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Science Fiction
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Timeline
of Science Fiction Ideas, Technology and Inventions
|
Date | Device Name (Novel Author) |
1960 | Dixon Pump (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) An temporary mechanical heart to circulate blood. |
1960 | Robot Tracking Device (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Small UAV robot remotely operated by an artificially intelligent computer. |
1960 | Chameleon Battle-Dress (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Camouflage that allows its wearer to visually blend into the environment. |
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 | Interactive Blackboard (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Early description of an interactive display device for lectures and demonstrations. |
1960 | Vulcan 3 (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Artificially intelligent self-modifying supercomputer. |
1960 | Transdermal Drug Capsule (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A drug capsule that delivers medication by being placed on the skin. |
1960 | Pencil Beam (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A thin tube-like laser beam weapon. |
1960 | Domed Mapviewer (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Illuminated hemispherical map display. |
1960 | Semi-Conducting Graphite-Gel (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) Computer brain structured like animal brain. |
1960 | Dermal Spray (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A color coating for the skin, applied as a jet of vapor. |
1960 | Bacteria-Destroying Radiation (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) A special beam that created a sterile field for operations. |
1960 | Single Sheet Molecule (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) A counterfeit-proof way to output unique documents. |
1960 | Art-Derm (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Artificial skin sprayed directly on the body. |
1960 | Fluid Metal Letters (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) A smooth metal display able to display words. |
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 | Spring-Rifle (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Projectile weapon designed to be resistant to countermeasures. |
1960 | Indestructible Contract (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Legal document in which can't be easily altered or damaged. |
1960 | Infiltrators (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Surveillance devices, small and insectile. |
1960 | Bolo (from Combat Unit by Keith Laumer) An highly advanced combat tank controlled by a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence. |
1960 | Hammer (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Flying blunt trauma weapon remote-controlled by an artificially intelligent computer. |
1960 | Power Holster (from Deathworld by Harry Harrison) Puts the sidearm right in your hand. |
1960 | Ball and Hammer Ship (from Dorsai! by Gordon R. Dickson) Spaceship comprised of two sections connected by a shaft. |
1960 | Adiabatic Pods (from The Lady Who Sailed The Soul by Cordwainer Smith) Tiny space capsules large enough to hold one passenger. |
1960 | Metal BIrds (from Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick) Surveillance robots that carried weapons, in addition to using their metal bodies. |
1960 | Learning Robot (from Callahan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr) A robot that learns from its own experiences. |
1960 | Cold-Pack (from Dr. Futurity by Philip K. Dick) Technology for indefinite cold storage of human beings. |
1961 | Teleprinter (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) A device that printed out a copy of today's newspaper. |
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 | Parastatics (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Means of completely eliminating injury in vehicles during crashes. |
1961 | Flitterboat (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A one-man cargo space craft. |
1961 | Betrization (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) An in utero method of reducing human aggression. |
1961 | Crystal Corn (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Tiny data storage crystals. |
1961 | IntruGrab (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) A system designed to capture intruders. |
1961 | Astroposit (from The Hunch by Christopher Anvil) Retro-style system provides a readout on your position anywhere in the galaxy. |
1961 | Stellene (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A tough, transparent material used to make domes or even spacecraft. |
1961 | Plexiskin (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) A means of disguise. |
1961 | Magnetic Soles (from A Spaceship Named McGuire by Gordon Randall Garrett) Magnetized footwear for easy walking on low gravity metal surfaces. |
1961 | Carniculture Plants (from Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper) Industrial plants that grow meat protein. |
1961 | Air-Restorer Capsule (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A device that re-oxygenates air in space suits. |
1961 | Electronic Book Store (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A place to pick up your electronic books. |
1961 | Mental Radio-Handicap (from Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) A device that destroys concentration. |
1961 | Lyle Drive (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Propulsion system for use inside the solar system. |
1961 | Pleasure Cap (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) A device that delivers amps of pleasure directly to the brain. |
1961 | Mind Destroyer (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) A method for wiping clean the mind of a human being, leaving only enough to run the body's functions. |
1961 | Dromozoa (from A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith) Life forms that cause the human body to bud new parts for harvesting. |
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 | Self-Guided Rocket Bullets (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) A rifle made for airless environments shoots rocket bullets. |
1961 | Space Bubble (Bubb) (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) An inflatable spacecraft. |
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 | Chlorophane (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Similar to chlorophyll but synthetic and far more efficient. |
1961 | Electrosecretary (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) An automatic transcription device. |
1961 | Hydroponics in Space (from The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun) Growing plants for food without soil on a spacecraft. |
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 | Dust-Cruiser (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Specialized lunar transport able to negotiate dust-filled craters on the Moon. |
1961 | Dust-Ski (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Special vehicle adapted for quick travel over powdered lunar soil. |
1961 | Lecton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A device that would read aloud an electronic text book. |
1961 | Moondozer (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) A bulldozer for lunar conditions. |
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 | Opton (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Very early description of an electronic book, with storage media. |
1961 | Stereovision Tank (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) Three dimensional mass media (the grandson of television). |
1961 | Sealingsilk (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) Transparent and flexible material, even against hard vacuum in space. |
1961 | Precipitrons (from The Beat Cluster by Fritz Leiber) Filtration system to remove dust and other particulates from the atmosphere in space stations. |
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 | 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 | Grok (from Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein) To understand fully; become one with (from the Martial verb "to drink"). |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Dimensino (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) An alien entertainment center that provides the ultimate in immersive experience. |
1961 | Butcher Vegetable (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A plant that grows steaks (protein). |
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 | Taper (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A device that records details about a visit to a distant planet. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Hunting Robe (from Time is the Simplest Thing by Clifford Simak) A very thin, furry hunter that captures by constriction. |
1961 | Electronic Image Intensifier (from A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke) Much more sensitive than the human eye. |
1961 | Interactive Map (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A small book with a 'touch-screen' paper interactive map. |
1961 | Calster (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) A handheld device that printed legal currency on the spot. |
1961 | Spray-On Clothing (from Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem) Body coverings from a spray can. |
1962 | Facial Recognition (from Rogue Psi by James Schmitz) A device that scans a person, compares to a database, and brings out more stored information. |
1962 | Serving Robot (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A non-humanoid robot designed to serve. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Solar Sail (Light Sail) (from Sail 25 (Gateway to Strangeness) by Jack Vance) A form of propulsion for spacecraft; a sheet of lightweight material reflects light from the sun or other light source. |
1962 | Cataclysmite (from Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper) A high explosive. |
1962 | Alcodote (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) A compound that maintains sobriety while drinking. |
1962 | Tand (from The Dragon Masters by Jack Vance) A metal sculpture, made in contemplation, which has great meaning for the initiates. |
1962 | Rat-Robot (from Anything You Can Do by Gordon Randall Garrett) A small remotely-operated surveillance robot. |
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 | Freezebox (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A chamber for long term sleep between the stars. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Carniculture Vat (from Space Viking by H. Beam Piper) Technology to grow meat sans animal. |
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 | Light-Sail Ship (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A spacecraft that used a huge sail moved by light pressure. |
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 | Dumbler (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) Half-sentient spores of the whistle thistle. |
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 | 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 | Robot Earthworm (from War With The Robots by Harry Harrison) Autonomous swarming robots the size of earthworms, with similar earth-digging capabilities. |
1962 | Lunar Web (from Hothouse by Brian Aldiss) The moon ensnared by cobwebs. |
1962 | Photonic Sail (from Think Blue, Count Two by Cordwainer Smith) A sail that uses light pressure for propulsion. |
1963 | Sleep-Inducer (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device that electronically imposes sleep on a human being. |
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 | Rabbit-Paper (from The Game Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick) A paper pregnancy test that showed immediate results. |
1963 | Multiverse (from The Sundered Worlds by Michael Moorcock) A set or series of universes in parallel with our own. |
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 | 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 | 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 | Shadow People (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Alien knowledge leads to alien results - for humans. |
1963 | Solar Yacht (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A space craft whose motive power is light pressure on a solar sail. |
1963 | Transparent, Frictionless Coating (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) An absolutely frictionless, impenetrable coating. |
1963 | Way Station (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) A device used to transport individuals across the galaxy. |
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 | Fold Box (from Glory Road by Robert Heinlein) A chest that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. |
1963 | Subliminal Billboards (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) Enormous outdoor billboards that are totally blank - or are they? |
1963 | Desk Secretary (from The Long Result by John Brunner) A desk with a computerized secretary built into it. |
1963 | News Clown (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A person who delivers specially selected light news. |
1963 | Unicephalon 40-D (from Stand-By by Philip K. Dick) A problem-solving supercomputer. |
1963 | Free Telephone Call (from The Subliminal Man by J.G. Ballard) All telephone calls are free - in exchange for short commercials. |
1963 | Solar Yacht Periscope (from Sunjammer by Arthur C. Clarke) A device used in the small cabin of a solar yacht. |
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 | 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 | Rifle Range (Virtual Shooting Range) (from Way Station by Clifford Simak) Virtual skeet shooting gallery with clay pigeon traps created by aliens. |
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. |
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 | Police Control-Override (from The Hounds of Hell by Keith Laumer) A device that allows police officers to take control of an otherwise normal vehicle. |
1964 | Optical-Effect Suit (from The Hounds of Hell by Keith Laumer) An invisibility garment. |
1964 | Auto Shovel (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) Automated mining equipment for use in space. |
1964 | Poison-Bearing Invisible Glove (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Membranous apparel for the hands, used to dispense poisons. |
1964 | Robot Busboy (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A robotic device able to autonomously clear tables in a restaurant. |
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 | Time-Warping Construct (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A device that appears to cause alternate worlds or paraworld. |
1964 | Adjustable Television (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A television that allowed viewers to adjust the content of political speeches. |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Housefly Monitor (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A living fly that is outfitted with sensors for surveillance work. |
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 | Autonomic Food-Processing System (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Technology allows food to be prepared untouched by human hands. |
1964 | Single Seat Scooter (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A self-service monocycle. |
1964 | Undersea Restaurant (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A restaurant located in its entirety under the sea. |
1964 | Skin Toning (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Using artificial means to effect a temporary change in skin color. |
1964 | Universal Technical Consultative Service (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Interstellar travel plans calculated, reserved and confirmed. |
1964 | Color Generator (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A variable spectrum light source |
1964 | Jet-Powered Aquaplane (from The Star King by Jack Vance) Overpowered surface boat. |
1964 | Chalf (Quick-Scribe Powder) (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A special powder that forms itself into words and symbols. |
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 | Identificator (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A hologram projector used to flash door signs. |
1964 | Fake-Meter (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A pocket-sized counterfeit currency detector. |
1964 | Walking Fort (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A biomimetic fort based on the model of a centipede. |
1964 | Flexible Stem (from The Killing Machine by Jack Vance) A long flexible tube that can expand and contract its length quickly. |
1964 | Surface Slider (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small, lightweight craft. |
1964 | Pry-Vie (Robotic Detective) (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A robotic private eye; autonomic detection services. |
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 | Reporting Machine (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) A robotic roving reporter. |
1964 | Commercial Fly (from The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous, fly-sized manufactured creature that presents commercial advertisements. |
1964 | Chalf-Memory Stick (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) Device that organizes special dust in the shape of words and symbols. |
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 | 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 | Platform Flyer (from The Star King by Jack Vance) A small craft suitable for journeys close to the ground. |
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 | Rhetorizer (from The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick) A computerized assistant for writers. |
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 | 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 | Syn-Cof (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) Synthetic coffee. |
1964 | Artif-Org (from Cantata 140 by Philip K. Dick) A mechanical version of a human organ. |
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 | Creditor Jet-Balloon (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A small, hovering device that hounds debtors. |
1964 | Surgical Hand (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) A specialized robotic hand used for surgery. |
1964 | Adjustment (from Placement Test by Keith Laumer) Making sure the man fits the job! |
1964 | Suicide Tooth (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A false tooth containing poison. |
1964 | Weary Deep-Sleep (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Phildickian old-sleep. |
1964 | Automated Laboratory (from The Shores of Death by Michael Moorcock) A fully automated machinery of invention. |
1964 | Court Robo-Clerk (from The Tactful Saboteur by Frank Herbert) A robotic law clerk. |
1964 | Cephalic Sniffer (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) Device can locate an individual using brain patterns. |
1964 | Bug Chasers (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Anti-surveillance devices. |
1964 | Control Harness (from A Game of Unchance by Philip K. Dick) Connects to the brain and nervous system of a host organism for control purposes. |
1964 | Microrob (from A Game of Unchance by Philip K. Dick) Small stature robots. |
1964 | Simulacrum (Sim) (from Clans of the Alphane Moon by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous construct that is a perfect likeness to a human person. |
1964 | Cholinesterase-Destroying Gas (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) Horrific anti-personnel poison. |
1964 | Power-skis (from Selection by Ursula Le Guin) Just the accoutrement for exploration, depending on the world. |
1964 | Jump Point (from Bill for Delivery by Christopher Anvil) A specific location in space where an interstellar jump can be accomplished. |
1964 | Nipple-Assist (from Lies, Inc. by Philip K. Dick) A multi-purpose electronic device worn upon the nipple. |
1964 | Phantomatic Generator (Virtual Reality) (from Summa Technologiae by Stanislaw Lem) A computer-generated experience. |
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 | Downtime (from The Traps of Time by John Baxter) Traveling back in time. |
1964 | Uptime (from The Traps of Time by John Baxter) Forward in time. |
1965 | Robot Bar (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) A combination bartender and bar; a robot capable of dispensing beverages. |
1965 | Sprung-Samser Treatment (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A medical treatment to extend human life. |
1965 | Smart Dust (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Very tiny computers. |
1965 | Radson Skimmer (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A small vehicle designed for a small number of passengers; capable of low, slow flight. |
1965 | CAN-D (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Illegal narcotic chewed to alter the state of colonists. |
1965 | Plasteel (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Extremely tough form of steel, stabilized with stravidium fibers grown into its crystal. |
1965 | Bubblehead (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A person who as undergone E therapy, and achieved the frontal lobe of their dreams. |
1965 | Voice (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Combines exceptional insight into personalty with voice modulation to achieve control over individuals. |
1965 | Gauzy (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A feather-light tent, made of a fabric just one molecule thick. |
1965 | Truffle Skins (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Genetically unique skins are the common currency; their special genetic makeup makes forgery impossible. |
1965 | Commuter Cooling Unit (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A portable air conditioner for commuters. |
1965 | Heighliner (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Enormous starship used by the Spacing Guild for interstellar travel. |
1965 | Glowglobe (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Floating spherical light bulb with organic energy source. |
1965 | Rachag (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A caffeine-style stimulant. |
1965 | Paracompass (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A very specialized compass that makes use of local magnetic anomalies. |
1965 | Jubba Cloak (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An all-purpose garment in common use on Arrakis |
1965 | Minimic Film (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Very fine message medium. |
1965 | Shigawire (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A very fine wire, used as a recording medium (among other things). |
1965 | Crysknife (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A knife blade ground from the tooth of a giant sandworm of Dune. |
1965 | Fencing Mirror (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A dummy fighting instructor for the young Kwisatz Haderach-in-training. |
1965 | Battle Language (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A special-purpose language designed for both clear communication of information related to war, and difficulty of translation. |
1965 | Civic Notification Distorter (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A device that subtly damages databases full of government information. |
1965 | Steel Teeth (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Artificial teeth welded to the bone. |
1965 | Luxvid Eyes (Jensen Wide-Angle) (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Artificial, unmoving implanted eyes. |
1965 | Hypno-Ligation (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A means of psychological control over an individual. |
1965 | Electronic Bard (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A computing machine that is able to write original poetry. |
1965 | Spice (Melange) (from Dune by Frank Herbert) The spice must flow. |
1965 | Handicloset (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A self-organizing closet |
1965 | Water Repellent Surface (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A surface that water flows over without sticking at all. |
1965 | Sapho Juice (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Unique substance enhanced the cognitive performance of Mentats. |
1965 | Filterable Virus (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A special virus that is instantly carcinomatous. |
1965 | Communinet (from Dune by Brian Herbert) A public data network.i |
1965 | Cardioplate (from 'Repent Harlequin' Said the Ticktockman by Harlan Ellison) A device that could take seconds or minutes off your life, one beat at a time (or all at once). |
1965 | Garbage-can Banger (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) An elaborate noise-based weapon. |
1965 | Autonomic Interviewer (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A robotic reporter. |
1965 | Sheep Dip Isolator (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A non-lethal malodorant weapon. |
1965 | Slow Pellet Stunner (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A projectile device that throws darts in a manner calculated to get past a force shield. |
1965 | Battery-Powered 3D Comic Book (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A comic book the pages of which were animated by battery power. |
1965 | N-e (Needle-eyeification) Weapon (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A class of weapons that had the most precise effect imaginable. |
1965 | Dekon Type DCQ (from Subspace Explorers by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Decontamination foam. |
1965 | Teddy Bear Robot (from I Always Do What Teddy Says by Harry Harrison) A special toy bear given to every child in the world. |
1965 | Gnostotron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Computing device capable of producing an informational model of absolutely everything in existence. |
1965 | Imperial Handicraft Globe (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Perfectly crafted globe for planetary governors. |
1965 | Chemelectric Afferent Nerve-Analogues (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) An engineered sensory skin. |
1965 | Family Atomics (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Noble houses had their own atomic weapons. |
1965 | Mentat (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A person who has been specially trained and conditioned for excellence in |
1965 | Kingdom in a Box (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) An entire civilization in miniature - in an interactive box. |
1965 | Interchangeable Hands (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Specialized manual extremities. |
1965 | Gom Jabbar (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A needle with deadly poison, used to test for humans. |
1965 | Poison Tongue Dart (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Weapon surgically implanted in the tongue. |
1965 | Implanted Steel Teeth (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) Replacement teeth implanted in the jaw. |
1965 | Antithermal Shield (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A material that protected against climate warming. |
1965 | Model the Universe (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A computer capacious enough to contain a representation of the entire universe. |
1965 | Residual Poison (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A poison that, once administered, resides in the body; only regular intake of the antidote keeps the person alive. |
1965 | Inter-Vehicle Communication (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) The ability to talk car-to-car directly. |
1965 | Autonomic Cab (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) An automated taxicab (without robotic driver). |
1965 | Robomule (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) The robotic equivalent of a mule. |
1965 | Chowlock (from The Starfox by Poul Anderson) A small opening in a space helmet for food insertion. |
1965 | Stilltent (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, sealable enclosure which reclaimed moisture from the breath of occupants. |
1965 | Hunter-seeker (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An assassination device that floats in mid-air; kills by entering the body and following nerve pathways to vital organs. |
1965 | Radar Mesentery (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A thick covering that supports a network of sensors. |
1965 | Ornithopter (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Also called a 'thopter, it had adjustable wings and was jet-powered. Describes any plane capable of wing-beat flight in the manner of birds. |
1965 | Filament Paper Book (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Very small book, made for space travelers in an era when the smallest added weight was costly. |
1965 | Factory Crawler (or Harvester Crawler) (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A mobile factory which filtered and processed the sands of Dune for the spice, mélange. |
1965 | Personalized Fashion Display (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) A set of displays that show you dressed in different uniforms. |
1965 | Thumper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A short stake with a spring-driven clapper at one end; used to call sandworms. |
1965 | Suspensor Chair (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A chair that suspends itself above the floor. |
1965 | Catchpocket (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small container in a stillsuit that stored reclaimed water. |
1965 | Solido Projector (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Projects 3-dimensional images. |
1965 | Oil Lens (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Oil held in tension in an enclosing force field, used as an optical component. |
1965 | Watertube (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Carries water to and from the catchpockets in a Fremen stillsuit. |
1965 | Leybyrdite (from Subspace Explorers by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) Extremely tough crystalline metal. |
1965 | Carryall (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A flying wing (aircraft); used to pick up a sandcrawler (harvester factory) |
1965 | Windtrap (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device which precipitates water from the air for use by people. |
1965 | Dispensing Tooth (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device shaped like a tooth that dispenses gas. |
1965 | Wakeshot (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An injection designed to bring a person out of sleep to full wakefulness. |
1965 | Filt-Plug (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A nose plug worn to collect moisture from exhaled air. |
1965 | Dew Gatherers (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Devices used to gather morning dew as a source of drinking water. |
1965 | Heat-Removing Staff (from The Dead Lady of Clown Town by Cordwainer Smith) Device absorbs all heat from its target. |
1965 | Simicolor (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) Artificial coloring for the body. |
1965 | Diptray (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A hovering tray of drinks, used for parties. |
1965 | Stillsuit (from Dune by Frank Herbert) It covers almost the entire body, provides cooling and ensures that almost no moisture is lost. |
1965 | Femfatalatron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) A device that reverses an infatuation for a particular woman. |
1965 | Golden Lights (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Another unusual use of the suspensor field; lights are suspended in it. |
1965 | Sandsnork (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device like a snorkel that would provide air to a tent buried by a sand storm. |
1965 | Suspensor Lamp (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A lamp that will float in mid-air, and will stay where you put it. |
1965 | Sunshades (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) Sunglasses that darken and lighten based on ambient lighting. |
1965 | Pain Box (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small box which induced pain into the nerves of the hand. |
1965 | Maula Pistol (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A spring-loaded projectile device. |
1965 | Cutteray (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A laser used in a range of tools - including mining equipment. |
1965 | Medical Mech (from Warrior by Gordon R. Dickson) A medical robot designed to prevent death during emergencies. |
1965 | 'Thopter (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Describes any plane capable of wing-beat flight in the manner of birds. |
1965 | Chromoplastic Dew Collector (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, egg-shaped device that uses a special surface to collect morning dew on the desert planet of Arrakis. |
1965 | Humming-Code (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A personal communication. |
1965 | Rolem (Wrestling Robot) (from This Immortal by Roger Zelazny) A robotic wrestling companion. |
1965 | Semuta (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A combination of a specific drug and music, which penetrated to the deepest levels of consciousness. |
1965 | Autodoc (from World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven) An automated physician, a fully autonomous surgical robot. |
1965 | Poison Snooper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A device that checked food and drink for poisons. |
1965 | Filmbook (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A storage medium for information, both text and video. |
1965 | Ramscoop (from World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven) An enormous magnetic field precedes a spaceship moving through space, directing interstellar hydrogen inward for use as fuel. |
1965 | Mnemonic Pulse (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A feature of filmbook recordings that helps imprint knowledge on the mind of the user. |
1965 | Servok (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An 'automatic' or clock-set mechanism to perform simple tasks. |
1965 | Slaver Sunflowers (from World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven) Plants evolved to reflect light to burn natural enemies. |
1965 | Amtal Rule (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Testing to destruction |
1965 | Dr. Smile (from The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick) A suitcase-sized analyst; a machine that served as a psychotherapist. |
1965 | Gigagnostotron (from The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age by Stanislaw Lem) Enormously powerful computing device. |
1965 | Death-rattle File (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A cache of information set to destroy itself upon the death of its owner. |
1965 | Remote-Cast Snooper (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small, easily concealed poison snooper. |
1965 | Lasgun (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A continuous-wave laser projector; can be used as a weapon or as a cutting tool. |
1965 | Distrans (from Dune by Frank Herbert) Device produces a temporary neural imprint on the nervous system of Chiroptera or birds. |
1965 | Doorseal (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A portable plastic seal used in temporary camps to keep moisture from escaping from dwelling places. |
1965 | Ego-Likeness (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An extremely detailed portrait played through a shigawire projector; capable of reproducing minute movements said to convey the ego essence of a person. |
1965 | Fanmetal (from Dune by Frank Herbert) High tensile strength material; used in collapsible structures opened by "fanning" them out. |
1965 | Spatial-Postal Card (from Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison) Mail from home - that hungry soldiers can also eat. |
1965 | Sietch (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A cave warren designed to protect a tribal community, with a population of thousands, with its own water supply in an endless desert. |
1965 | Krimskell Fiber (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A "claw" fiber which will rubs against itself in such a way that, the tighter the rope is pulled, the stronger the knot becomes. |
1965 | Palm Lock (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A lock or seal which can be opened only by contact with the palm of the human hand to which it has been keyed. |
1965 | Suspensor (from Dune by Frank Herbert) An energy field that can nullify gravity for small objects. |
1965 | Message Cylinder (from Dune by Frank Herbert) A small metal object containing some form of message media and a mechanism for either playing or extruding the medium; secured communication device. |
1965 | Sleep Machine (from Short Trip to Nowhere by R.M. Williams) A device guaranteeing a good night's sleep. |
1965 | Cephalic Pattern Door (from The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick) A door that only opens for specific people. |
1966 | Confinement Asteroid (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A place where asteroid miner's babies stay to experience some needed gravity. |
1966 | Mass-Driver Catapult (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) An escape-speed induction catapult to launch material into orbit. |
1966 | Transparent Platisplasm Cage (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) A replacement framework for a body joint - in this case, the shoulder. |
1966 | Multi-View Surveillance Display (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Lots of different video sources combined into one display. |
1966 | Antigravity Globe Arena (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) A spherical arena for wrestling. |
1966 | Cellphone Voice Mail (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Callers speak into their instrument, and the content of the call is stored by the network for the user to replay at will. |
1966 | Sand-Yacht (Land Schooner) (from Cry Hope, Cry Fury! by J.G. Ballard) A vehicle that used wind power upon its sails to move on the land. |
1966 | Photosensitive Pigment (from Cry Hope, Cry Fury! by J.G. Ballard) Special paint that stays 'blank' until exposed to a scene. |
1966 | Cellphone Credit Card (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Cellphone that can act as a credit card. |
1966 | Online Employability Profile Testing (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) An online test that determines the best areas in which you might search for a job. |
1966 | Simulogs (Simulated Playmates) (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by John Brunner) Computer-generated playmates. |
1966 | Language Net (from The Sorceror Pharesm by Gerald Vance) Endows the user with the ability to understand any language. |
1966 | Decorative Implant (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Small devices that can be implanted subcutaneously in the body and then controlled consciously. |
1966 | Drinking Bulb (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) A small container, used for drinks. |
1966 | Babel-17 (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) An alien weapon in the form of a language. |
1966 | Van Goom's Gambit (from Von Goom's Gambit by Victor Contoski) A chessboard pattern that unhinges the mind of any player who sees it. |
1966 | Corpsicle (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Cryogenically frozen person who could (hopefully) be revived later. |
1966 | Ansible (from Rocannon's World by Ursula Le Guin) Faster-than-light communication. |
1966 | Cloaking Device (from Balance of Terror by Paul Schneider) A force field that renders an object invisible to human eyes as well as other sensor devices. |
1966 | General Products Hull (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) Nearly indestructible outer skin for spaceships; pick your hull size and put what you want inside. |
1966 | Ramrobot (Ramscoop Robot) (from Bordered in Black by Larry Niven) An autonomous interstellar exploration craft using gathered hydrogen for fuel. |
1966 | Extra-Factual Memory (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A "memory" placed in a person's mind by artifice, rather than by real life experience. |
1966 | Laser Cannon (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A laser source powerful enough to provide significant light pressure to a "light sail." |
1966 | Online Job Search (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Networked assets allow ordinary people to search through nationwide job listings upon providing a short set of qualifications. |
1966 | Sleeping Plates (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A pair of plates that nullify gravity for the being(s) sleeping between them. Is null gravity the answer to your sleep problems? |
1966 | Moon As Prison (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) The moon is a prison without bars. |
1966 | Caller Contact List (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A list of callers kept on the phone instrument. |
1966 | Virtual Reality Construct (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A means of projecting a virtual reality experience without special headsets. |
1966 | Reciprocal Name (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A nickname or familiar name used to specify a more completely defined full name and telephone number. |
1966 | Virtual Kiss (Tactile Net) (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A phone-like device that will communicate a kiss in a tactile manner. |
1966 | Interests Profile (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) An intelligent agent; a software program with your personal tastes on file. |
1966 | Kzinti Lesson - Propulsion As Weapon (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) The power of a craft's means of propulsion repurposed as an offensive weapon. |
1966 | Flexible Armor Suit (from Neutron Star by Larry Niven) A pressure suit that, while flexible, becomes rigid like armor upon impact. |
1966 | Tru-Mem Systems (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) Organic process of recalling personal events. |
1966 | Laser Rifle (from Door to Anywhere by Poul Anderson) A laser weapon shaped (and fired) like a traditional rifle. |
1966 | TANSTAAFL (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. |
1966 | Cyborg Pilot (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A combination of a human being (at least the thinking part) and a machine. |
1966 | Mike (Mycroft Holmes - Fair Dinkum Thinkum) (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A large computer that woke up - an artificially intelligent, self-aware machine. |
1966 | Hush Hood (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A device that cancels noise, ensuring that others cannot overhear. |
1966 | Ground-to-Orbit Ferry (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A kind of space shuttle craft. |
1966 | Joymaker (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A networked personal digital assistant - that really is an assistant. |
1966 | Discorporate Sector (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) An electronic afterlife. |
1966 | Morphogen (from Fantastic Voyage (Novel) by Isaac Asimov) A drug that party relieves the need for sleep. |
1966 | Adam Selene (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer generates a human avatar for itself. |
1966 | Auto-Scan (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Automated control of remote surveillance drones. |
1966 | Eyes (from This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny) Flying remote-operated surveillance drones. |
1966 | Death-Reversal Equipment (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Brings you back from losing a duel. |
1966 | Specialized Prosthetic Arm (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A set of prosthetics that provide different functionality in place of missing arm. |
1966 | Tensile Memory Polarized Matter (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) The same piece of material can take pre-determined shapes. |
1966 | Morgue (Recall Stage) (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Storage and retrieval of frozen bodies. |
1966 | Martian Print Amoeba (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) An organism able to mimic consumer goods. |
1966 | Ebony Teeth (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) Completely black artificial teeth. |
1966 | Discorporaphone (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) For speaking with the electronic dead. |
1966 | Alternate Computer Personality (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer system that can take on complete, alternate personalities. |
1966 | Robant Bill Collector (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) A robot designed to collect overdue bills, no matter what. |
1966 | Garbage Device (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Autonomous garbage collection device. |
1966 | Surgical Homeostatic Unit (from Now Wait For Last Year by Philip K. Dick) An autonomous surgical robot, able to drill into the body and perform surgery. |
1966 | Fusion Sunlight Tube (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) Central light source for a spun cylinder space station. |
1966 | Voice-Enabled Smartphone (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A smartphone capable of complete voice-enabled operation. |
1966 | Cellphone Tranquilizing Spray (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A mild sedative administered automatically by your cellphone. |
1966 | Self-Guided Tractors (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A farm vehicle that drives itself. |
1966 | Bubbleworld (from At the Bottom of a Hole by Larry Niven) A rigid space station that is shaped like a cylinder, rotated to achieve centripetal gravity. |
1966 | Belter (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) A person who was born and raised in the asteroid belt around Sol. |
1966 | Gravity Planer (from The Warriors by Larry Niven) Device that creates a gravity field. |
1966 | Self-Assembling Robots (from The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz) Robots with the capacity to assemble themselves from components, and then switch themselves on. |
1966 | Sheem Spider Robot (from The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz) A robotic spider. |
1966 | Right Angle Projectile (from The Mad Metropolis by Philip E. High) A missile that turns at right angles after being fired. |
1966 | Computer Humorist (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A computer acquires the ability to tell original jokes. |
1966 | Filing Crystal (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Part kiosk, part storage system. |
1966 | Telepathic Transmitter (Telep-transmitter) (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A device using living alien tissue to transmit your thoughts. |
1966 | Lunar Ice Mining (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) The practice of mining for ice on the moon. |
1966 | Erased Memory (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A procedure that deletes selected memories from the human mind. |
1966 | Vision Implant (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) Photoelectric cell implanted in the forehead grants some vision to the blind. |
1966 | Auto-Driven Auto (Spinner) (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) A vehicle that accepts coordinates and proceeds to its destination automatically. |
1966 | Stellarimeter (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Used by space navigators. |
1966 | Voice Dialing (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Speak the name of the person and call them on the phone. |
1966 | TW-55 Spy (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Conscious control of facial characteristics. |
1966 | Lunar Greenhouse Tunnel (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A multipurpose conservatory on the Moon. |
1966 | Miniaturization (from Fantastic Voyage (Novel) by Isaac Asimov) Making a physical object smaller in size. |
1966 | Auto-Navigation (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) Automatic car navigation, provided on a video console in the dashboard. |
1966 | Vivatape (from Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany) Perfectly seals cuts also helps through-skin implants heal. |
1966 | Ro-Womb (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) Device enfolds the patient during therapy. |
1966 | Dream Console (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) Device allows a therapist to enter and create dreams in patients. |
1966 | Artificial Gill Outfit (from We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick) A diving suit that pulls air from the water. |
1966 | Big Screen Control (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) Display content from your personal device on a large shared screen. |
1966 | Virtual Reality Video Game (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A description of a computer game simulation played in real time as entertainment. |
1966 | Networked Personal Device (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) The idea that the true power of a mobile device lies in it's backend network capabilities. |
1966 | Neuristor (from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein) A solid-state computer component that mimics the human neuron. |
1966 | Virtual Keyboard (from The Age of The Pussyfoot by Frederik Pohl) A keyboard that appears at the right moment in game play. |
1966 | Life Recorder (from The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) by Roger Zelazny) Record the details of your life. |
1967 | Soft Weapon (from The Soft Weapon by Larry Niven) A device that changes its shape to alter its function. |
1967 | Purple Wage (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Guaranteed subsidy paid to every citizen. |
1967 | Floating Booths (from Handicap by Larry Niven) Comfortable bar booths that float around and come together for conversation. |
1967 | Win-Reducing Gambling Circuit (from Return Match by Philip K. Dick) Circuitry in a game that detects winning strategies and then alters the game to make winning more difficult. |
1967 | Embryonic Robots (from Counter Clock World by Philip K. Dick) Very small robots, possibly a very early reference to nanotechnology in science fiction. |
1967 | Syrup Sac (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) A device used to provide an efficient source of nutrition to Meks, servants of the aristocrats of Earth. |
1967 | Skycycle (from Handicap by Larry Niven) A flying Harley; motorcycle of the skies. |
1967 | Mining Disintegrator (from The Arsenal Out of Time by David McDaniel) A special-purpose boring machine. |
1967 | Dolphin's Hands (from Handicap by Larry Niven) Digital prosthetic for dolphins. |
1967 | Mechanical Cobra (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) An assassination device; senses brain waves to find its victim. |
1967 | AM (from I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison) A supercomputer that hates. |
1967 | Specific Gene Weapon (from The Mannichon Solution by Irwin Shaw) An organic or inorganic weapon aimed at a specific genetic population. |
1967 | Rogue Planet (from Satan's World by Poul Anderson) A planet without a sun, it wanders through galactic space. |
1967 | Organlegging (from The Jigsaw Man by Larry Niven) Technology needed to deal in illicitly obtained body parts. |
1967 | Sub-microscopic Medical Robots (from These Savage Futurians by Philip E. High) Tiny robots travel the bloodstream, killing bacteria. |
1967 | Fido (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Combination television, news camera and surveillance device. |
1967 | Power-Wagon (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) Wagon powered by muscular creature from Etamin 9; uses carbohydrate syrup for fuel. |
1967 | Shuttlecraft (from Star Trek by Author Unknown) A small spaceship designed for short journeys. |
1967 | Fornixation (from Riders of the Purple Wage by Philip Jose Farmer) Electrical stimulation of the pleasure centers of the brain. |
1967 | Slowboat (from The Ethics of Madness by Larry Niven) An interstellar craft carrying people. |
1967 | Pray-Machine (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) A kind of energy receiver that could retrieve a soul from the radiation belt surrounding a planet. |
1967 | Full-Shift Set Variable (from Return Match by Philip K. Dick) Infinite possibilities built into a game machine. |
1967 | Sleep Pod (from Mantis by Chris Boyce) A special place for snoozing. |
1967 | Energy-Cannon (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) Device projects destructive power. |
1967 | Multifunction Gun (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) Offers a selection of lethal and non-lethal alternatives. |
1967 | Palm Flower (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) It's like a life clock. |
1967 | Cloud Sculpting (from The Cloud Sculptors of Coral D by J.G. Ballard) Using gliders and chemical showers to shape clouds artistically. |
1967 | Homer (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A device fired from a gun that ends the life of a citizen, based on the color of their palm flower. |
1967 | Tangler (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) Strong webbing in a tiny capsule, it expands to a net, capturing a suspect. |
1967 | Lift Chair (from The Last Castle by Jack Vance) A single occupant lifted by great birds. |
1967 | Pray-o-Mat (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) A device that would offer prayers in exchange for a few coins properly deposited. |
1967 | Vapor Charge (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A bullet that discharges gas. |
1967 | Sleepshop (from Logan's Run by William Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson)) A quiet place to die. |
1967 | Scientific Reincarnation (from Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny) Technology to allow a person to transfer themselves to a new, healthy body. |
1968 | Electric Cat (Robot Cat) (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A robot presenting the appearance of a common domestic cat. |
1968 | Electro-Binox (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) Binoculars with electronic focusing. |
1968 | Cyborg Collar (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) A device worn around the neck that controls the person for the duration of a working day. |
1968 | Replicant (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) An android; an artificial human being. |
1968 | Crackers (from The Time Mercenaries by Philip E. High) Bouncing, explosive mines. |
1968 | HAL 9000 (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) The canonical example of an artificially intelligent computer. |
1968 | TMA-1 (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) The Tycho Monolith. |
1968 | Newspad (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A notebook-sized computer and display screen for reading news stories or other text matter. |
1968 | Mobile Lab (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) |
1968 | Nexus-7 Android (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The next version after the Nexus-6. |
1968 | Andy (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A slang term for "android" - an artificially created humanoid being. |
1968 | Cheekplate Container (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) Special compartment of an exoskeleton; provides easy access to medical supplies related to survive heavy gravity environments. |
1968 | Electric Sheep (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) An electronic farm animal; a non-organic robot covered with sheepskin that acts like a sheep. |
1968 | Sleep Generator (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) An automated way to impose sleep on the brain. |
1968 | Disease Circuit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A feature of robotic animals which indicated a need to repair by emulating animal sickness. |
1968 | Penfield Wave Transmitter (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device that directs some sort of energy wave into a person's brain, allowing them to experience a chosen (dialed) mood. |
1968 | Oat-Tropic Circuit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A robotic feature that caused electronic animals to move toward offered food. |
1968 | Kipple (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The collection of useless bits of trash we wallow in; all the paper and junk that is not recycled. |
1968 | Nexus-6 Brain Unit (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) The processing power behind android intelligence. |
1968 | Steam Rifle (from Omnivore by Piers Anthony) A gun that propels projectiles with steam. |
1968 | Voight-Kampff Empathy Test (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A test consisting of a set of images and questions, asked while the subject's biometric data are gathered; intended to separate humans from non-humans. |
1968 | Android Safety Mechanism (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device that temporarily incapacitates an android. |
1968 | Mood Organ (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A device which allows you to dial the mood you would like to have. |
1968 | Mercy Rifle (from Grendel by Larry Niven) Device fired slivers of anesthetic as darts. |
1968 | Artificially Grown Organs (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) Human organs suitable for transplantation, grown outside the body. |
1968 | Illyrion (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) Super-heavy and super-stable elements with atomic numbers greater than 296. |
1968 | Newspad Electronic Newspaper (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) An electronic version of a newspaper. |
1968 | Total Environmental and Mental Simulator (from Crown of Infinity by John M. Faucette) An AI that could create and discard whole branches of science in pursuing the answer to a problem. |
1968 | Hibernaculum (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A small, self-contained chamber in which a person could endure months of enforced sleep. |
1968 | Sinclair Molecule Chain (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) A monofilament fiber, used for strength. |
1968 | Mining Worm (Organic) (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) Genetically altered earthworm created just for mining. |
1968 | Wholographik (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) Hologram-style picture. |
1968 | Auto-Seal (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) Automatically deployed cover for power outlets; instant child-proofing. |
1968 | Sun Goggles (from Grendel by Larry Niven) Lenses darken in spots to block the brightness of alien suns. |
1968 | Karatand (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) A special glove made of impact-sensitive plastic. |
1968 | Emergency Shelter (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A small cubicle that provides a last refuge in case the spacecraft's atmosphere is lost. |
1968 | Exoskeleton (Medical) (from A Specter is Haunting Texas by Fritz Leiber) Specially designed for Thins, eight-foot tall microgravity humans. |
1968 | Flex-Wheels (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) Special wheels designed for getting around on the Moon. |
1968 | Synthesist (from Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner) A person who did nothing but make cross-references between one field and another. |
1968 | Slow Glass (Scenedow) (from Light of Other Days by Bob Shaw) A window made of Bose-Einstein Condensate that slows light to a snail's pace. |
1968 | Robot Bird (from Invader on My Back by Philip E. High) A small winged UAV that can mimic a bird in flight. |
1968 | Panic Alarm (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) Alarm senses intruders and instills mindless panic. |
1968 | False Animal Repairman (from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A specialized roboticist who repaired robotic animals. |
1968 | Robot Self-Assembly (from Meccano by Hugo Correa) A robot separated into many pieces reassembles itself. |
1968 | Icon Thumbsized Image (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) A very early reference to a screen icon. |
1968 | Loitering Micro-Missile (from Invader on My Back by Philip E. High) A small missile that does not need line-of-sight and can move at a slow pace until it finds its target. |
1968 | Grip Shoes (from 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke) Shoes with velcro soles used to walk in weightless environments. |
1968 | Stasis Box (from There is a Tide by Larry Niven) A space entirely enclosed by a Slaver stasis field, in which time does not pass. |
1968 | Architectural Coral (from A Gift From Earth by Larry Niven) A structure grown to a specific shape using small coral-like organisms. |
1968 | Seven Vane Starship (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) A faster-than-light ship with seven vanes of energy controlled by human nervous systems. |
1968 | Sensory-Syrynx (from Nova by Samuel R. Delany) A complex musical instrument. |
1969 | Flying Robot Drone Probe (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A remote-controlled flying drone used for remote investigation and surveillance. |
1969 | Robotic Horse - Faithful Cybernetic Companion (from The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher Stasheff) A robot that is specifically designed to closely resemble a horse. |
1969 | Teep Rod (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A device that gathers the thoughts of an individual. |
1969 | Automated Drone Probes (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Human-sized robot probes for exploration. |
1969 | Drop-Capsule (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Minimal spaceship. |
1969 | Remote-Control Slavery (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Mental control (possibly mediated by radio waves) of individuals of other species. |
1969 | Ersatz Window (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A display device used in a room without an actual view of the outside; it shows a projection of a real scene. |
1969 | Rapid-Transit Hover Blimp (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Public transportation for a paranoid age. |
1969 | Mole Probe (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Automated devices that seek underground routes, burrowing as they go. |
1969 | Automatic Gun (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A sentry gun that could target and decide to fire without any human intervention. |
1969 | Nothing (from It was Nothing - Really! by Theodore Sturgeon) A super-hard substance created by carefully removing material. |
1969 | Droud (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A transformer to step down house current for the wire providing current directly to the pleasure center of the brain. |
1969 | Artiforg (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) An artificial organ kept 'on line' in the body. |
1969 | Mass Detector (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Hunting aid. |
1969 | Caliban Beachball (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Dwelling place for unusual lifeform who make jumpdoors possible. |
1969 | Voice Encyclopedia (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Access to information via robotic voice recognition over the phone. |
1969 | Automatic City (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A city designed to protect itself and maintain itself over millions of years. |
1969 | Tranquilizing Gum (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Chewing gum with a tranquilizing agent. |
1969 | 'Pape Machine (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Yet another name for the homeostatic newspaper; this one has special features including news search. |
1969 | Ident Darts (from The Electric Ant by Philip K. Dick) Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that track individuals. |
1969 | Voicecorder (from Whipping Star by Brian Herbert) A device that records verbal output and determines truth or falsehood. |
1969 | Tleilaxu Eyes (Metal Eyes) (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Tleilaxu eye surgery replaces natural eyeballs damaged or destroyed. |
1969 | Physiognomic Template (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A method for changing the appearance of your face at will. |
1969 | Parenthood Lottery (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) A means of restricting population growth. |
1969 | Viewing Tank (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A display monitor. |
1969 | Whologram (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Presents a realistic illusion. |
1969 | Window Wavelength (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Display's that provide 'views' as if they were windows. |
1969 | Device Replication (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) Manufacturing devices from a template to save space on space craft. |
1969 | Ultraflash (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A device that sterilizes the skin by a pulse of light. |
1969 | Vision Cube (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A solid-state memory device. |
1969 | Diagnostat (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A device able to diagnose and treat most human ailments. |
1969 | Ghola (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A living, functioning person who is regrown or recreated from the tissues of a dead person. |
1969 | Stillsuit Desert Boots (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Special boots that offered parasitic power harvesting. |
1969 | Messagecraft (from The Faithful Messenger by George Scithers) An autonomous spacecraft and drone that serves as a communication node in a network that spans star systems. |
1969 | Automatic Vein Finder (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A device to automatically locate veins for intravenous needle insertion. |
1969 | Electronic Body Analyzer (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A replacement for the human doctor. |
1969 | Face Dancer (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Mimicry enhanced through genetic manipulation. |
1969 | Protective Field (Safety Field) (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) An static energy field used to protect a city. |
1969 | Gyrocar (Gyro) (from The Ring by Piers Anthony (w/R. Margroff)) A gyroscopically stabilized car; a one-wheeled vehicle. |
1969 | Claim Beacon (from Retief, the Long-Awaited Master by Keith Laumer) A electronic device that proclaims that a planet has been claimed by a given party. |
1969 | Toll Door (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) An apartment door that operates on a cash-only basis. |
1969 | Homeopape (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A automated device that produces a newspaper without human assistance. |
1969 | Recording Eye (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A surveillance device that can survive being dropped from space; transmits images in a wide view. |
1969 | Jumpdoor (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) The entrance to an energy passage providing instantaneous transportation between points across the galaxy. |
1969 | Stone Burner (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) Atomic weapon which burrows deep into a planet; its radiation also attacks selected nerve tissues. |
1969 | Memory Plastic (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) Takes various shapes impressed into it on command. |
1969 | Automated Apartment Maintenance (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Automated devices that would oversee the maintenance of a rented apartment. |
1969 | Plastic-Eating Bacteria (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) Mutated bacteria able to 'eat' or dissolve rubber and plastic. |
1969 | Construct (from Retief, the Long-Awaited Master by Keith Laumer) An artificial being, a pastiche of living and robotic pieces. |
1969 | Teddy (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) A very intelligent and highly mobile robotic teddy bear. |
1969 | Self-Powered Broom (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A broom for use in small apartments that cleans under its own power. |
1969 | Mnemonic Flutter System (Pulse-Sychronizer) (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A device to imprint particular facts from a book upon the brain of the reader. |
1969 | Project Scoop (from The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton) A space craft feature that collects dust for study. |
1969 | Rod (from Wolfling by Gordon R. Dickson) In a fight, it is used in a manner similar to a sword and a flamethrower. |
1969 | Rubber Hoof (from The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher Stasheff) Silent running for robot horses. |
1969 | Moratorium (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A place that kept people in cold-pac after death, providing them a kind of half-life. |
1969 | Protophason Amplifier (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) Detects brain activity of those in half-life. |
1969 | Crosswell Tape Worm (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Device that allows you to eat without gaining weight. |
1969 | Sniggertrance (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) The state of a person receiving a call mediated by a Taprisiot; interiorized consciousness accompanied by spastic, jerking body movements. |
1969 | Spray-Foam Blouse (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Clothing that is sprayed on fresh. |
1969 | Padre Booth (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) Device that provides religious aid and comfort on demand. |
1969 | Geriatric Rooming-House (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) An apartment building with rooms built especially with the very senior citizen in mind. |
1969 | Weightless Work Area (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A small workspace within which there is no gravitational pull. |
1969 | SSA Machine (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A machine that compares two people for compatibility; it sees sub specie aeternitatis, literally 'under the aspect of eternity' or outside of time. |
1969 | Synthetic Flesh (from Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss) Provides robots with realistic coverings, not just plastic. |
1969 | Book of the Kalends (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) The ever-changing book without a title; the documented history of a world. |
1969 | Bot (from We All Died At Breakaway Station by Richard Meredith) The first use of this contraction for "robot". |
1969 | Cold-Pac Bin (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) A special coffin-sized chamber used to maintain half-life. |
1969 | Artificial Telepathy (from We All Died At Breakaway Station by Richard Meredith) Using technology to determine thoughts, and then translate it to speech that could be shared electronically. |
1969 | Electrical Grandmother (Robot Grandma) (from I Sing The Body Electric! by Ray Bradbury) A robotic companion. |
1969 | Ubik Spray Can (from Ubik by Philip K. Dick) One of many definitions of Ubik. Take only as directed. |
1969 | Flight Stick (from The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven) A personal flying vehicle, stripped down to the basics. |
1969 | Ecstasy Plug (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) An implanted module that allowed a wirehead to plug himself into ordinary house current. |
1969 | Float-home (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Living entity genetically designed for use as a houseboat. |
1969 | Gravity Web (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Device for limiting the extent to which a person is subject to gravitational attraction. |
1969 | Pseudoflesh (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) Meat (protein) that is produced apart from an animal; great steaks without rumination. |
1969 | Vortal Tube (from Whipping Star by Frank Herbert) An energy passage providing instantaneous transportation between points across the galaxy |
1969 | Membrane Balloon Helmet (from The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven) A selectively permeable membrane worn as a helmet. |
1969 | Webfoam Cradle (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A means of softening the landing for humans inside spacecraft. |
1969 | Disruptor Bomb (from The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg) A bomb with a very special purpose; when detonated in space, it makes it impossible to detect the center of the explosion from the dispersion of the fragments. |
1969 | Singleship (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A spacecraft designed for use by one person. |
1969 | Multi-function Living Room (from Death by Ecstasy by Larry Niven) A small living space with a variety of functions built-in. |
1969 | Axolotl Tank (from Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert) A device to regenerate or reshape organic material. |
1969 | Psycho-Lease Encephalic Gadget (from Galactic Pot-Healer by Philip K. Dick) A device that provided the conviction that a faked scene was, in fact, real. |
1969 | Reality Tape (from The Electric Ant by Philip K. Dick) The medium upon which the life experience of an electric ant - a robotic person - is presented. |
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(See More Science Fiction in the News)
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