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)
Radio-Dirigible Torpedo A drone missile that is controlled remotely by an operator.	Triplanetary (1934)
Shield Early name for a defensive force field.	Skylark Three (1930)
Spacehound An experienced spaceman.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Spy Ray Goggles - see through walls A form of radiation that can penetrate walls to allow the user to 'see' what is happening on the other side.	Triplanetary (1934)
Standish - a mean beam of energy A beam weapon of frightful intensity.	Triplanetary (1934)
Super-Weapon - first use of term A generic term for an advanced destructive device or technology.	Robot Nemesis (1939)
Thionite A deadly drug.	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Thought-Screen - stop alien mind control A device that prevents other people from taking over control of your thoughts and mind.	Gray Lensman (1942)
Tight-Beam - hard to find A method of communication that uses a very narrowly-focused stream of energy.	Skylark Three (1930)
Tractor Beam - pulling force at a distance A force field used to pull objects.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Two-Wheeled Ground Car - gyro-stabilized A gyro-stabilized vehicle like an enclosed motorcycle.	First Lensman (1950)
Ultra-Communicator A communication system that transfers voice commands from one person to selected others.	Galactic Patrol (1937)
Ultra-Light Vision System A viewing technology able to see through and even within most objects.	Spacehounds of IPC (1931)
Ultrawave - FTL communication A means of faster-than-light (FTL) communication.	Triplanetary (1934)
Vacuum Armor An armor-plated space suit.	Skylark Three (1930)
Visiplate - early flat panel viewer A flat screen for viewing remote images.	Skylark Three (1930)

First

(Records 41 to 56 of 56)

(Press the Refresh button on your browser if you see a generic ad)
<MAP NAME="boxmap-p15"><AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="7, 224, 96, 232" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" target=main><AREA COORDS="0,0,10000,10000" HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/technovelgyco-20" target=main></MAP><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/468x240.gif" width="468" height="240" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p15" alt="Shop at Amazon.com">

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions and technology 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.

New on Site

Celestial Atlas
( 11/17/2024)

Landing Legs
( 11/17/2024)

Command-Disk
( 11/16/2024)

Cometeering
( 11/16/2024)

Ascension-Framework
( 11/15/2024)

Space-Phone
( 11/15/2024)

Funnel-Shaped Landing Framework
( 11/15/2024)

Landing Arms
( 11/15/2024)

Wind-Suncatcher
( 11/13/2024)

Opaque Helmet
( 11/13/2024)

	Home \| Glossary \| Invention Timeline \| Category \| New \| Contact Us \| FAQ \| Advertise \| Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™ Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.