Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Entertaining space adventure novel; not a grand space opera, the events of this novel take place close to home. This novel has a very early scientifically accurate description of a lunar habitat; however, the novel also refers improbably to an asteroid with an atmosphere and a small sea. (Did I say "improbable"? See the story on the possibility of an ancient ocean on Ceres!)


Select an invention:

Artificial Gravity - first mention
Procuring gravitational forces without a suitably large mass.

Asteroid From Outside Solar System
An asteroid or similar body that comes from outside the solar system; an interstellar body.

Dome Shelter - first reference
A permanent domed structure for living on the Moon.

Eavesdropping Ray - hears through walls
A device that allows others to hear from outside ordinary locked rooms.

Glassite
A transparent material of great strength.

Gravity Assist - very early use
Using the gravity and orbital speed of a celestial body to change speed and course of a spacecraft.

Invisible Cloak -long before Harry Potter
A cloak that renders the wearer invisible.

Low-scale Detectors
Magnifies even the smallest sound.

Lunar Mining - moon mining camp
Very early (first?) reference to mining operations on the moon.

Moon Walk - presages Apollo
Very early realistic depiction of walking on the moon in low gravity.

Oxygen Space Flare
A flare that burns inside a glass bulb with oxygen.

Paralyzing Ray - early use
Stops body motions.

Pencil Heat Ray - narrow beam
An offensive, man-portable heat ray.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find
new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
re: William Gibson
(3/25/2025)

Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
re: Chris Boyce
(3/21/2025)

Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
re: Anthony Boucher
(3/17/2025)

JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
re: George Lucas
(3/15/2025)

Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
re: Bruce Sterling
(3/13/2025)

Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
re: Philip K. Dick
(3/11/2025)

Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
re: Katsuhiro Otomo
(3/9/2025)

Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
re: Neal Stephenson
(3/7/2025)

Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
re: Larry Niven
(3/5/2025)

TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
re: Larry Niven
(3/3/2025)

Harvard Metamaterials Change Structure Instantly
re: Samuel R. Delany
(3/1/2025)

SnapBot Robots - You Choose Their Legs And They Choose Their Gaits
re: Milton K Smith
(2/27/2025)

Dino From Magical Toys An AI Companion To Children
re: Anne McCaffrey
(2/25/2025)

Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
re: Isaac Asimov
(2/23/2025)

More SF in the News

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.