|
Date |
Device Name (Novel Author) |
| 1634 |
Landing on the Moon (from Somnium (The Dream) by Johannes Kepler)
Men from the earth land on the Moon. |
| 1634 |
Launch Shock (from Somnium (The Dream) by Johannes Kepler)
Astronauts need protection from the shock of being launched into space. |
| 1634 |
Astronaut Sleep (from Somnium (The Dream) by Johannes Kepler)
The idea that there is a benefit to putting astronauts to sleep during space travel. |
| 1634 |
Weightlessness (Kepler) (from Somnium (The Dream) by Johannes Kepler)
The notion that there could be a location with zero effective gravity. |
| 1638 |
Weightlessness in Space (from The Man in the Moone by Francis Godwin)
This appears to be the first description of the idea of weightlessness in space. |
| 1638 |
Gansas (from The Man in the Moone by Francis Godwin)
Migratory birds that fly all the way to the Moone. |
| 1657 |
Rocket-Powered Space Flight (from A Voyage to the Moon by Cyrano de Bergerac)
A device that could power a man from the surface of the Earth to that of the Moon. |
| 1666 |
Ship That Swims Under Water (Submarine) (from The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World by Margaret Cavendish)
A Ship that could swim under Water. |
| 1705 |
Consolidator (from The Consolidator by Daniel Defoe)
A craft for embarking on voyages through space. |
| 1705 |
Cogitator (The Chair of Reflection) (from The Consolidator by Daniel Defoe)
A device which improves the rationality of the thinking processes. |
| 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 |
Geometric Modeling (from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift)
The first recorded use of geometric figures to directly represent, or model, living beings. |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
| 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 |
Automaton Steam Surgeon (from The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century by Jane Webb Loudon)
Mechanized surgery. |
| 1846 |
Feeding Room (from Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) by Emile Souvestre)
An automated child care. |
| 1846 |
Forced Scholars (from Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) by Emile Souvestre)
Hothouse intellectuals. |
| 1846 |
Express Dolphin (from Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) by Emile Souvestre)
A most agreeable means of locomotion under the waves. |
| 1846 |
Passenger-Carrying Mortar (from Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) by Emile Souvestre)
A unique way of crossing a river, without a boat or a bridge. |
| 1846 |
Steam Horse (from Le Monde Tel Qu'il Sera (The World As It Shall Be) by Emile Souvestre)
A remarkable mechanical beast. |
| 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 |
Launching Facility (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne)
A specific spot with support for a space launch. |
| 1867 |
Gourmet Space Cuisine (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne)
The finest in French cuisine, in outer space. |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Air Renewal (from From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne)
Re-oxygenating the air within the projectile spacecraft. |
| 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 |
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 |
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. |
| 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. |
| 1868 |
Steam Man (from The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis)
A mechanical robot powered by steam. |
| 1868 |
Burn the Ship (from Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne)
Utilize parts of the ship as fuel for forward movement. |
| 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! |
| 1869 |
Brick Moon (from The Brick Moon by Edward Everett Hale)
An artificial satellite or space station with living quarters for passengers. |
| 1871 |
Fossil Shell Coin (from The Coming Race by Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
The use of rare natural shells of an extinct species, for money. |
| 1872 |
Mechanical Consciousness (from Erewhon by Samuel Butler)
The notion that machines may develop a form of consciousness. |
| 1875 |
Undersea Mining (from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne)
Conducting mining operations on the sea floor. |
| 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 |
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 |
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. |
| 1877 |
Telepomp (Matter Transmission) (from The Man Without a Body by Edward Page Mitchell)
A device that transmitted matter from one place to another. |
| 1877 |
Sheep's Lozenge (from The Fatal Curiosity, or, A Hundred Years Hence by James Payn)
The nutritious portion of an entire sheep, in one pill. |
| 1879 |
Suspended Animation (Frigorific Process) (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell)
Very early reference to cryogenic storage. |
| 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 |
Compact Food Pastilles (Food Pill) (from The Senator's Daughter by Edward Page Mitchell)
One small tablet is a month's worth of food. |
| 1880 |
Trip to Mars (from Across the Zodiac by Percy Greg)
A voyage across space to the planet Mars. |
| 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 |
Chemical Production of Food (from Mizora: A Prophecy by Mary E. Bradley Lane)
Creation of food in the laboratory rather than in the field. |
| 1881 |
Dutch Clock (Time Machine) (from The Clock That Went Backward by Edward Page Mitchell)
A tall Dutch clock with hands that move... backward. |
| 1882 |
Telephonoscope (from Le Vingtième Siècle (The Twentieth Century) by Albert Robida)
A device that effectively transmits pictures and sound over long distances. |
| 1885 |
Electric-Yacht (from A Strange Trip by John Baker Hopkins)
A surface vessel powered entirely by electricity. |
| 1885 |
Food Pills (from A Strange Trip by John Baker Hopkins)
A substitute for ordinary nutrition. |
| 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. |
| 1887 |
Food Pellets (from The Republic of the Future by Anna Dodd)
Sustenance in a concentrated form. |
| 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. |
| 1888 |
Mall (Great City Bazaar) (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy)
An aggregation of shops under one roof. |
| 1888 |
Credit Card (from Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy)
A simple card that is used in place of money |
| 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 |
Phonotelephote (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne)
A means of transmitting and receiving both voice and picture for a personal conversation. |
| 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 |
Atmospheric Advertising (from In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne)
A means of mass advertising to cities and countries. |
| 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. |
| 1893 |
Life Phial (from Improvements So Extraordinary The World Will Shudder by Mary Elizabeth Lease)
Similar to a food pill, food in concentrated form. |
| 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. |
| 1893 |
War-Balloon (Navigable Aerostat) (from The Angel of the Revolution by George Griffith)
Enormous dirigible airships used for war. |
| 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 Protection-Wires (Electrified Fence) (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
An electric fence. |
| 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 |
Windmill Mast (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
Enclosed machinery in large masts powers ships. |
| 1894 |
Magnetic Railroads (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
A scheme for powering railroads using enormous electromagnets. |
| 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 |
Rooftop Windmill (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
Renewable energy source for the home. |
| 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 |
Electric Car Recharging Station (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
A public place for recharging electric cars. |
| 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 |
Space-ship (from A Journey In Other Worlds by John Jacob Astor IV)
A space-going vessel. |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
| 1895 |
Atomic Microscopy (from The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie)
A device that can actually visualize a individual molecule and its parts. |
| 1895 |
Atomic Energy (from The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie)
Splitting the atom to create a destructive force. |
| 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 |
Submarine Tube (from An Express of the Future by Michel Verne)
A means of transport between Europe and North America via underwater tubes. |
| 1895 |
Government Lethal Chamber (from The Repairer of Reputations by Robert W. Chambers)
A legal suicide booth. |
| 1895 |
Undersea City (from The Crystal City Under the Sea by Andre Laurie)
A great city under the sea, covered by a crystal dome. |
| 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. |
| 1896 |
Dimension (from The Plattner Story by H.G. Wells)
Describes a reality separate from our own. |
| 1896 |
Monsters Manufactured (from The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells)
Dr. Moreau demonstrates the plasticity of the organic form. |
| 1896 |
Fulgurator (from Facing The Flag by Jules Verne)
An 'autopropulsive projectile'. |
| 1897 |
Life-Brew (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop)
A non-alcoholic beverage, but similar to wine. |
| 1897 |
Automatic Shell (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton)
A projectile that bores through obstacles - even the Earth! |
| 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 |
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 |
Artificial Silk (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop)
A fabric like silk produced entirely without silkworms. |
| 1897 |
Magnetic Shell (from The Great Stone of Sardis by Frank Stockton)
A munition that is powerfully attracted to ferrous ships. |
| 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 |
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 |
Helium Metal (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop)
An ore with the spectroscopic line of Helium. |
| 1897 |
Electric Bicycle (from In the Deep of Time by George Parsons Lathrop)
A two-wheeled device utilizing stored electricity as motive power. |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
Gravitational Wave Viewer (from Two Planets by Kurd Lasswitz)
A device used to see at astronomical distances. |
| 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 |
Metallic 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 |
Black Smoke (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells)
A smoke or vapor dispensed in canisters. |
| 1898 |
Autonomous Digging Machine (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells)
A mechanical device able to excavate on its own. |
| 1898 |
Aerial Telegraph (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss)
Communication between individuals in spacesuits. |
| 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 |
Robot Biomimicry (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells)
Endowing robots with an organic-appearing fluidity, rather than mechanical motion. |
| 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 |
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 |
Spacewalk (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss)
Going outside your space craft for a short time. |
| 1898 |
Disintegrator (from Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss)
A device that causes objects to burst into molecular pieces. |
| 1898 |
Heat Ray (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells)
First use of what appears to be a laser weapon. |
| 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 |
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 |
Tripod (from The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells)
An enormous metallic robot. |
| 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. |
| 1899 |
Aerodrome (Ærodromes) (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird)
Flying machines. |
| 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 |
Nutritious Pellets (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird)
Food in pill form. |
| 1899 |
Automatic Valet (from Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 by Arthur Bird)
A robotic manservant. |
| 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 |
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 |
Aeropile (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
A fluttering wing airplane for a few passengers. |
| 1899 |
General Intelligence Machine (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
News and information from one device. |
| 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 |
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 |
Networked World (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
Very early description of our dependence on technology and communication. |
| 1899 |
Electric-Automatic Household Robot Cook (from Ely's Automatic Housemaid by Elizabeth Bellamy)
A robot chef - an Electric-Automatic Household Beneficent Genius! |
| 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 |
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 |
Automated Surface Measurement (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
A mechanical method of accurately measuring a surface. |
| 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 |
Automatic Door (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
A wall strip that rolls up automatically to let you through. |
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
Eadhamite (from When the Sleeper Wakes by H.G. Wells)
Synthetic material that creates extremely smooth roads. |
