alan E. Nourse) A state of matter that has a temperature below absolute zero. |
1951 | Flying Saucer (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) Spacecraft flown by the androgynes of Titan - under control of the Puppetmasters. |
1951 | Nuclear Shears (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Device uses nuclear power to accomplish basic shop tasks. |
1951 | Half-Sphere Force Field (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A protective force field that can manifest even as a half-sphere. |
1951 | Microwire (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A very thin wire used for recording purposes. |
1951 | Personal Capsule (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) An impenetrable device containing information for your eyes only. |
1951 | Suction Mail Tube (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An evacuated tube system carrying mail to residences. |
1951 | Surrogate Skin (from The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein) False skin that is sprayed onto damaged areas. |
1951 | Butler-Valet Robot (from The Jester by William Tenn) A gentleman's servant, roboticized. |
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 | Anti-Spying Device (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Foolproof means of defending against spy beams. |
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 | Asteroid Garden (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) A method for building a greenhouse on a small, airless body. |
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 | Airtight Tent (from Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun) A temporary structure for living on an airless moon or asteroid. |
1951 | Autocab (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) An fully automated taxi cab. |
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 | Metal Foil Advertisement (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An advertising circular made out of metal. |
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 | Pail of Air (from A Pail of Air by Fritz Leiber) A small bucket filled with (liquid) air. |
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 | Gravitic Repulsion Elevator (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) The elevator was of the new sort that ran by gravitic repulsion. |
1951 | Security Restraint Field (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A force field that restricts personal movement. |
1951 | Odorophonics (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) A system capable of reproducing selected scents capable of fooling the human nervous system. |
1951 | Happylife Home (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) An automated multi-media home, which provided the good life to its inhabitants. |
1951 | Dominator (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Device implants a psychological block. |
1951 | Ontogenetic Adaptation (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Immediate genetic-level ability to eat alien plants. |
1951 | Zag House (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) A means of implanting dreams. |
1951 | Dirt-Farming (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) An archaic method of food production. |
1951 | Mentophone (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) A device that facilitates long-distance telepathy. |
1951 | Calculator Pad (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Used to make psychohistoric calculations |
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 | Self-Adjusting Furniture (from First He Died (Time and Again) by Clifford Simak) Automatic adjustment for a perfect fit. |
1951 | Agricultural World (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Planet set aside for the production of food for another world. |
1951 | Robot Comedian (from The Jester by William Tenn) Joke-telling feature added to a standard butler robot. |
1951 | Flavor-Fix Rheostat (from The Jester by William Tenn) Technology makes sure that the flavor of automatically-produced food is perfect. |
1951 | Vocalex Kitchen (from The Jester by William Tenn) Voice command automatic kitchen. |
1951 | Teledar (from The Jester by William Tenn) Three-dimensional television. |
1951 | Finger Watch (from Key Decision by H.B. Fyfe) A ring that contains a working timepiece and a display. |
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 | Variable Modifier (from The Jester by William Tenn) Provides the capability of altering standard jokes to fit new circumstances. |
1951 | Pocket Nucleo-Bulb (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A nuclear-powered pocket-sized flashlight. |
1951 | Helmet-Mounted Display Screen (from Rock Diver by Harry Harrison) A small electronic display mounted for easy viewing. |
1951 | Neuronic Whip (from The Stars, Like Dust by Isaac Asimov) A weapon that stimulated the nerve endings to cause extreme discomfort. |
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 | Genetic Engineering (from Dragon's Island by Jack Williamson) Direct manipulation of genetic material |
1951 | Trantor (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A city that covers the entire surface of the planet. |
1951 | Ultrawave Relay or Hyperwave Relay (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Instantaneous, faster-than-light communication system. |
1951 | Vat Meat (Albert) (from The End of the Line by James Schmitz) Meat grown in a vat. |
1951 | Psychohistory (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Branch of mathematics describes the behavior of human beings en masses. |
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 | Robass (from The Quest for Saint Aquin by Anthony Boucher) A robotic beast of burden. |
1951 | Force-Field Penknife (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A pocket-sized knife, the blade of which is a force-field. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Coffee Cube (from The Marching Morons by C.M. Kornbluth) Concentrated coffee that boils itself! |
1951 | Air Speedster (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Highly maneuverable air vehicle for hunting. |
1951 | Ultra-Light (from Rock Diver by Harry Harrison) Allows the user to see into rock or other solid matter. |
1951 | Planetruck (from The Slave Ship to Andrigo by Ross Rocklynne) Huge vehicle for planetary surface transport. |
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. |
1951 | Single Vehicle Tunnel (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A small diameter tunnel that accepts a single vehicle to a single destination. |
1951 | Suspensine (from Duel on Syrtis by Poul Anderson) Slows biological functions enough to survive in airless space - for a time. |
1951 | Booklegger (from Between Planets by Robert Heinlein) A smuggler of books. |
1951 | Oxygen Concentrator (from Duel on Syrtis by Poul Anderson) Gathers oxygen from a thin atmosphere until it is breathable, supporting life. |
1951 | Sun-Room (from Foundation by Isaac Asimov) On a planet-wide city, the only way to get some sun without going to the roof. |
1951 | Oxygen Weeds (from The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke) Plants that create oxygen on a planet with little breathable air. |
1951 | Sun Dome (from The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury) Used on Venus to give relief from the endless rain. |
1952 | Hypnoteleset (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A device that guarantees quick, surrogate sleep. |
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 | Free Robot (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A robot without a master. |
1952 | Plasticocoon (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) Holds a prisoner motionless. |
1952 | Airjeep (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A small military air vehicle. |
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 | 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 | Contragravity Suit (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A suit with antigravity. |
1952 | Water Bulb (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A zero-gee dispenser of liquids. |
1952 | Coffiest (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) It's coffee that you can't live without. |
1952 | Self-Repairing Robot (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) A mechanism that can detect faults in itself and repair them. |
1952 | Airplane Window Ads (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) An airplane window that allows you to - see advertisements! |
1952 | Psychic Probe (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A device capable of discerning truthful information in a living human brain. |
1952 | Levitating Path (from A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury) Anti-gravity metal used to make a floating walkway. |
1952 | Chlorella Plantation (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A skyscraper designed for food production. |
1952 | Animal-tissue Culture Vat (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) A means of producing artificial meat for food. |
1952 | Triple Airlock (from Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper) Special device to protect against extremely corrosive atmospheres. |
1952 | Toaster (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) A handheld beam weapon. |
1952 | Gravital Unit (from Accidental Flight by W.F. Wallace) Device that maintains Earth-comparable gravity on an asteroid. |
1952 | Stun Pistol (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A hand-held device that causes unconsciousness. |
1952 | Recorded Books (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) Electronically recorded books. |
1952 | Pocket Projector (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A personal device for replaying media. |
1952 | Water Bulb (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A zero-g way to enjoy water. |
1952 | Panatrope (from Surface Tension by James Blish) A device that modifies human dna to ensure survival in harsh alien environments. |
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 | Tourist Rocket (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A cheap, unpleasant way to do space travel. |
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 | Chicken Little (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) Very early reference to meat grown in a vat for food. |
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 | Barytrine Field (from Troubled Star by George O. Smith) Very large scale stasis field. |
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 | Flat Cat (from The Rolling Stones by Robert Heinlein) A nearly two-dimensional furry little beast. |
1952 | Personal Solar Plant (from Ring Around the Sun by Clifford Simak) A single-home solar-powered energy source. |
1952 | Tiny Nuclear Generator (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A complete nuclear-based generator of power no bigger than a walnut. |
1952 | Solar-powered Prefab House (from Ring Around the Sun by Clifford Simak) A pre-built house that can live off the grid. |
1952 | Kite-Copter Car (from The Kokod Warriors by Jack Vance) An observation car suspended below a device that supplies lift. |
1952 | Hydropathic bed (from The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester) A heated bed that used something more comfortable than water. |
1952 | Lunocycle (Lunar Bicycle) (from The Rolling Stones by Robert Heinlein) A bicycle specially adapted for lunar travel. |
1952 | Broomstick (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) Device to ease movement in a zero-gravity environment. |
1952 | Wall-Light (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) The walls of a room provide illumination. |
1952 | Flavor-Capsule (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A small pill used to turn ordinary water into a flavored beverage. |
1952 | Monoline (from Big Planet by Jack Vance) A wind-driven overland transport. |
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 | Gas Giant (from Solar Plexus by James Blish) Large planet consisting primarily of gas with a solid core. |
1952 | Retinal Projection (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A method for projecting advertisements directly on the retina. |
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 | 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 | Automatic Pilot (from The Space Merchants by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) A device to control the movement of aircraft using computer components. |
1952 | Automated Wake-Up Call (from The Kokod Warriors by Jack Vance) A device that provides automated wake-up calls. |
1952 | Nuclear-Field Depressor (from Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov) A device that causes nuclear-powered devices to stop working. |
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 | 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 | Spray-On Gloves (from Abercrombie Station by Jack Vance) Fashionable evening gloves that are sprayed onto the hand and arm. |
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 | Tree-Grown Wood (from Gravy Planet by Frederik Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)) The natural product, obtained by cutting down a living tree. |
1952 | Robodore (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A robot specialized for use as a stevedore, emptying the contents of ships in port. |
1952 | Space-Weather Men (from Revenge of the Robots by Lawrence Chandler) Predictors of the 'weather' in space. |
1952 | Law of Contact (from Orphans of the Void by Orville Shaara) Non-interference in the development of other worlds. |
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 | Vision Strip (from Orphans of the Void by Orville Shaara) A circular vision strip for robots. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Robot Strike (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) When robots refuse to work. |
1952 | Lead-Bodied Android (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) A robot designed for use in the nuclear industry. |
1952 | Leak Disk (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) Simple device to temporarily close a leak in a spacecraft. |
1952 | Robot Manumission (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) The freeing of a robotic being from a state of being owned property. |
1952 | Flesh Men (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) Thinking beings that are not mechanical robots - human beings. |
1952 | Zero 'g' (Zero Gee) (from Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke) In a ship in orbit, in free fall. |
1952 | Esper (from The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester) A person to perceive the contents of another person's mind. |
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 | Droid (First Use) (from Robots of the World! Arise! by Mari Wolf) Contraction of "android". |
1952 | Robot Ramp (from Robot Unwanted by Daniel Keyes) A special means of ingress and egress solely for use by mechanical help. |
1952 | Self-Maintaining Circuit Monitoring and Repair (from Gramp and his Dog by Frank Quattrocchi) A computer that monitors itself for repair. |
1952 | Analogue Treatment (from Ticket to Anywhere by Damon Knight) Hypnotic drug treatment that normalizes behavior in humans. |
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 | 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 | Rolov (from Roll Out the Rolov! by Christopher Anvil) A specialized robot for the bedroom. |
1953 | Space Wagon (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) A space vehicle without a cabin, used for short-range towing. |
1953 | Worldcraft Bubble (from The Trouble With Bubbles by Philip K. Dick) An incredibly detailed mechanical simulation of a world. |
1953 | Dressing Machine (from Roll Out the Rolov! by Christopher Anvil) A robotic device to serve as a mechanical dresser. |
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 | Legislation Analyzer (from The Trouble With Bubbles by Philip K. Dick) Device analyzes potentially biased bills. |
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 | Zero-G Cups (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Cups that were specially designed to be usable under zero gravity conditions. |
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 | Pinlight (from The Game of Rat and Dragon by Cordwainer Smith) Thimble-sized photonuclear bomb. |
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 | Planoforming (from The Game of Rat and Dragon by Cordwainer Smith) A form of "faster than light" travel allows for interstellar travel. |
1953 | Mechanical Hound (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) An eight-legged robotic "hound" with hypodermic poison fangs. |
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 | Yeast-Culture Vats (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) Using cultured yeast as the basis for food production. |
1953 | Merc-Pool (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) A device that stores information in vibration patterns on a mercury surface. |
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 | 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 | Green Bullet (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) A very compact (for 1950) radio transceiver, worn in the ear like a hearing aid. |
1953 | The Shed (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Enormous building needed to assemble giant space craft or space stations. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 Pianist (from Virtuoso by Herbert Goldstone) A robot learns the fine art of playing classical music on the piano. |
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 | 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 | Inflatable Air Lock (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Air lock making use of inflatable side walls to achieve large size. |
1953 | Magnetic-Soled Shoes (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) A means of walking on a surface in zero gravity. |
1953 | Pushpot (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) An independent rocket motor that can attach itself to an object bound for space. |
1953 | Garbage Screen (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Use of bits of metal to confuse radar targeting of space stations. |
1953 | Short-Wave Surgical Knife (from Boomerang by Eric Frank Russell) A means of performing an internal cut without breaking the skin. |
1953 | Hypertracer (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A device that allows a pursuer to follow a spaceship through hyperspace. |
1953 | Sliver Gun (from The Unreliable Perfumist by Margaret St. Clair) A firearm that shoots fine darts. |
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 | Robot Door (from Colony by Philip K. Dick) Automated door has some decision-making capabilities, in addition to speech recognition capabilities. |
1953 | R. Daneel Olivaw (from Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov) A human-like robot, skilled in police work. |
1953 | Homeostatic Newspaper (from If There Were No Benny Cemoli by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous news-gathering and publishing entity; abbreviated as homeopape. |
1953 | Lens Image (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A presentation of the night sky, calculated for any planet or point in space. |
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 | Stardrive (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) Propulsion method that quickly brings a ship's speed to nearly that of light. |
1953 | Robot Psyche Tester (from Colony by Philip K. Dick) An automated psychiatric evaluation device. |
1953 | Ring Road (from Starman Jones by Robert Heinlein) A magnetically levitated train. |
1953 | News Receptor (from If There Were No Benny Cemoli by Philip K. Dick) Devices used by homeostatic newspapers to gather news autonomically. |
1953 | Claws (Attack Robot) (from Second Variety by Philip K. Dick) Autonomous guard robots that attack living tissue. |
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 | Voice-Activated Door (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) A door that opens upon verbal command. |
1953 | Morality Rating-Computer (from Assignment to Aldebaran by Kendall Foster Crossen) A computer system able to determine moral deviancy. |
1953 | Automatic Ticket Machine (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) Get your ticket to Trantor automatically. |
1953 | 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. |
1953 | Transcriber (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A automated transcriptionist - a machine which perfectly translates human speech into words on paper. |
1953 | Space Weakness (from Space Tug by Murray Leinster) Early description of what happens to the human body in zero gravity. |
1953 | Permanent Skywriting (from Soap Opera by Alan Nelson) Non-wispy skywriting letters. |
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 | Voice in the Ear (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) Project a voice or sound to one individual's ears only. |
1953 | Private Flyer (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) A privately-owned air vehicle that used no control surfaces for maneuvering. |
1953 | Control Screen (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) An alien display device. |
1953 | Planetary Globe (from Star of Wonder by Julian May) A craftsman's model of a planet. |
1953 | Self-Sufficient House (from Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke) A single family residence that required no surrounding infrastructure. |
1953 | Robant (from The Impossible Planet by Philip K. Dick) A robotic servant. |
1953 | City Ship (from Star of Wonder by Julian May) A generation ship, a spacecraft that carries a people to another star. |
1953 | Torchship (from Sky Lift by Robert Heinlein) A spaceship capable of high acceleration. |
1953 | Travel-Rug (from Roll Out The Rolov! by Christopher Anvil) A rug that conveyed you around your house. |
1953 | Space Phobia (from Let 'em Breathe Space! by Lester del Rey) When astronauts have had enough. |
1953 | Visicastor (from Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov) A person who presents video broadcasts. |
1953 | Galactic Damping Field (from Brain Wave by Poul Anderson) A vast field of force emanating from the center of the galaxy. |
1953 | Buy-Me-Discs (from Captive Audience by Anne Warren Griffith) Tiny disks attached to products in stores that received transmitted ads to share with consumers. |
1953 | Robotic Conductor (from Paycheck by Philip K. Dick) A robot charged with conductor's duties aboard a bus or other public transportation. |
1953 | Synthony (from The Music Master by F.L. Wallace) A musical performance by robots. |
1953 | Buttered Toast Robot (from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury) What it says on the tin. |
1953 | Plasta-Skin (from Star Rangers (The Last Planet) by Andre Norton) Artificial Skin |
1953 | Robotaxi (from Dugal Was A Spaceman by Joe Gibson) A fully automated, driverless taxi. |
1953 | Self-Cleaning Autonomous Car (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An automatic vehicle that keeps itself clean. |
1953 | Automatobile (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous private car. |
1953 | Sub-C (from The Impossible Planet by Philip K. Dick) Of ships, older models that travel at speeds below that of light. |
1953 | Automatobus (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous or self-driving bus seating a number of people. |
1953 | Positronic Motor (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) A combination of motor and brain; an engine with a cerebellum and a carburetor. |
1953 | Leady (from The Defenders by Philip K. Dick) A radiation-resistant robot. |
1953 | Master Ventriloquism Corporation (MV) (from Captive Audience by Anne Warren Griffith) A central source of product advertising, commercials sent out to every product. |
1953 | Dirtside (from Starman Jones by Robert Heinlein) The surface of a planet. |
1953 | Autonomous Car Intercommunication (from Sally by Isaac Asimov) Automatic cars talk to each other about everything. |
1953 | Earplug Decision (Restraint of Advertising) (from Captive Audience by Anne Warren Griffith) A Supreme Court judgement that declared that earplugs used to block advertising were unconstitutional. |
1953 | Time Scoop (from Paycheck by Philip K. Dick) Retrieved objects from other points in time. |
1953 | Paint-to-Order Robot Artist (from The Music Master by F.L. Wallace) A robotic mechanism that could produce a unique picture, given subject and artistic style. |
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. |
1954 | Synapsis-Coils (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) Human-like storage for computers. |
1954 | Suit-Shield Fabric (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) A kind of mesh fabric that could absorb energy bolts. |
1954 | Nanomachine Swarm (Black Cloud) (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) A cloud of tiny machines, able to work together autonomously. |
1954 | Anti-Gerasone (from Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) Cheap immortality comes to your neighborhood convenience store. |
1954 | Metal Insects (from The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem) Small autonomous flying winged robots. |
1954 | Shatter-Gun (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A hand-held device that literally scrambles the brains of the victim. |
1954 | Guide-Beam (from Time Pawn by Philip K. Dick) A wireless means of controlling and directing the movement of a passenger vehicle. |
1954 | One-Way Passage (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A different way to assure permanent egress. |
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 | Prethink (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) The ability to predict the future in a routine perceptual manner. |
1954 | Cephaloscope (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A device used to detect lying. |
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 | Lash-Tube (from The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick) Device emits an energy beam. |
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 | Space Capsule (from Space Capsule by E.R. James) A minimal space craft. |
1954 | Retinal Vid-Screen (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A tiny display surgically implanted directly in the retina of the eye. |
1954 | Sales Robot (Robot Salesman) (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) Fully automated robots giving untiring, incessant sales pitches to customers. |
1954 | Airmakers (from The Big Rain by Poul Anderson) Machine to create breathable air from the constituent materials on an alien planet. |
1954 | Spacelanes Traffic Jam (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) Fanciful description of commuters in space. |
1954 | Dermal-Mist Spray (from Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick) Very refreshing for suburbanites. |
1954 | Jiffi-scuttler (from Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick) A device providing near instantaneous travel between two points. |
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 | Robot Cab Driver (from A Present for Pat by Philip K. Dick) You think you have problems? Robots have the worst problems of anyone. |
1954 | Pod-Chair (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A living chair, grown by the Iszc to perform its function. |
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 | Automatic Companion Robot (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A robotic replacement for a pet or friend. |
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 | Law Clerk Robot (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A robotic lawyer. |
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 | House Trees (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Living trees grown as houses; large hollow pods serve as living spaces. |
1954 | Boat-Tree (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A tree, the pods of which can be grown as boats. |
1954 | Self-Selling Robot (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A robot that sells itself. |
1954 | Mechanical Bride (from The Mechanical Bride by Fritz Leiber) A perfect robotic replica of a woman. |
1954 | Feeler-Planes (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Special sensors that make extremely detailed three-dimensional models. |
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 Shield (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A device that would effectively prevent an implanted radiant from being detected or read. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Human Quarter (from James P. Crow by Philip K. Dick) A ghetto for human beings; in this case, in a world of robots. |
1954 | Mecho-Clothing (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) Apparel created entirely by machines. |
1954 | Robot Guard (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) Very early reference to a guard robot. |
1954 | Robot Farmer (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) A humanoid robot used for agriculture. |
1954 | Trace Web (from Souvenir by Philip K. Dick) A small, handheld device that contacts (and even instantiates) the larger network. |
1954 | Visual Ad (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) An advertisement that forces its way directly into the brain of the viewer. |
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 | Mother-Scanner (from The Turning Wheel by Philip K. Dick) A device that can see your future through your next birth. |
1954 | Mechanical Tune-Maker (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) An electromechanical device that created unique music. |
1954 | Copter Harness (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A single person flying machine. |
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 | Histo-Research (from The Meddler by Philip K. Dick) Historical research using a time machine. |
1954 | Plastirobe (from Sales Pitch by Philip K. Dick) A dress that varies in opacity by distance. |
1954 | Truth Meter (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A lie detector. |
1954 | Universal Dictionary (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A machine that provided references to anything known. |
1954 | The Dip (from The Meddler by Philip K. Dick) A device that randomly dredges up things from the past... or the future. |
1954 | Sceneshifter (from Last of the Masters by Philip K. Dick) An automated display device that produced random pictorial presentations. |
1954 | Reading Plate (from The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein) A flat screen that provided computer output for viewing. |
1954 | Spaceward Lunar Hemisphere (from Dawn of the Demigods by Raymond Z. Gallun) Another name for the lunar far side. |
1954 | Temporal Paradox (from The Toy by Brian Berry) The paradoxical idea that making changes in the past results in changes in the present. |
1954 | Maid-Robot (from The Midas Plague by Frederik Pohl) A mechanical automaton does the work of a lady's maid. |
1954 | Voicewriter Screen (Computer Monitor) (from Granny Won't Knit by Theodore Sturgeon) A screen that displays characters. |
1954 | Polarized Window (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Rather than curtains, use the window to control the light. |
1954 | Protoplast (from Dawn of the Demigods by Raymond Z. Gallun) Artificial life, tougher than protoplasm. |
1954 | Rom (Robot Operated Missiles) (from Breakfast at Twilight by Philip K. Dick) Intercontinental robotic weapons. |
1954 | One-Man Car (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) A small transport vehicle. |
1954 | Public Vehicle Tube (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Underground transportation tubes. |
1954 | Finger Jet Bath (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) The ultimate in luxury tubs. |
1954 | Roboscribe (from End as a Robot by Richard Marsten) A robotic writer of hard-bitten detective yarns. |
1954 | Time Quake (from Breakfast at Twilight by Philip K. Dick) Too much energy applied to a time-fault may have started this. |
1954 | Thought Pattern Divination (from The Houses of Iszm by Jack Vance) Attempting to construct the thoughts of a person by imitating their actions. |
1954 | Escape Pod (from The Vanisher by Michael Shaara) A small automated ship attached to a larger ship or station, used in the event of an emergency. |
1954 | Control Helmet (from Dawn of the Demigods by Raymond Z. Gallun) Direct control of a robot from the brain. |
1954 | Solar-Powered Ball (from Dawn of the Demigods by Raymond Z. Gallun) An autonomous round toy that powers itself. |
1954 | Snake Boring Truck (from Breakfast at Twilight by Philip K. Dick) A long thin truck like a snake, with a boring tip. |
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 | Neck-Phone (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) An implanted telecommunications device. |
1955 | Commute Disk (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) Flying autonomous commuter vehicle. |
1955 | Automatized Factory (from The Tunnel Under The World by Frederik Pohl) A factory consisting of machines with imposed human abilities. |
1955 | Simulacrum Window (from Tunnel in the Sky by Robert Heinlein) A 'window' that provides a realistic outdoor view in an interior room. |
1955 | Autofac (Nanorobots) (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Very small robots working on self-replication |
1955 | Central City (Lunar Habitat) (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) An early example of a non-military lunar habitat. |
1955 | Swibble (from Service Call by Philip K. Dick) An artificially evolved telepathic metazoan-based mind control device. |
1955 | Aircab (from Time Crime by H. Beam Piper) A flying autonomous taxi cab. |
1955 | Robot Gardener (from War Veteran by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous gardening robot, taking care of plants in parks or fields. |
1955 | Generation Ship (from Star Ship by E.C. Tubb) A spacecraft that carries a complete social group over many years. |
1955 | Light-Absorbing Paint (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) Space stealth! |
1955 | Space Craft Rope Ladder (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) Equipment used for debarking from a space craft. |
1955 | Monocab (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A single compartment monorail car. |
1955 | Bore-Pellets (from Foster, You're Dead by Philip K. Dick) Anti-underground bomb shelter ordinance. |
1955 | Scout-Base (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) Artificial sphere functions as a frontier outpost. |
1955 | Lunar Monorail (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A monorail constructed above the surface of the Moon. |
1955 | Schrieber Analyzer (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) Superior automatic air testing - for the discriminating space traveler. |
1955 | Diabological Armory (from Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell) A set of verbal tools based on a higher form of reasoning. |
1955 | Artigraft (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Artificial skin graft. |
1955 | Stiletto Beam (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) A beam of molten metal, projected electromagnetically. |
1955 | Nanny Robot (from Nanny by Philip K. Dick) A child-care robot with a surprisingly competitive side. |
1955 | Robot Taxi (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A taxicab with a robotic driver. |
1955 | Magnetic Grapple-Beams (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Short range magnetic field to guide flying cars and park them properly. |
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 | Protine (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A mutant algae that can be engineered to look and taste similar to normal food. |
1955 | Human Habit Pattern Machines (from The Tunnel Under The World by Frederik Pohl) Imposing human habits onto machines. |
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 | Hand Wave Control (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) Control an electronic or other device with gestures. |
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 | Guard Robot (from The Hood Maker ('Immunity') by Philip K. Dick) Early reference to a robot performing the functions of a security guard. |
1955 | Multivac (from Franchise by Isaac Asimov) A computer with millions of facts. |
1955 | Agile Recording Robot (from Solar Lottery by Philip K. Dick) A recording machine that moves toward its subject. |
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 | Unit Analyst Robot (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) A robotic psychoanalyst. |
1955 | Dashboard TV (from The Chromium Fence by Philip K. Dick) A television placed in the dashboard of your car or similar vehicle. |
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 | Mechanical Newsmachine (from Foster, You're Dead by Philip K. Dick) An automated device that delivers on-the-spot news. |
1955 | Anti-Burglar Installations (from The Angry House by Richard R. Smith) Every electronic house should have automated defenses. |
1955 | Raw Material-Tropic (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Moves towards desirable raw materials. |
1955 | Synthetic Milk (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) Milk made without cows. |
1955 | Robot Factory Representative (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An ambulatory agent of an automatic factory. |
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 | Autonomous Truck (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) A truck that drives itself and unloads itself. |
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 | Automatic Ore Cart (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous truck for raw ore processing. |
1955 | Pocket Receiver (from The Magellanic Cloud by Stanislaw Lem) An early visualization of the smartphone. |
1955 | Product Prescription (from The Magellanic Cloud by Stanislaw Lem) A file that can be used to reproduce an object. |
1955 | Mechavalet (from The Angry House by Richard R. Smith) An entirely automated dressing assistant. |
1955 | Slide Rule w/Radio Attachment (from Mission to the Stars by A.E. van Vogt) Slide rule communicates results immediately with computer. |
1955 | Finely Divided Dust Propellant (from Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke) Reaction mass to drive spacecraft. |
1955 | Search-Bug (from Autofac by Philip K. Dick) An exploratory robot. |
1955 | Trion Library (from The Magellanic Cloud by Stanislaw Lem) An early visualization of the Internet. |
1956 | Hired Girl Robot (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) The amazing floor-cleaning robot! |
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 | Robotic Hand (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) A dexterous manipulator for robots. |
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 | Flexible Frank (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) An all-purpose household robot. |
1956 | Robot Bartender (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) An automated, mechanical bar tending robot. |
1956 | Empath (from Empath by J.T. McIntosh) A being capable of telepathic empathy with others. |
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 | Solido (from Chance of a Lifetime by Milton Lesser) Abbr. for solidograph; a device that produced a solid three dimensional image. |
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 | 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 | Drafting Dan (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) The first computer software drafting program (Computer Aided Design - CAD). |
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 | Eetee (E.T - extraterrestrial) (from Double Star by Robert Heinlein) A sentient being not of this Earth. |
1956 | Eager Beaver (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Your friendly robot helper. |
1956 | Precog (from The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick) A person with precognitive ability (can predict the future). |
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 | Planet-Busting Bomb (from Testing by J.J. Ferrat) A munition with sufficient power to destroy an entire planet. |
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 | Window-Willie (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) A robot that cleaned windows by electrostatic repulsion of dust and grime. |
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 | Sargasso Asteroid (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A planetoid built from natural rock and the salvaged wreckage of space craft. |
1956 | Internal Body Power Pack (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A tiny battery used to power implants. |
1956 | Central Computer (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) A computer capable of running an entire city. |
1956 | Dental Switchboard (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A control device tied in with teeth and nerve endings. |
1956 | Saga (from The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke) You become a part of the great adventures of history. |
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 | Human Object Recognition (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) System uses human beings as an aid to robotic object recognition. |
1956 | Undercover Detective Robot (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Specialized robot masquerades as different robot types to spy on criminals. |
1956 | Blue Collar Robot (Self-Repairing) (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) An autonomous robot required to find its own work. |
1956 | Stasis (Cold Sleep, Hibernation) (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Hibernation for human beings, lasting for many years. |
1956 | PyrE (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A thermonuclear explosive that is detonated by thought alone. |
1956 | Post-Crime (from The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick) Criminal activities after they have actually happened. |
1956 | Anti-Heptant (from To Live Forever by Jack Vance) A compound that erases specific areas of the brain. |
1956 | Slug (from Dragon in the Sea by Frank Herbert) An underwater "barge", consisting of a giant tube for transporting oil. |
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 | Biltong Life Form (from Pay for the Printer by Philip K. Dick) Remarkable organic manufacturing aliens, probably indigenous to the Centaurus system. |
1956 | Disposal-Safe (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Device to store and, if necessary, destroy documents. |
1956 | Bug (from Brightside Crossing by Alan E. Nourse) A compact vehicle for planetary surfaces - like Mercury. |
1956 | Intelligent Trash Sorting (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Robots sort the garbage - almost completely. |
1956 | Regen-Buds (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Small collection of cells that can regrow into human limbs. |
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 | 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 | Mutated Kodiak Bears (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) Animals modified for increased intelligence for defense and companionship. |
1956 | Robot Trash Collectors (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) Robots that drive and operate garbage trucks. |
1956 | Hand Computer (from The Dead Past by Isaac Asimov) A small pocket-sized computing device. |
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 | Electrotruck (from The Corkscrew of Space by Poul Anderson) An autonomous, electric truck. |
1956 | Juvenile (from The Man Who Japed by Philip K. Dick) A robot designed to sneak around and spy on people. |
1956 | Alcoholic Reliever (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Mechanized relief from alcoholism. |
1956 | Rex Regenerator (Mechanotherapist) (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Mechanotherapy device cures homicidal urges. |
1956 | Home Therapy Appliances, Inc. (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) A store at which a variety of therapy devices are made available |
1956 | Landing-Grid (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) A designated landing area on a planetary surface for space craft. |
1956 | Whisper Line (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A means of communication between prisoners held in wide separation. |
1956 | Retinal Light (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) An internal flashlight. |
1956 | Mechanical Jokester (from Jokester by Isaac Asimov) A vast computer system learns about humor. |
1956 | Thorsen Memory Tube (from The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein) Computer component that allows a machine to learn through experience. |
1956 | Planet Rules (from Drop Dead by Clifford Simak) Regulations governing the behavior of the away team on a new planet. |
1956 | Floating Lunar Dust (from Dust Rag by Hal Clement) Electrostatically charged particles that float above the surface of the Moon. |
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 | Mechanotherapy (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) A mechanism or device-based therapy that cures (or palliates) alcoholism. |
1956 | Bendix Anxiety Reducer (from Bad Medicine by Robert Sheckley) Machine-based psychotherapy. |
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 | Eagle With Camera (from Exploration Team by Murray Leinster) A live bald eagle equipped with a transmitting camera. |
1956 | Fusion Power (from The Judas Valley by Gerald Vance) Creating energy from nuclear fusion reactions. |
1956 | Trolling Tether Cable (from Atom Drive by Charles Fontenay) Simple fishing technique applied to moving cargo off-planet. |
1956 | Underwater Robot (from The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison) An autonomous mechanical for use underwater. |
1956 | Landing Pit (Drydock and Construction) (from The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester) A cylindrical hole with anti-gravity screens for use in spacecraft landings and repair. |
1956 | Hypersee (from The Best of Fences by Gordon Randall Garrett) Faster than light. |
1956 | Chronoscopy (from The Dead Past by Isaac Asimov) Using a device to view different points in time. |
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. |
1956 | Robot Fish (Metal Fish) (from Atom Drive by Charles Fontenay) Fake flounders for sport fishermen on Martian canals. |
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 | Police Detection Robot (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) An automated evidence-gathering robot. |
1957 | Robot Situation Neurosis (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) Robots go mad when given competing instructions. |
1957 | Remote Control Taxicab (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A cab that is piloted by a remote operator. |
1957 | Death-Rattle (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A device that sends a signal upon brain death of the user. |
1957 | Neural Door Lock (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A device that provides access based on neurological data. |
1957 | Manshonyagger (from Mark Elf by Cordwainer Smith) An autonomous fighting robot. |
1957 | Anti-agathic drugs (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Drugs that indefinitely postpone death from old age. |
1957 | Inter-Universal Messenger (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device intended to travel to another dimension. |
1957 | Bethé blasters (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Powerful enough to destroy a flying city. |
1957 | Gravity Well (from Life Cycle by Poul Anderson) If you visualize spacetime as a flat, elastic plane, a planet will deform it, and it sits at the bottom of its own hole. |
1957 | Space Armor (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Armored space suits for use in vacuum. |
1957 | Needle-Gun (from Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter by Isaac Asimov) Small palm-sized weapon. |
1957 | Molecular Sieve (from Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that can extract any element from seawater. |
1957 | City Fathers (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A set of computer systems which run every mechanical system in a city. |
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 | Toposcope (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A special helmet used in a form of sleep teaching. |
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 | Accelerated Schooling (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Knowledge force-fed directly into the brain. |
1957 | Teleoperated Beetle Car (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A remotely-operated robotic vehicle that permitted telepresence. |
1957 | Fenton Silencer (from Tales from the White Hart by Arthur C. Clarke) A device to cancel noise over a broad area. |
1957 | Project X (from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand) A device that produces sound rays that are intolerable to living things. |
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 | Tin Cabby (Flying Robotic Taxi) (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) An autonomously controlled flying taxi cab. |
1957 | Accelerated Schooling Helmet (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A device that stimulates the brain and imparts knowledge directly. |
1957 | Storer-Gulls Wings (from The Menace From Earth by Robert Heinlein) Recreational aid for lunar colonists; lightweight wings for cave flying. |
1957 | Magnetic Control of Nebulae (from The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle) Controlling the structure and shape of nebulae using magnetic fields. |
1957 | Eavesdropper (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Device to detect the presence of recording devices. |
1957 | Roller (from Shadow World by Clifford Simak) Two passenger vehicle designed for off-road use on alien planets. |
1957 | Peeper (from Shadow World by Clifford Simak) A device that unlocked the dreams and fantasies inherent in the user's brain. |
1957 | Mechanical Cleaning Device (from The Unreconstructed M by Philip K. Dick) A small, ground-based autonomous robot doing basic janitorial work. |
1957 | Proselytizing Robot (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) A robotic preacher; designed for use where believers are unwelcome. |
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 | Battle Tank Display (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Three-dimensional display showing tactical information for space battles. |
1957 | Bats' Cave (from The Menace From Earth by Robert Heinlein) A natural cavern used by moon colonists for air storage - and entertainment. |
1957 | Crop Algae (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Growing algae in tanks as a source of basic food stock. |
1957 | Brood Assembly (from Cities in Flight by James Blish) Artificially intelligent computers that can replicate themselves. |
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 | Glass Bees (from The Glass Bees by Ernst Junger) Walnut-sized flying automata. |
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 | Phymech (from Wanted in Surgery by Harlan Ellison) A robotic physician. |
1957 | Galactovue (from Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein) Star display. |
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 | Stellar Analog Computers (from The Lady Was A Tramp by Rose Sharon) Special systems used to calculate safe "jumps" for interstellar trips. |
1957 | Robocop (from Wanted in Surgery by Harlan Ellison) A robotic police officer. |
1957 | Jurymech (from Wanted in Surgery by Harlan Ellison) A robotic entity serving the function of a trial jury. |
1957 | Jump-Along (from The Lady Was A Tramp by Rose Sharon) Computer used for calculating jumps between stars. |
1957 | Spacefaring (from Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein) A nation or people who explore and trade in space. |
1957 | Prosthetic Robotic Arm (Thought-Attuned) (from Bleekman's Planet by Ivar Jorgensen) A detachable robotic arm, controlled directly through neural linkage. |
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 | 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. |
1957 | Oxygen Pill (from Get Out Of Our Skies! by E.K. Jarvis) Meets your need for oxygen without additional breathing. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Flexible Wall Sheet Display (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A large clear sheet that displays information. |
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 | Life Detector (from Cease Fire by Frank Herbert) A device that was capable of detecting living tissue within a set radius. |
1958 | Para-Beam (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A beam of energy that paralyzes the victim. |
1958 | Metamen (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) A human brain placed in a purely mechanical, robotic body. |
1958 | Self-Service Cafeteria (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) Food on demand. |
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 | Life Detector Shield (from Cease Fire by Frank Herbert) An electronic field that is intended to shield living tissue from a Life Detector. |
1958 | Machine Suicide (from All the Troubles in the World by Isaac Asimov) A self-aware computer system wants to destroy itself. |
1958 | Police Robot (from Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison) A fully autonomous, man-shaped robotic police officer. |
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 | Gyro Two-Wheeled Truck (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) A gyroscopically-stabilized truck with just two wheels. |
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 | Pocket Computer (from The Feeling of Power by Isaac Asimov) A pocket-sized computer. |
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 | Hypo Arm (from Simulated Trainer by Harry Harrison) A robotic arm used to autonomously deliver pharmaceuticals to patients. |
1958 | Tik-Talker (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) A method of scrambling spoken speech for encoded transmission. |
1958 | Neutronic Shielding (from The Sign of the Tiger by Alan Nourse (w/Meyer)) Very high density monomolecular shielding |
1958 | Asteroid-Metal (from The Mechanical Monarch by E.C. Tubb) Metal mined from asteroids. |
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 | Nose Gun (from Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison) Weapon system located up high. |
1958 | Magnetic Pinions (from Worlds of Origin by Jack Vance) Remote control electromagnetic handcuffs. |
1958 | The Hub (from Worlds of Origin by Jack Vance) A large space resort consisting of inhabitable bubbles in a metal framework. |
1958 | Pressurized Penthouse (from Bread Overhead! by Fritz Leiber) A stratospheric perch - if buildings are tall enough, you'll need this. |
1958 | Farside (from We Have Fed Our Sea by Poul Anderson) The portion of the Moon's surface that faces away from Earth. |
1958 | Plastotek (from Menace From Vega by Robert Randall) False skin disguise. |
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 | Thought-Record Helmet (from Menace From Vega by Robert Randall) A wearable history book. |
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). |
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 | Robot Snake (from Bait for the Tiger by Lee Chaytor) A mechanical reptile, with no legs. |
1958 | Venus Cities Float In Atmosphere (from Bread Overhead! by Fritz Leiber) Cloud cities on Venus. |
1958 | Skew-Flip Turnover (from Have Space Suit - Will Travel by Robert Heinlein) Used halfway to the destination by torch ships to slow for one's destination. |
1958 | Robot Brother (from Brother Robot by Henry Slesar) A roboticist brings home a robot brother for his natural son. |
1959 | Talking Bomb (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) A psychological warfare weapon that talks to the enemy. |
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 | Grass Carpet (from The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) An indoor home or office floor covering - living grass. |
1959 | Robot Judge (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) Artificially intelligent legal machine - robes and all. |
1959 | Metallic Marx (from The Robots Strike by Harry Harrison) A robot who strikes for better working conditions. |
1959 | Hands Free Helmet (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) The helmet of a powered suit has controls activated by head movements. |
1959 | Electromechanical Educator (from The Fourth R by George O. Smith) An automated teaching machine. |
1959 | Personality Death (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) Punishment leaves the body intact. |
1959 | Neodog (from Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein) Canine-derived animal, genetically engineered for increased intelligence and speech. |
1959 | Memo-Voice (from War Game by Philip K. Dick) Paper memos that read themselves out loud. |
1959 | Toy Testing Dummy (from War Game by Philip K. Dick) A child-sized device used to test suspect toys. |
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 | Robotic Trash Can (from Robot Justice by Harry Harrison) A sensor-equipped waste can capable of autonomous cleaning - and legal judgement. |
1959 | Saddle (from The Big Front Yard by Clifford Simak) A comfortable riding saddle - minus the horse. |
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 | Flying Eye (from The Repairman by Harry Harrison) A remote-controlled device for surveillance overflight. |
1959 | Robot Spectra Analyzer (from The Repairman by Harry Harrison) Device used to find ones position in real space. |
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 | Clone (from The Clone by Theodore L Thomas) The aggregate of individual organisms descended by asexual reproduction from a single sexually produced individual. |
1960 | Bolo (from Combat Unit by Keith Laumer) An highly advanced combat tank controlled by a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence. |
1960 | Adiabatic Pods (from The Lady Who Sailed The Soul by Cordwainer Smith) Tiny space capsules large enough to hold one passenger. |
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 | Cold-Pack (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Technology for indefinite cold storage of human beings. |
1960 | Vulcan 3 (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Artificially intelligent self-modifying supercomputer. |
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 | Pencil Beam (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A thin tube-like laser beam weapon. |
1960 | Interactive Blackboard (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Early description of an interactive display device for lectures and demonstrations. |
1960 | Robot Tracking Device (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Small UAV robot remotely operated by an artificially intelligent computer. |
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 | Learning Robot (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) A robot that learns from its own experiences. |
1960 | Bacteria-Destroying Radiation (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A special beam that created a sterile field for operations. |
1960 | Dixon Pump (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) An temporary mechanical heart to circulate blood. |
1960 | Fluid Metal Letters (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A smooth metal display able to display words. |
1960 | Art-Derm (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Artificial skin sprayed directly on the body. |
1960 | Semi-Conducting Graphite-Gel (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) Computer brain structured like animal brain. |
1960 | Indestructible Contract (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Legal document in which can't be easily altered or damaged. |
1960 | Spring-Rifle (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Projectile weapon designed to be resistant to countermeasures. |
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 | Dermal Spray (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A color coating for the skin, applied as a jet of vapor. |
1960 | Ball and Hammer Ship (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Spaceship comprised of two sections connected by a shaft. |
1960 | Metal BIrds (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Surveillance robots that carried weapons, in addition to using their metal bodies. |
1960 | Hammer (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Flying blunt trauma weapon remote-controlled by an artificially intelligent computer. |
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 | Taper (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A device that records details about a visit to a distant planet. |
1961 | Dromozoa (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) Life forms that cause the human body to bud new parts for harvesting. |
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 | Pleasure Cap (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) A device that delivers amps of pleasure directly to the brain. |
1961 | Crystal Corn (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Tiny data storage crystals. |
1961 | Grok (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) To understand fully; become one with (from the Martial verb "to drink"). |
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 | 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 | Stereovision Tank (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Three dimensional mass media (the grandson of television). |
1961 | Air-Restorer Capsule (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that re-oxygenates air in space suits. |
1961 | Chlorophane (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Similar to chlorophyll but synthetic and far more efficient. |
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 | Butcher Vegetable (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A plant that grows steaks (protein). |
1961 | Stellene (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A tough, transparent material used to make domes or even 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 | Space Bubble (Bubb) (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) An inflatable spacecraft. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Carniculture Plants (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) Industrial plants that grow meat protein. |
1961 | Teleprinter (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) A device that printed out a copy of today's newspaper. |
1961 | Electronic Book Store (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A place to pick up your electronic books. |
1961 | Lecton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A device that would read aloud an electronic text book. |
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 | Betrization (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) An in utero method of reducing human aggression. |
1961 | Dust-Ski (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Special vehicle adapted for quick travel over powdered lunar soil. |
1961 | Waterbed (Hydraulic Bed) (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A bed that uses water instead of springs and stuffing. |
1961 | Stereo Tank (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) A receiver for three-dimensional televised images. |
1961 | Moondozer (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) A bulldozer for lunar conditions. |
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 | Electrosecretary (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) An automatic transcription device. |
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 | Parastatics (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Means of completely eliminating injury in vehicles during crashes. |
1961 | Calster (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A handheld device that printed legal currency on the spot. |
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 | Mental Radio-Handicap (from Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) A device that destroys concentration. |
1961 | Self-Guided Rocket Bullets (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A rifle made for airless environments shoots rocket bullets. |
1961 | Lyle Drive (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Propulsion system for use inside the solar system. |
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 | 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 | Hunting Robe (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A very thin, furry hunter that captures by constriction. |
1961 | Interactive Map (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A small book with a 'touch-screen' paper interactive map. |
1961 | Opton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Very early description of an electronic book, with storage media. |
1961 | Hydroponics in Space (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Growing plants for food without soil on a spacecraft. |
1961 | Dimensino (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) An alien entertainment center that provides the ultimate in immersive experience. |
1961 | Spray-On Clothing (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Body coverings from a spray can. |
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 | Flitterboat (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A one-man cargo space craft. |
1961 | Sealingsilk (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) Transparent and flexible material, even against hard vacuum in space. |
1961 | Skip-Glide (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A means of using the atmosphere to delicately slow a space craft during re-entry. |
1961 | Precipitrons (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) Filtration system to remove dust and other particulates from the atmosphere in space stations. |
1961 | Astroposit (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) Retro-style system provides a readout on your position anywhere in the galaxy. |
1961 | Magnetic Soles (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) Magnetized footwear for easy walking on low gravity metal surfaces. |
1961 | Plexiskin (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A means of disguise. |
1961 | Sun-Quilt (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) A colorful fabric with a silvered backing used to shield the interior of a living-globe from excessive sunlight. |
1961 | Inflatable Living-Globe (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) An inflatable bubble in space, suitable for human habitation. |
1961 | Green Guk (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) Algae that produces essential oxygen as a byproduct. |
1961 | IntruGrab (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) A system designed to capture intruders. |
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 | Lunar Web (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) The moon ensnared by cobwebs. |
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 | Tand (from The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance) A metal sculpture, made in contemplation, which has great meaning for the initiates. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Alcodote (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A compound that maintains sobriety while drinking. |
1962 | Dumbler (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) Half-sentient spores of the whistle thistle. |
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 | Laminated Mouse Brain Computer (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A computing device that makes use of neurons from a mouse. |
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 | 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 | Cataclysmite (from Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper) A high explosive. |
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 | Carniculture Vat (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) Technology to grow meat sans animal. |
1962 | Serving Robot (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A non-humanoid robot designed to serve. |
1962 | Robot Earthworm (from War With The Robots by Harry Harrison) Autonomous swarming robots the size of earthworms, with similar earth-digging capabilities. |
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 | Rat-Robot (from Anything You Can Do by Gordon Randall Garrett) A small remotely-operated surveillance robot. |
1962 | Photonic Sail (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A sail that uses light pressure for propulsion. |
1962 | Delivery Robot (from Podkayne of Mars by Robert Heinlein) A small autonomous device that will bring goods directly to a person or place. |
1962 | Freezebox (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A chamber for long term sleep between the stars. |
1962 | Light-Sail Ship (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A spacecraft that used a huge sail moved by light pressure. |
1963 | Fold Box (from Glory Road by Robert Heinlein) A chest that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. |
1963 | Free Telephone Call (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) All telephone calls are free - in exchange for short commercials. |
1963 | Solar Yacht (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A space craft whose motive power is light pressure on a solar sail. |
1963 | Subliminal Billboards (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) Enormous outdoor billboards that are totally blank - or are they? |
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 | Unicephalon 40-D (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A problem-solving supercomputer. |
1963 | Solar Yacht Periscope (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device used in the small cabin of a solar yacht. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Rabbit-Paper (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) A paper pregnancy test that showed immediate results. |
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 | Field-Minder (from Who Can Replace A Man by Brian Aldiss) An agricultural robot. |
1963 | Desk Secretary (from The Long Result by John Brunner) A desk with a computerized secretary built into it. |
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 | News Clown (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A person who delivers specially selected light news. |
1963 | Multiverse (from The Sundered Worlds by Michael Moorcock) A set or series of universes in parallel with our own. |
1963 | Sleep-Inducer (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that electronically imposes sleep on a human being. |
1963 | Transparent, Frictionless Coating (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) An absolutely frictionless, impenetrable coating. |
1963 | Rifle Range (Virtual Shooting Range) (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Virtual skeet shooting gallery with clay pigeon traps created by aliens. |
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 | Way Station (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) A device used to transport individuals across the galaxy. |
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 | Shadow People (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Alien knowledge leads to alien results - for humans. |
1964 | Housefly Monitor (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A living fly that is outfitted with sensors for surveillance work. |
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 | Creditor Jet-Balloon (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A small, hovering device that hounds debtors. |
1964 | Walking Fort (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A biomimetic fort based on the model of a centipede. |
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 | Flexible Stem (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A long flexible tube that can expand and contract its length quickly. |
1964 | Reporting Machine (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A robotic roving reporter. |
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 | Surface Slider (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small, lightweight craft. |
1964 | Identificator (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A hologram projector used to flash door signs. |
1964 | Universal Technical Consultative Service (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Interstellar travel plans calculated, reserved and confirmed. |
1964 | Fake-Meter (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A pocket-sized counterfeit currency detector. |
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 | Platform Flyer (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small craft suitable for journeys close to the ground. |
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 | Syn-Cof (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Synthetic coffee. |
1964 | Single Seat Scooter (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A self-service monocycle. |
1964 | Autonomic Food-Processing System (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Technology allows food to be prepared untouched by human hands. |
1964 | Color Generator (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A variable spectrum light source |
1964 | Auto Shovel (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) Automated mining equipment for use in space. |
1964 | Jet-Powered Aquaplane (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Overpowered surface boat. |
1964 | Time-Warping Construct (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A device that appears to cause alternate worlds or paraworld. |
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 | 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 | Commercial Fly (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous, fly-sized manufactured creature that presents commercial advertisements. |
1964 | Robot Busboy (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A robotic device able to autonomously clear tables in a restaurant. |
1964 | Poison-Bearing Invisible Glove (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Membranous apparel for the hands, used to dispense poisons. |
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 | 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 | Chalf (Quick-Scribe Powder) (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A special powder that forms itself into words and symbols. |
1964 | Rhetorizer (from The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick) A computerized assistant for writers. |
1964 | Undersea Restaurant (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A restaurant located in its entirety under the sea. |
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 | 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 | Surgical Hand (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A specialized robotic hand used for surgery. |
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 | Cephalic Sniffer (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) Device can locate an individual using brain patterns. |
1964 | Adjustable Television (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A television that allowed viewers to adjust the content of political speeches. |
1964 | Court Robo-Clerk (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A robotic law clerk. |
1964 | Pry-Vie (Robotic Detective) (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A robotic private eye; autonomic detection services. |
1964 | Skin Toning (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Using artificial means to effect a temporary change in skin color. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Artif-Org (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) A mechanical version of a human organ. |
1964 | Chalf-Memory Stick (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) Device that organizes special dust in the shape of 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 | 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 | Suicide Tooth (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A false tooth containing poison. |
1964 | Nipple-Assist (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A multi-purpose electronic device worn upon the nipple. |
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