Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Timeline
of Science Fiction Ideas, Technology and Inventions
(sorted by Publication Date)
Most of these items are linked to information about similar real-life inventions and inventors; click on an invention to learn more about it.
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| Date | Device Name (Novel Author) |
| 1940 | Atomic Automatic (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Fires a special, rocket-like bullet. |
| 1940 | Humanoid (from Homo Sol by Isaac Asimov) An alien with a human-like shape and appearance. |
| 1940 | Planetfall (from Quicksands of Youthwardness by Malcolm Jameson) Making a landing on a planet from space. |
| 1940 | Barrier (Force Field) (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Force-field fence. |
| 1940 | Steel Tortoise (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) An all-terrain vehicle, grandfather to the four-wheeler. |
| 1940 | Test Box (from The Devil's Pocket by F.E. Hardart) A remote-controlled device for capturing small objects from open space. |
| 1940 | Life-Ship (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An emergency escape or survival craft. |
| 1940 | Voder (from Exit From Asteroid 60 by D.L. James) Device that produces speech by purely mechanical means. |
| 1940 | Gravitational Disks (from Revolt on Io by Jack West) Maintain your footing on those low-gravity celestial bodies. |
| 1940 | Solar Reception Screen (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A device for converting sunlight to electricity |
| 1940 | Merry-Go-Round Life Suspension (Refrigerator Plant) (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A device that offered cold sleep. |
| 1940 | Trumpaphone (from The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years by Don Wilcox) A loud, brassy instrument. |
| 1940 | Robot Suicide (from Adam Link's Vengeance by Eando Binder) A robot decides to commit suicide, and sets up a mechanism to put his decision into effect. |
| 1940 | Paralyzing Gun (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Renders senseless any human in its path. |
| 1940 | Atomic Blast Weapon (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Reduces the target to atoms. |
| 1940 | Escape Port (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) Emergency egress from a space ship for one person. |
| 1940 | Space Tramp (from The Invisible World by Ed Earl Repp) An old, slow spacecraft. |
| 1940 | Stratospheric Traffic (from The Great God Awto by Clark Ashton Smith) Bad traffic at every level. |
| 1940 | Bifocal TV Screen Lenses (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Using the bottom lens of bifocals as a TV screen. |
| 1940 | Death-Capsule (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) A tiny implanted explosive capsule can be activated remotely. |
| 1940 | Floating Villa (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) An artificial island several acres in extent. |
| 1940 | Planetary ID Card (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Identification for every person on every planet in the solar system. |
| 1940 | Dream-Machine (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) The mechanism that sent standardized dreams into the brain. |
| 1940 | Dream-Adventures (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) Dreams sent directly to the brain are more popular than movies. |
| 1940 | Lighting Panel (from Let There Be Light by Lyle Monroe) A large panel that presents illumination without heat. |
| 1940 | Solar Station Switch Room (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) A power station for the entire solar system. |
| 1940 | Solar Power Screen (from Let There Be Light by Lyle Monroe) Absorb all solar energy, and emit electrical energy. |
| 1940 | Hydroponics (from The Hydroponic Monster by Maria Moravsky) Growing food without soil, typically from water saturated with nutrients. |
| 1940 | Double-Pane Vacuum Window (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Double-pane glass separated by vacuum. |
| 1940 | Vacuum Wall Compartments (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) Shielding against heat by using walls with evacuated sections. |
| 1940 | Darkened Glass Face Plate (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) The use of darkened glass on the face plate of a space suit helmet to protect the wearer from solar radiation. |
| 1940 | San-Ray Projector (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) Device produces a habit-forming, nerve-tingling ray that clouds the mind. |
| 1940 | Rolling Road (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A set of fast-moving strips to move people over distances. |
| 1940 | Solid Power (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A concentrated form of easily accessed energy to supply any need. |
| 1940 | Dream-House (from Doom Over Venus by Edmond Hamilton) An establishment wherein one could find the finest dream adventures placed in his own mind. |
| 1940 | Tumblebug (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A monocycle; a motorcycle that balances on a single wheel. |
| 1940 | Conversion Gun (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) The ray converts the heat in an object to light. |
| 1940 | Gesturing Robot (from Robbie (Strange Playfellow) by Isaac Asimov) A robot that uses gestures to communicate. |
| 1940 | Telechronometer (from Blowups Happen by Robert Heinlein) A watch that synchronizes itself to a remote source. |
| 1940 | Hyperbolic Solenoid (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Device that creates and manipulates magnetic fields. |
| 1940 | Methuen Treatment (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Injections that increase intelligence. |
| 1940 | Slow Glass Rod (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A transparent glass rod that makes light travel so slowly that it can trap light within its depths. |
| 1940 | Atom-Shifter (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A device that 'softens' matter, making it possible for a person to pass through. |
| 1940 | Soft Speaker (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) A device that sends a tightly-controlled beam of sound. |
| 1940 | Rocket-Belt (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A single-user propulsion pack. |
| 1940 | Mind-Shield (from Slan by A.E. van Vogt) A mental defense or barrier that prevents access to one brain by another person or device. |
| 1940 | Paralysis Bomb (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A device like a hand grenade that released paralyzing radiation. |
| 1940 | Tesseract House (from -And He Built A Crooked House by Robert Heinlein) A house built in the shape of a four-dimensional figure. |
| 1940 | Childcare Robot (from Robbie (Strange Playfellow) by Isaac Asimov) A robot constructed to take care of a small child. |
| 1940 | Moon Skis (from Requiem by Robert Heinlein) Special wide skis for travel on lunar powder. |
| 1940 | Hush-a-Phone (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A special kind of telephone that reduced noise while talking. |
| 1940 | Vibroblade (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A knife-like weapon. |
| 1940 | Telelubricator (from The Exhalted by L. Sprague de Camp) Makes any surface or substance perfectly frictionless. |
| 1940 | Two-Wheeled Car (from The Roads Must Roll by Robert Heinlein) A small passenger vehicle with two centerline wheels. |
| 1940 | Iridium-Sponge Brain (from Adam Link's Vengeance by Eando Binder) A human-like metal brain for robots. |
| 1940 | Atom-Gun (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) A handheld device that sprays atomic fire. |
| 1940 | Neutronium Slippers (from Revolt on the Tenth World by Edmond Hamilton) Special footgear to keep ones footing in lower gravities. |
| 1940 | Tectogenetic (from Crisis in Utopia by Norman L. Knight) Deliberate manipulation of genes to produce unique species. |
| 1940 | Sunpower Screen (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) A solar cell array used to provide power for a vehicle. |
| 1940 | Knockdown Cabin (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) A portable shelter; had solid walls and could be assembled quickly. |
| 1940 | Talking Robot (from Robbie (Strange Playfellow) by Isaac Asimov) An impractical robot, for display only. |
| 1940 | Refreshing Chamber (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) Replaces the bathroom in the future history of Robert Heinlein. |
| 1940 | Space Shuttle (from Hell Ship of Space by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.) A space-going vessel for trips from the surface of a planet to a ship in orbit, and back. |
| 1940 | Synthetic Personality (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A artificial identity, a legal fiction of a person. |
| 1940 | Ferretscope (from If This Goes On... by Robert Heinlein) A counter-surveillance tool to detect the presence of listening devices. |
| 1940 | Electro-Automatic Pistol (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Circular, pocket-sized weapon. |
| 1940 | Pocket-Caller (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) Private communication device that fits in your pocket. |
| 1940 | Silk-Metal (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A very tough fabric. |
| 1940 | Radium-Action Lighter (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A personal device used to ignite tobacco products. |
| 1940 | Rocket Cruiser (from The Worlds of Tomorrow by Manly Wade Wellman) A privately owned space ship. |
| 1940 | Air Blast (from Coventry by Robert Heinlein) An air dryer for personal use. |
| 1940 | Synthetic Voice (from The Amazon Fights Again by Thornton Ayre) Artificial human speech. |
| 1940 | Cyclotronic Ore-Hurler (from Exit From Asteroid 60 by D.L. James) Using the magnetic properties of an asteroid to send ore hurling across space! |
| 1940 | Asbestos Sunshade (from The Achilles Heel by Raymond Z. Gallun) A means of shielding oneself from the sun's rays. |
| 1940 | Robots Build Robots (from Robbie (Strange Playfellow) by Isaac Asimov) Using robot labor exclusively to build more robots. |
| 1940 | Robot Prohibition (from Robbie (Strange Playfellow) by Isaac Asimov) Robots may not wander alone. |
| 1940 | Sun Plant (Solar Motor) (from The Lotus-Engine by Raymond Z. Gallun) A huge system of mirrors collects light and focuses it on a boiler for energy. |
| 1940 | Electrically Heated Clothes (from Repetition by A.E. van Vogt) Using artificial heating to counteract the cold of space. |
| 1940 | Synthetic Flesh (from The Amazon Fights Again by Thornton Ayre) Material resembles human flesh, handy for disguises. |
| 1940 | Grapple-Ray (from Exit From Asteroid 60 by D.L. James) A version of the tractor beam idea. |
| 1940 | Solar-Powered Electric Runabout (from Let There Be Light by Lyle Monroe) A vehicle powered from the sun. |
| 1940 | Air Scooter (from Space Double by Nat Schachner) A flying personal vehicle. |
| 1940 | Autosight Achronic Beam (from Hindsight by Jack Williamson) A range-finder for weaponry that isn't limited by time, for the ultimate in accuracy. |
| 1940 | Warp Drive (from The Tides of Time by R.M. Williams) Traveling across the gap between universes. |
| 1941 | Paralyzing Eye (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) False eye contains mechanism for causing brief paralysis. |
| 1941 | Lunar Used Spacecraft Lot (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A sales lot for used spacecraft |
| 1941 | Bee Wing (from Slacker's Paradise by Malcolm Jameson) A flapping wing aircraft in use on Mars. |
| 1941 | Improve Memory (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Help immortals make sense of their memories. |
| 1941 | Parking Orbit (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An orbit from which access to the planet's surface via a small auxiliary vessel is quick and uncomplicated. |
| 1941 | Fresher (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Short for "refreshing chamber,", it is the future of personal hygiene technology. |
| 1941 | Psycho-History (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) The application of psychology to historical data. |
| 1941 | Spacehound (Beast) (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Oddly canine, telepathic beast digs in asteroids for metal. |
| 1941 | Vanwinkling (from The Best-Laid Scheme by L. Sprague de Camp) Another name for time-traveling into the future. |
| 1941 | Momentum Screen (from Completely Automatic by Theodore Sturgeon) Allows a spacemen to avoid the problem of "high gee" forces on take-off. |
| 1941 | Dewlog (from The Traitor by Kurt von Rachen) A drug with the side-effect of virtually eliminating hunger. |
| 1941 | Metal Solvent Ray Thrower (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Acts like a flame thrower in space. |
| 1941 | Blastick (from The Traitor by Kurt von Rachen) A scorching beam weapon |
| 1941 | Newsbox (News-Receptor) (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Also referred to as a microviewer; could search media programming for news on a particular words used in the broadcast. |
| 1941 | Identification Beacon (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Radio pulse to identify orbiting craft. |
| 1941 | Automatic Refueling Screen (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Repels objects that are too big, and gathers small ones for fuel. |
| 1941 | Sleep Surrogate (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Pharmaceutical designed to make up for lost sleep. |
| 1941 | Electrono-Mirror (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Focuses the sun's rays on a planetary surface for terraforming purposes. |
| 1941 | Oxygen Freshener (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) A device that removed carbon dioxide from air and replaced it with fresh oxygen. |
| 1941 | Traffic Control Camera (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated camera system that photographs license plates as cars move past on a road system. |
| 1941 | Hypnosis Ray (from Beyond All Weapons by Eric Frank Russell) Eases the words of dictators into the minds of the credulous. |
| 1941 | Space Socks (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Protective garments for the lower extremities. |
| 1941 | Interplanetary Clearance (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Bureaucratic red tape associated with busy space ports. |
| 1941 | Young Blood - New Blood For Old (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Replacing the blood plasma of older people with material from younger people. |
| 1941 | Asteroid Lanes (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Regular routes traversed by asteroids. |
| 1941 | Space Rush (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) The Outer Space equivalent of the gold rush. |
| 1941 | Sleep Destroying Field (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) Causes lack of sleep. |
| 1941 | Delayed Action Stereoscopic Principle (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Distinguishing far off space craft by relative speed against the fixed stars. |
| 1941 | Howard Families (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A project designed to produce a group of people with exceptionally long life. |
| 1941 | Solar Energy Beam (from Masquerade by Clifford Simak) A solar energy plant on Mercury provides power for projects all over the solar system. |
| 1941 | Interplanetary Union Of Spacemen (from Old Fireball by Nat Schachner) An organized union of people who work in space. |
| 1941 | Automatic Speeding Fine (from Old Fireball by Nat Schachner) An automated device that not only computes the speed of a vehicle, but registers and then issues an electronic citation. |
| 1941 | Hypnotic injunction (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A method of hypnosis that prevents people from revealing particular information. |
| 1941 | Alterable License Number (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A device which permits a driver to alter the license plate without leaving the vehicle. |
| 1941 | Steel Crocodile (from Logic of Empire by Robert Heinlein) A boat specialized for swamps on Venus. |
| 1941 | A-Bomb (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Abbreviation for "atomic bomb". |
| 1941 | Flitter (from Vortex Blaster by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A small craft used for short-range journeys. |
| 1941 | Camden Speedster (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A super sports utility vehicle (SUV); it drives on the highway, the water and jumps into the air for short periods. |
| 1941 | Pocket Phone (or pocketphone) (from Lost Legacy by Robert Heinlein) A telephone that is not hard wired to the network; a mobile or cell phone. |
| 1941 | Solar Station (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) A satellite that gathers solar energy in space and then beams it to Earth (or other planetary surface). |
| 1941 | Magnetic Sandals (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Special footgear to walk in zero-gee spacecraft. |
| 1941 | Thermatite (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) Pure energy fuel mined on asteroids. |
| 1941 | Asteroid Claim Law (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) The legal steps required in claiming an asteroid |
| 1941 | Space Lawyer (Sky-Lawyer) (from Jurisdiction by Nat Schachner) A lawyer with special knowledge of space law. |
| 1941 | Space Tanned (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A tan acquired by being exposed to sunlight while outside the atmosphere. |
| 1941 | Robopsychologist (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) One who examines the thought processes of robots. |
| 1941 | Space Placers (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Miners who use placer mining techniques adapted from Earth geology. |
| 1941 | Mind Control Genetically Modified Food (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Plants that are modified to produce specific combinations of flavors. |
| 1941 | Squeaker (from Beast of Space by F.E. Hardart) Used to search out radium in asteroids. |
| 1941 | Epileptigenic Ray (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Ray causes uncontrollable spasms in human subjects. |
| 1941 | Pilot Beam (from Methuselah's Children by Murray Leinster) A signalling device that space craft in orbit descending to Earth could home in on and land. |
| 1941 | Magnetized Boots (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Special shoes to allow walking in and around a metal ship with no artificial gravity. |
| 1941 | 'Chatterbox' News-Receptor (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An appliance for listening to the news that lacked content controls. |
| 1941 | Roving Bomb (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Special zero-gee guided bomb. |
| 1941 | Trajectory Ship (from Logic of Empire by Robert Heinlein) A spaceship that takes the minimum energy route to another planet, with the passengers weightless. |
| 1941 | Space Overalls (from Lost Rocket by Manly Wade Wellman) Light-duty space suit. |
| 1941 | Talking Speedometer (from Biddiver by Theodore Sturgeon) A gauge that tells you its value verbally |
| 1941 | Controlway (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated highway system that takes full operational control of vehicles traveling upon it. |
| 1941 | Robot AI Driven Mad (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) Placing an artificial intelligence or autonomous robot in a situation in which its brain is unable to make a decision and is destroyed or driven mad. |
| 1941 | Automated Hotel Reservation (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A hotel that did not use clerks; a self-service hotel. |
| 1941 | Charted Planetoid Mines (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Charting the planetoids and minor bodies for mining purposes. |
| 1941 | Antigrav Boots (from The Day We Celebrate by Nelson S. Bond) Footgear that negate gravity. |
| 1941 | Space Station (from Backlash by Jack Williamson) A base of operations in space, typically in orbit around a larger body. |
| 1941 | Moon-Terror (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) A syndrome common to people who live in less than half Earth-normal gravity. |
| 1941 | Atmospherics Switchboard (from Lie on the Beam by John Victor Peterson) Make sure each hotel room has the right atmosphere from the right planet. |
| 1941 | Orbital Mirror (from Completely Automatic by Theodore Sturgeon) A huge reflective surface in orbit around a planet or moon, the purpose of which is to focus sunlight onto the surface. |
| 1941 | Solar Car (from The Man Who Bought Mars by Polton Cross) A car the energy for which comes from the sun. |
| 1941 | Stunner (from Fire-Power by S.D. Gottesman) A non-lethal weapon; typically used like a firearm but only renders its victim unconscious. |
| 1941 | Roboticist (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A person who creates or works with robots. |
| 1941 | Wall Screen (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) A large size display for video, anchored to a wall, or actually forming the wall itself. |
| 1941 | Psychophone (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) A device that allows the user to tune their mind to a future reality - a time-traveling device. |
| 1941 | Time Line (from Time Wants A Skeleton by Ross Rocklynne) The sequence of events leading up to, and past, this moment. |
| 1941 | Geodesic Inflexors (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Propulsion provided not by pushing against matter, but against spacetime. |
| 1941 | Anti-Robot Propaganda (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) Human activity against robots. |
| 1941 | Neoterics (from Microcosmic God by Theodore Sturgeon) Pure engineering genius on tap. |
| 1941 | Robopark (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An automated parking garage. |
| 1941 | Docking-Cradle (from They Never Came Back by Fritz Leiber) Holds a space craft in gravity. |
| 1941 | Positronic Brain (from Reason by Isaac Asimov) A computer CPU with the capacity to rival a human brain. |
| 1941 | Group Ego (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A group mind; a single entity that shares a number of bodies. |
| 1941 | Robot Music (from The Robot God by Ray Cummings) Music created and performed entirely by robots. |
| 1941 | Visible Halo (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) Providing a religious figure with a technological sign of grace. |
| 1941 | Bone Conduction Receiver (from Sixth Column by Anson MacDonald) A concealed radio receiver. |
| 1941 | Instant Customized Clothing (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A machine that produced a selected item of clothing, on the spot, based on customer demand. |
| 1941 | Uranatomic (from Backlash by Jack Williamson) An atomic pile that generates electricity. |
| 1941 | Space Tunnel (from The Man Who Bought Mars by Polton Cross) An enclosed gang plank extended between space ships. |
| 1941 | Robotics (from Liar by Isaac Asimov) The engineering field encompassing the creation and maintenance of robots. |
| 1941 | Astrogation (to Astrogate) (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) To navigate in space. |
| 1941 | Self-Lighting Cigarette (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A cigarette with a matchhead built in. |
| 1941 | Weather Integrator (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) An entire technology for controlling the weather. |
| 1941 | Disinto (from Robot AL-76 Goes Astray by Isaac Asimov) A disintegrating ray. |
| 1941 | Chardion Field (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) Electronic 'envelope' that retained atmosphere on tiny worldlets. |
| 1941 | Golden Shuttles (Mechanical Mice) (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) Very small robots with an appetite for watch parts. |
| 1941 | Charging Arm (from Masters of Chance by William Morrison) A specialized device allowing a robot to charge itself. |
| 1941 | Sweep Field (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Pulls in interplanetary matter for space ship propulsion. |
| 1941 | Cold-Sleep (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A state of hibernation, created by lowered temperature and metabolism. |
| 1941 | Robot Mother (from The Mechanical Mice by Maurice G. Hugi) A self-replicating robot, which creates a series of helper bots that adapt to conditions as needed. |
| 1941 | Floating Robot (from The Floating Robot by David Wright O'Brien) A robot that floats in mid-air. |
| 1941 | Cold-Rest (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) Lowering body temperature and metabolic levels, as in hibernation; also called reduced temperature somnolence. |
| 1941 | Joy-boat Junior (from Methuselah's Children by Robert Heinlein) A private space yacht, capable of suborbital journeys. |
| 1941 | Quench Field (from The Purple Light by E. Waldo Hunter) Stopped runaway nuclear reactions by quenching the cascades of neutrons. |
| 1941 | Hell-Stone (from Star of Dreams by Jack Williamson) An incomparably beautiful and rare jewel. |
| 1942 | Robotic Tail (from The Wabbler by Murray Leinster) A sleek coiled length of robotic segments. |
| 1942 | Groundhog (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Not a space professional. |
| 1942 | Zero-G Ashtray (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) An ashtray designed for use on a space station. |
| 1942 | Vac Suit (from Child of the Sun by Leigh Brackett) A space suit, designed for use in vacuum. |
| 1942 | Radiation Garment (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Clothing worn by ordinary citizens to reduce the risk of radiation exposure. |
| 1942 | Antigravity Plate (Antigravity Raft) (from Co-Operate or Else by A.E. van Vogt) A thin, circular craft that floats. |
| 1942 | Three Laws of Robotics (Rules of Robotics) (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) The original formulation of Asimov's laws of robotics. |
| 1942 | Radiant Power Receptor (DeKalbs) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A device which received and used energy transmitted from a station or satellite. |
| 1942 | Waldo (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A telefactoring device; also known as the Waldo F. Jones Synchronous Reduplicating Pantograph. |
| 1942 | Venus Equilateral Relay Station (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) A converted asteroid that served as the relay station for telecommunications throughout the solar system. |
| 1942 | Chronanalyzer (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Isolate specific movements for analysis. |
| 1942 | Gravitation Paralysis (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Dread illness of space travelers striking when changing from very weak to very strong gravities. |
| 1942 | Meteorscope (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) A device that probes ahead in space detecting swarms of deadly meteors. |
| 1942 | Telaudiogram (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) An interplanetary communication method. |
| 1942 | Weight-Shoes (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Devices intended to make it easier to walk on celestial bodies with weaker gravity. |
| 1942 | Black Coating (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A material that absorbs practically all incident light. |
| 1942 | Vestan Parasite (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) Semi-intelligent creatures that take control of the nervous system of other animals. |
| 1942 | Electric Wall (from The World With A Thousand Moons by Edmond Hamilton) A wall of electric force. |
| 1942 | Martian Sawgrass (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) Specialized variety of plant that is used to provide oxygen for space stations. |
| 1942 | Gravanol (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) A medicine or supplement that helps astronauts deal better with high accelerations. |
| 1942 | Atomics (from Nerves by Lester del Rey) The field of nuclear energy. |
| 1942 | Up-and-Down Orientation (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Designed and constructed as if gravity were a factor. |
| 1942 | Auto-Clerk (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automated accounting system. |
| 1942 | Asterite (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A person who was born and lived amongst the asteroids. |
| 1942 | Slideway (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A slidewalk, or moving walkway, that moves people forward. |
| 1942 | Fire Storm (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) When clouds of antimatter dust encountered ordinary matter spaceships. |
| 1942 | Space-Burned (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Analogous to sun-burned. |
| 1942 | Paragravity (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Artificial gravity. |
| 1942 | Pilot-Robot (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) The piloting gear of a space tug. |
| 1942 | Plastifoam (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Used to seal large leaks in space craft. |
| 1942 | Negative Safety-Field (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A paragravity-based shield for space craft. |
| 1942 | Thermalarm Relays (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Detects objects by their heat radiation, so space craft can maneuver around them. |
| 1942 | Wheelchair Space Station (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A home in space. |
| 1942 | Igloo-Shaped Space Shelter (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Easy to set up on airless asteroids. |
| 1942 | Contraterrene Matter (Antimatter) (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Contraterrene (CT) Matter (sometimes abbreviated "Seetee"). |
| 1942 | Alien Self-Government (from Co-Operate or Else by A.E. van Vogt) Rules to assure intelligent aliens the right to govern themselves in freedom. |
| 1942 | Space Tugs (from Describe a Circle by Eric Frank Russell) Early use of familiar ocean vehicle in space. |
| 1942 | News Roundup (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A device that presents brief story outlines, any of which can be chosen to find details. |
| 1942 | Capillotomer (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) An automatic shaving machine |
| 1942 | Terraforming (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) The process of modifying a planetary surface to resemble those of an ideal earth; affects the entire biosphere. |
| 1942 | Fairy Digits (Tiny Waldoes) (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) Waldoes used for very fine work. |
| 1942 | Control Natural (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) A person who is allowed to have an unmodified genetic makeup. |
| 1942 | Hive Mind (from The Face of the Deep by Edmond Hamilton) A group mind. |
| 1942 | Insosuit (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) A space suit specially designed to resist extreme heat. |
| 1942 | Dirigible Space Armor (Working Space Suits) (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) Heavy-duty space suits for mining work on asteroids. |
| 1942 | Thermodyne Heat Ray (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) Device focuses, and projects, a heat beam. |
| 1942 | The Twonky (from The Twonky by Lewis Padgett) A robotic device from the future, constructed to look like a 1940's radio cabinet. |
| 1942 | Sobriety Ray (from The Twonky by Lewis Padgett) A ray of a particular wavelength and intensity, that conferred instant sobriety on those it shone upon. |
| 1942 | Seetee Blinker (from Collision Orbit by Jack Williamson) A marker of contraterrene matter (antimatter) asteroids, to aid in interplanetary navigation. |
| 1942 | Tiny Robot Planes (from Blood on the Sun by Hal K. Wells) A swarm of very small independently maneuverable unmanned aerial vehicles. |
| 1942 | Levitator Pack (from Gears for Nemesis by Raymond Z. Gallun) Handy anti-gravity when you need it. |
| 1942 | Directrix Z9M9Z (from Gray Lensman by E.E. 'Doc' Smith) A control center ship for a vast space armada. |
| 1942 | Concentrated Cosmic Radiation (from The Face of the Deep by Edmond Hamilton) Passing through a region of intense radiation alters lifeforms. |
| 1942 | Xenephrene Interstellar World (from A Brand New World by Ray Cummings) A planet not attached to a solar system. |
| 1942 | Cubics (from The Face of the Deep by Edmond Hamilton) Small, square animals that can combine to create a larger entity. |
| 1942 | Broomstick Speedster (from Waldo by Robert Heinlein) A two-seater craft capable of spaceflight; it used radiant power to achieve orbit. |
| 1942 | Wabbler (from The Wabbler by Murray Leinster) An autonomous underwater robot. |
| 1942 | Time Dredge (from Time Dredge by Robert Arthur) A device that scoops up material from the past, and returns it to the present. |
| 1942 | Interplanetary Communications Center (from QRM - Interplanetary by George O. Smith) The backbone for a solar system-wide communications system. |
| 1942 | Stasis Field (from Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein) Energy field which prevents time from passing inside the field walls; no time passes, nobody gets hurt. |
| 1942 | Energy Converter (from Runaround by Isaac Asimov) Massive unit on the sunside of Mercury converts heat into energy, and beams it around the solar system. |
| 1943 | Usuform Robot (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A robot designed strictly along functional lines. |
| 1943 | Robot Taste Buds (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) A sensor for robots that would allow it to taste foods like a human being. |
| 1943 | Gum Tree (from Symbiotica by Eric Frank Russell) A huge tree that lashed out with a mind of its own. |
| 1943 | Micro Book (Microbook) (from One Way Trip by Anthony Boucher) A very small volume, possibly an electronic book. |
| 1943 | Impervium (from Clash by Night by Lawrence O'Donnell) Unique material is impenetrable and indestructible. |
| 1943 | Mixed Men (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A mostly human being, but with an additional robot brain. |
| 1943 | Verhaeren Factor (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) Provides autonomous robots with the capacity for independent creative action. |
| 1943 | Sea Robot (from The Metal Monster (Jarvis) by E.K. Jarvis) An enormous robot able to function in the ocean. |
| 1943 | Force Pencil (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Device straps to forearm, projects a force beam. |
| 1943 | Pain Canopy (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Pain by nerve induction improves interrogation. |
| 1943 | Rod of Wrath (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A sword made of light. |
| 1943 | Robot Chef (from Robinc by Anthony Boucher) Creative, autonomous robotic cook. |
| 1943 | Usuform Robot Bartender (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A robotic bartender that is designed along purely functional lines. |
| 1943 | Interstellar Storm (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A vast body of both matter and anti-matter swirling through the stars. |
| 1943 | Aladur (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) High tensile strength, lightweight material. |
| 1943 | Treatment of Extramundane Aborigines (from Symbiotica by Eric Frank Russell) Laws for aliens on their own planet. |
| 1943 | Meteor-Spotting Radar (from Recoil by George O. Smith) A device to warn spacecraft of oncoming meteors. |
| 1943 | Stratoyacht (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A privately-owned pleasure craft capable of attaining orbit. |
| 1943 | Polyfrequency Neutralizer (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Dissolves projected solidographs (holograms). |
| 1943 | Vastening (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) It's hard to describe, but it's a robotic sense perception. |
| 1943 | Space Weather Map (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A map that details hazardous space conditions. |
| 1943 | Pneumo-Slacks (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) Pants that make you look beefier. |
| 1943 | Coldlight (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A means of producing illumination that does not produce heat. |
| 1943 | Space Meteorologist (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A person who studies storms in space. |
| 1943 | Robot Cop (from Pacifist of Hell's Island by R.M. Williams) A robotic police officer. |
| 1943 | Rocketeer (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A person who pilots rockets. |
| 1943 | Off-World (from Judgement Night by C.L. Moore) Not of Earth. |
| 1943 | Manshell (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A spaceship large enough for just one man; also an escape pod. |
| 1943 | Airpolo (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) Polo played in mid-air with special aircraft and helium-filled balls. |
| 1943 | Inviolability Field (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A kind of field of force built into a robe, to protect an individual person. |
| 1943 | Deceleration Chambers (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) Stressed, the ship breaks apart into parts that may survive. |
| 1943 | Plastibulb (from The Proud Robot by Lewis Padgett) A squeezable drink container. |
| 1943 | Royalties For Machine Learning Subjects (from Q.U.R. by Anthony Boucher) A payment to people who are used as subjects for imitation learning by robots. |
| 1943 | Adjustable House (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A house with elastic walls and structural members, the shape of which can be changed. |
| 1943 | Space Cadet (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A young person training to be a spaceman. |
| 1943 | Visigraphic Crowd Emotional Record (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A graphic record of the emotions of a crowd. |
| 1943 | Filmag (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A video magazine. |
| 1943 | Personality Alteration (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Permanent alternation of personality, the tools of the trade. |
| 1943 | Zeroentropy Spray (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) A method of reducing the disorder of an object as much as possible, reducing the temperature close to absolute zero. |
| 1943 | Solidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Long distance projection of three-dimensional images. |
| 1943 | Telesolidograph (from Gather, Darkness! by Fritz Leiber) Projects three-dimensional images at great distances. |
| 1943 | Flame Barrier (from The Storm by A.E. van Vogt) A form of protective force field. |
| 1943 | Hooman (from Castaways of Eros by Nelson S. Bond) An alternative spelling. |
| 1943 | Viewscreen Pentagon (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) A display with a central, pentagonal display surrounded by square displays attached to the sides. |
| 1943 | Durasteel (from Sunward Flight by Leo Zagat) More durable than steel? |
| 1944 | Asteroid Mining Robot (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) An autonomous robot able to effectively mine asteroids. |
| 1944 | Heliodynamic Engine (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) A motor that runs directly off of solar power. |
| 1944 | Solenoid Wickets (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Great hoops of metal that guided, held and then shot ships into space. |
| 1944 | Soldier Robots (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Autonomous mechanical military. |
| 1944 | Life Blanket (from Ogre by Clifford Simak) Sentient moss which, when draped over the shoulders of a human being, becomes fully self-aware, providing valuable services. |
| 1944 | Eternity Drug (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) A medication that puts a person into a deep hibernation-like sleep for decades at a time. |
| 1944 | Automatic Massager (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) An autonomous massage machine with robotic arms and hands. |
| 1944 | Astrogator's Masking Goggles (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Allows better viewing of astrogation charts and displays. |
| 1944 | Robot Voice (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) A voice box for a robot that is an analog of the human voice system. |
| 1944 | Robot Team (from Catch That Rabbit by Isaac Asimov) A set of robots, with the leader able to coordinate the activities of less intelligent subsidiary robots. |
| 1944 | Robot Lawn Mower (from City by Clifford Simak) An automated lawn mower. |
| 1944 | Robot Harvester (from Forever is Too Long by Chester S. Geier) A large autonomous robot that moves through the fields taking in grain. |
| 1944 | Star Base (from Star Base X by R.M. Williams) An installation or station at an important interstellar location. |
| 1944 | Anticlamps (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Padded clamps to restrain cabin crew under acceleration. |
| 1944 | Relations with Extraterrestrial Life (from Ogre by Clifford Simak) Instructions to earth citizens on how to behave when encountering alien civilizations. |
| 1944 | Gravitics (from Tricky Tonnage by Malcolm Jameson) The science of using gravity as a technology. |
| 1944 | Slidewalk (from Sanity by Fritz Leiber) A moving sidewalk; a conveyor belt for people. |
| 1944 | Reserve Bracelet (from Plague by Murray Leinster) A means of sending a message via tiny shocks in code, delivered to the wrist. |
| 1944 | Hide in the Asteroids (from Plague by Murray Leinster) Match speed with the asteroids and become undetectable. |
| 1944 | Solar Beam (from The Long Way by George O. Smith) Obtaining solar power by means of a direct connection with the sun. |
| 1944 | Meloderge (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Automated music player. |
| 1944 | Planetoid With Earth Gravity (from The Soul Eaters by William Conover) |
| 1944 | Asteroids From Outside Solar System (from Mr. Meek Plays Polo by Clifford Simak) Small bodies from beyond the solar system are captured by major planets. |
| 1944 | Simple Organisms Do Math (from Mr. Meek Plays Polo by Clifford Simak) Insects show unusual signs of intelligence. |
| 1944 | Hollow Asteroid (from Juke Box Asteroid by Joseph Farrell) An asteroid that has been hollowed out for use as a space habitat. |
| 1944 | Energy Screen (from Far Centaurus by A.E. van Vogt) A field of force. |
| 1944 | Rust Ray Pistol (from Gambler’s Asteroid by Manly Wade Wellman) Makes the hardest steel or iron crumbly. |
| 1944 | Gyrocar Monorail (from The Anarch by Malcolm Jameson) A self-balancing vehicle. |
| 1944 | Mal de Void (from Off the Beam by George O. Smith) Literally, space sick. |
| 1944 | Turnover (from Off the Beam by George O. Smith) The point in a torchship's trajectory when it must flip over and point its fiery tail toward its destination to decelerate. |
| 1944 | Suit-Radio (from The Long Way by George O. Smith) A means of communication between two individuals clad in space suits. |
| 1944 | Battle Integrator (from The Bureaucrat by Malcolm Jameson) A three-dimensional representation of warfare in space. |
| 1944 | Robotic Arm (from City by Clifford Simak) A specialized robotic reaching and grasping device. |
| 1944 | Braking Drive (from Saboteur of Space by Robert Abernathy) Coming to a stop in space. |
| 1945 | Geosynchronous Satellite (from V2 for Ionospheric Research by Arthur C. Clarke) A communications satellite that appears to "hover" over one spot on the earth's surface; it goes around the earth in twenty-four hours. |
| 1945 | Fixed Star Advertising (from Pi in the Sky by Frederic Brown) In which the positions of the fixed stars are changed to form advertising. |
| 1945 | Meteor Blasters (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) Energy beams that would destroy space debris or rocks that lay in the path of a spacecraft. |
| 1945 | Vision Plate (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) A flat panel monitor. |
| 1945 | Sleeve Communicator (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) An electronic device controller built into clothing. |
| 1945 | Escapecraft (from The Ethical Equations by Murray Leinster) A small spacecraft used when abandoning the main ship. |
| 1945 | Star-Globe (3D Map) (from Pi in the Sky by Frederic Brown) A celestial star map, done in three dimensions. |
| 1945 | Plastic Constructor (3D Printer) (from Things Pass By by Murray Leinster) A 3D printer - for spaceships. |
| 1945 | Ship Hull Thermobatteries (from The Ethical Equations by Murray Leinster) Solar activated and charged batteries built into the hull of a spacecraft. |
| 1945 | Matter Duplicator (from Pandora's Millions by George O. Smith) Makes a perfect copy of any material object. |
| 1945 | Electronic Locator (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A device that determines the location of a person. |
| 1945 | Dingbat (from Deadly Host by Raymond F. Jones) An alien mechanical parasite. |
| 1945 | Overdrive (from First Contact by Murray Leinster) A propulsion technology that allows a craft to travel at faster-than-light speed. |
| 1945 | Games Machine (from World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt) A vast computer system. |
| 1945 | Cosmoquake (from Things Pass By by Murray Leinster) Gravity waves ripple across the solar system. |
| 1946 | Ro-Eye (from The Unforeseen by Mark Champion) A drone used for surveillance - a robot-eye. |
| 1946 | Spotcast (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) A new form of one-to-many communication. |
| 1946 | Plastic Igloo (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) A heavy plastic shelter for use in airless environments. |
| 1946 | Robot Cat (from The Cat and the King by Raymond F. Jones) A biological feline with mechanical parts. |
| 1946 | Logics Service (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) A networked service that retains all of your personal information, schedules and phone messages online. |
| 1946 | Gravity Port (from Shadow Over Venus by Frank Belknap Long, Jr.) Used for refueling. |
| 1946 | Carson Circuit (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) A means of distinguishing betweem millions of different information sources - the secret of the Internet. |
| 1946 | Roboticist (from Evidence by Isaac Asimov) A person who works on robots. |
| 1946 | Robot Bus (from The Little Things by Henry Kuttner) An autonomous vehicle to transport groups of people. |
| 1946 | Tanks (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) Device that provides mass storage of information. |
| 1946 | Asteroid Mine (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) The practice of seeking out and mining asteroids for their ore. |
| 1946 | Logics (from A Logic Named Joe by Murray Leinster) Machines that let you request information, and then display it for you on a screen. |
| 1946 | Dud (from The Fairy Chessmen by Lewis Padgett) Mysterious silvery spheres. |
| 1946 | Quarry Shell (from The Unforeseen by Mark Champion) An automated rocket used to search for and destroy escaped prisoners once located. |
| 1946 | Pocket Universe (from Pocket Universes by Murray Leinster) A created, separate space within the normal space of the universe. |
| 1946 | Mining Worm (Robot) (from Love Among The Robots by Emmett McDowell) An autonomous mining robot shaped like a worm. |
| 1946 | Wandering Sunless Planet (from Dead Hand by Isaac Asimov) A planet that is not bound to a star. |
| 1946 | Star Travel (from Forgotten World by Edmond Hamilton) Undertaking a journey between the stars. |
| 1947 | Space-Dory (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) A small spacecraft sometimes used as a life boat. |
| 1947 | Ion Drive (from Equalizer by Jack Williamson) A space drive that emits a stream of ions as reaction mass; it starts out slow but builds up to interstellar speeds. |
| 1947 | Self-Opening Box (from Child's Play by William Tenn) Don't show this to Apple. |
| 1947 | Gyrocab (from You Are Forbidden! by Jerry Shelton) A flying taxi. |
| 1947 | Machine Servant (from The Star of Life by Edmond Hamilton) A wheeled plastic box with universal-joint arms. |
| 1947 | Prime Directive (from With Folded Hands by Jack Williamson) The first and most important rule; usually protective. |
| 1947 | Wango Wave (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Energy surge that accompanies the entrance into, and exit from, overdrive outside of normal space. |
| 1947 | Hedgerly Effect (from Meddler's Moon by George O. Smith) A means of producing a gravitational field artificially. |
| 1947 | Mechanical Funeral (from The Coffin by Ray Bradbury) An entirely autonomous burial rite. |
| 1947 | Psychoscanner (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) A device capable of taking impressions, feelings and memories from living brains; it can be used on animals as well. |
| 1947 | Space-Split (from The Star of Life by Edmond Hamilton) Access to other dimensions provided by splitting space itself. |
| 1947 | Planet-Smasher (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Devices capable of destroying an entire planet. |
| 1947 | Vitalizer (from The Soma Racks by Margaret St. Clair) Tired? Try Henderson's Vitalizer! |
| 1947 | Asteroid Nets (from Asteroid Justice by V.E. Thiessen) Capturing small asteroids or fragments using rocket nets. |
| 1947 | Synchrophased Power Beams (from Propagandist by Murray Leinster) Focuses energy beams from multiple planets on the same object. |
| 1947 | Gravitic Generator (from Meddler's Moon by George O. Smith) A device that produces an artificial gravity field. |
| 1948 | Doublethink (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A mental discipline that is an exact contradiction to the basic principles of scientific inquiry. |
| 1948 | Telescreen (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) Very early use of the idea of using technology to monitor human activity at a distance. |
| 1948 | Speakwrite (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A dictation machine that also transcribes the speech into typed words. |
| 1948 | High-Frequency Oven (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) This describes the essence of a microwave. |
| 1948 | Portable Telephone (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) The essence of a cell phone. |
| 1948 | Moonbase (or Moon Base) (from 240,000 Miles Straight Up by L. Ron Hubbard) A base of operations on Earth's moon. |
| 1948 | Space Ark (from Decision Illogical by N.B. Wilkinson) A very large ship used to transport a large group of people. |
| 1948 | Microwavable Food (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Food that is prepared specifically for use in a microwave (high-frequency) oven. |
| 1948 | Star Drive (from Genius by Poul Anderson) The propulsion unit for an interstellar space craft. |
| 1948 | Atmospheric Braking (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Using a planet's atmosphere to gradually decelerate a spacecraft. |
| 1948 | Novel-Writing Machines (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A device that automatically produces fiction. |
| 1948 | Memory Hole (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A receptacle for unwanted documents. |
| 1948 | Personal Rocket Jet (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) A small, handheld jet pack that can be used to maneuver freely in space. |
| 1948 | Asteroid Asylums (from The Square Pegs by Ray Bradbury) Unique cultures mean unique opportunities to help the mentally ill. |
| 1948 | Solidograph-Projector (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) A device that projected a 3D image of objects or a person. |
| 1948 | Crimestop (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) The faculty of stopping short, as though by instict, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. |
| 1948 | Electro-Education (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) The latest thing in electrically stimulated learning. |
| 1948 | Gravity Centrifuge (from Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein) Used in low gravity environments to build up muscle for visits to Earth, or other high gravity worlds. |
| 1948 | Brain Erasure (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) Deleting selected knowledge from the brain using electrical impulses. |
| 1948 | Versificator (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) A device that composes words to music. |
| 1948 | Precog (v) (from Police Operation by H. Beam Piper) To see the future. |
| 1948 | Rewriting History (from 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) by George Orwell) Use of sophisticated technology to continuously rewrite the historical record. |
| 1948 | Atomician Sign Language (from The Faceless Men by Leo Zagat) Specialized sign language used by those who work with atomics. |
| 1948 | Automatic Defensors (from The Rull by A.E. van Vogt) Devices that follow along with you, providing extra viewpoints. |
| 1948 | Survey Craft (from The Rull by A.E. van Vogt) Light duty ship for use in atmosphere, to explore planets. |
| 1948 | Nerve Control Lines (from The Rull by A.E. van Vogt) Designs that take control of human nervous systems. |
| 1948 | Tubecar (from The Faceless Men by Leo Zagat) A pneumatic tube that carries people. |
| 1948 | Beltway (from The Faceless Men by Leo Zagat) A moving sidewalk. |
| 1948 | Moonquake-Proof Habitats (from Gentlemen, Be Seated by Robert Heinlein) Moonbases that are built to withstand quakes on the Moon. |
| 1948 | Tag-Along Balloon (from Gentlemen, Be Seated by Robert Heinlein) A bladder-like device that both finds and temporarily fixes leaks in moon tunnels or space station habitats. |
| 1948 | Learning-Cap (from The Knowledge Machine by Edmond Hamilton) A special metal helmet for electro-education. |
| 1949 | Speedtalk (from Gulf by Robert Heinlein) A constructed language that uses a single sound to stand for a word, achieving great improvements in communication speed. |
| 1949 | Sound Analysis (from Gulf by Robert Heinlein) Improving language teaching by showing the waveform of a spoken word or phrase, and comparing it to standard speech. |
| 1949 | Telepath Transmitter (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A device for long distance communication that makes use of telepathy. |
| 1949 | Martian Canal Ice (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) Open water ice on the fourth planet. |
| 1949 | Cybernetic Brain (from The Cybernetic Brain by Charles Recour) An artificial brain to control the movements of an prosthetic leg using nerve impulses. |
| 1949 | Spider Robot (from The Mystery of Element 117 by Milton K. Smith) A mechanism in the form of a spider. |
| 1949 | Robot Introspection (from Unforeseen by Roger P. Graham) A robotic brain grows and learns about itself. |
| 1949 | Bubble Armor Space Suit (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Steel bubble-shaped space suit. |
| 1949 | Fluor Strips (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) Lighting long narrow devices. |
| 1949 | Bolt Anti-Grav (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) This device produces a torus-shaped discharge that causes weightlessness. |
| 1949 | Shari (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) A multipurpose net worn as clothing. |
| 1949 | Space Scurvy (Kenoalgia) (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) A wasting disease of space travel. |
| 1949 | Painted Respirator Masks (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) Children choose to decorate otherwise uniform equipment masks. |
| 1949 | Three Generation Work (Century Piece) (from The Sub-Standard Sardines by Jack Vance) An artwork created by three consecutive generations of artists, in exactly one century. |
| 1949 | Resilian (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A natural fiber that is as strong as steel. |
| 1949 | Herculoy (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A very strong alloy like steel. |
| 1949 | Mind-Parasite (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Takes over the cognition of a host organism. |
| 1949 | 'Fresher (from Gulf by Robert Heinlein) Short for 'refreshing chamber', a device that performs various personal services. |
| 1949 | Metal Calculator Planet (from Limiting Factor by Clifford Simak) A planet covered entirely with machinery to a height of twenty miles and covered with a metal roof. |
| 1949 | Emergency Treatment Tank (Chamber) (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A fully enclosed regeneration device. |
| 1949 | Synthetigrav (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) General term for any of the fields produced by synthetic gravity devices. |
| 1949 | Stationary Automatic Blaster (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) An automated defensive blaster. |
| 1949 | Gee (from Sacred Martian Pig (Idris' Pig) by Margaret St. Clair) Using the standard letter designation in physics for gravity. |
| 1949 | Self-Igniter (from The Howling Bounders by Jack Vance) A self-lighting cigarette. |
| 1949 | Repulsor (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A device that inhibits the action of a spacewarp drive. |
| 1949 | Plastiskin (from Unforeseen by Roger P. Graham) Artificial human skin to cover prosthetics. |
| 1949 | Skimmer (from Lost Ulysses by W.L. Bade) Low-flying, hovering vehicle. |
| 1949 | Mind-Lock (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A device that confines a mind within its own shielded area. |
| 1949 | Vivo-Gel (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) Semi-living material. |
| 1949 | Quizzer (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) An autonomous mind-probe. |
| 1949 | Visiglobe (from Agent of Vega by James Schmitz) A display that provided a spherical, 3D visualization of a scene. |
| 1949 | Desert Cabbage (from Red Planet by Robert Heinlein) A giant plant that regulates its internal temperature even on Mars. |
| 1949 | Spacewarp Drive (from What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown) A means of faster-than-light travel. |
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A Beautiful Visualization Of Compact Food
re: Edward Page Mitchell
(12/9/2025)
Bone-Building Drug Evenity Approved
re: Edmond Hamilton
(12/7/2025)
Secret Kill Switch Found In Yutong Buses
re: Keith Laumer
(12/5/2025)
Inmotion Electric Unicycle In Combat
re: Robert Heinlein
(12/3/2025)
Grok Scores Best In Psychological Tests
re: Isaac Asimov
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PaXini Supersensitive Robot Fingers
re: Ray Cummings
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Congress Considers Automatic Emergency Braking, One Hundred Years Too Late
re: Bernard Brown
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The Desert Ship Sailed In Imagination
re: Ray Bradbury
(11/25/2025)
The Zapata Air Scooter Would Be Great In A Science Fiction Story
re: Robert Heinlein
(11/23/2025)
Thermostabilized Wet Meat Product (NASA Prototype)
re: Various
(11/21/2025)
Could Crystal Batteries Generate Power For Centuries?
re: Edmond Hamilton
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India Ponders Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking
re: Jack Vance
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Amazon Will Send You Heinlein's Knockdown Cabin
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Is It Time To Forbid Human Driving?
re: Bernard Brown
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Replace The Smartphone With A Connected Edge Node For AI Inference
re: Raymond F. Jones
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Artificial Skin For Robots Is Coming Right Along
re: Harl VIncent
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Robot Guard Dog On Duty
re: Neal Stephenson
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Wearable Artificial Fabric Muscles
re: HG Wells
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BrainBridge Concept Transplant Of Human Head Proposed
re: Alexander Belaev
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Google's Nano Banana Pro Presents Handwritten Math Solutions
re: Isaac Asimov
(11/1/2025)
Edible Meat-Like Fungus Like Barbara Hambly's Slunch?
re: Barbara Hambly
(10/29/2025)
Sunday Robotics 'Memo' Bot Has Unique Training Glove
re: Robert Heinlein
(10/27/2025)
Woman Marries Computer, Vonnegut's Dream Comes True
re: Kurt Vonnegut
(10/25/2025)
Natural Gait With Prosthetic Connected To Nervous System
re: Charles Recour
(10/25/2025)
Spidery 'Walk Me' Toyota Autonomous Wheel Chair Like Star Wars
re: George Lucas
(10/21/2025)
Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
re: James Cameron
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(See More Science Fiction in the News)
