E.E. 'Doc' Smith: Science Fiction Technology and Ideas

E.E. 'Doc' Smith:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas

Edward Elmer Smith (1890-1965) was the science fiction author who wrote the Lensman series and the Skylark series. He was born in Idaho; he received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from George Washington University in 1919. He worked as a 'food technologist' for the Dawn Doughnut Company, then worked for the US Army from 1941-1945. His novels are considered by most fans to be the progenitors of the 'space opera' genre; Smith himself stated that he preferred to invent fictional technologies that are not strictly impossible.

Invention/Technology	Source Work (Publication Date)
3D Tank Display A transparent cube showing a three-dimensional display.	Triplanetary (1934)
Ablative Heat (Reentry) Shield - very early reference A single-use shield or covering designed to accept the heat of reentry and burn off.	Triplanetary (1934)
Acceleration-tank - very early reference A water-filled tank used to ease the strains of acceleration.	Triplanetary (1934)
Airlock An intermediate chamber between airless space and the interior of a space craft.	Skylark of Space (1928)
Artificial eye - first use of this idea? A surgically-implanted artificial eyeball.	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Artificial Planet - before the Death Star A very large constructed object in space.	Triplanetary (1934)
Bergenholm Drive A device that renders a spaceship free of inertia.	Triplanetary (1934)
Black Coating - very early reference A material that absorbs practically all incident light.	Gray Lensman (1942)
Communicator A small device that works to communicate over large distances.	Skylark of Valeron (1934)
Cone of Battle - the ultimate weapon An offensive formation of space ships providing the ultimate in firepower.	Triplanetary (1934)
Deep-Space - my dwelling place Typically refers to the vast empty regions of interstellar space.	Triplanetary (1934)
Dekon Type DCQ - radiation decontamination Decontamination foam.	Subspace Explorers (1965)
Directrix Z9M9Z A control center ship for a vast space armada.	Gray Lensman (1942)
Drop Shaft (Neutralization of Inertia) - watch that first step An 'elevator shaft' in which the user can fall at the speed of gravity, then be stopped without inertia (i.e., instantly).	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Emergency Lifeboat - very early space rescue vehicle A small craft used as a bail-out vehicle from a large space station or spacecraft.	Triplanetary (1934)
Ether-Wall - an invisibility field. An invisibility field.	Triplanetary (1934)
Extradimensional - out of here From another dimension.	Skylark of Valeron (1934)
Face-Plate The transparent front of a space suit helmet.	Skylark Three (1930)
Flitter A small craft used for short-range journeys.	Vortex Blaster (1941)
Flying Harness Device allows free movement in the air.	Skylark of Space (1928)

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