Larry Niven:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas
Larry Niven was born in California in 1938; he earned a BA in mathematics from Washburn University, Kansas. His first sf story The Coldest Place was published in 1964. He has won four short-fiction Hugos; he won both the Hugo and Nebula award in 1971 for Ringworld. He is also known for his Tales of Known Space.

Niven is a frequent collaborator; see his other contributions under Niven w/J. Pournelle, Niven w/EM Lerner, Niven w/S. Barnes, Niven w/Pournell, Flynn and Niven w/GC Johnson.

Invention/Technology Source Work (Publication Date)

Monopole Mining
Looking for natural sources of monopoles.

Protector (1973)

Multi-function Living Room - extrude from the wall
A small living space with a variety of functions built-in.

Death by Ecstasy (1969)

Newstaper Gear
The devices used by a person who serves as a reporter, cameraman and story finder.

Flash Crowd (1972)

Organlegging - first mention of organ smuggling
Technology needed to deal in illicitly obtained body parts.

The Jigsaw Man (1967)

Osmosis Generator (Cziltang Brone) - the air lock
A device that can render a solid permeable to matter.

Ringworld (1970)

Poster TV - flattest of flat screen TVs
This display gives new meaning to the term "flat screen."

A World Out of Time (1976)

Ram Field - tweaked Bussard Ramjet
A specialized version of the hydrogen-gathering field for a Bussard Ramjet.

Protector (1973)

Ramrobot - automated space exploration
An autonomous interstellar exploration craft using gathered hydrogen for fuel.

The Ethics of Madness (1967)

Ramscoop - pull in hydrogen
An enormous magnetic field precedes a spaceship moving through space, directing interstellar hydrogen inward for use as fuel.

World of Ptavvs (1965)

Resting Pits

Limits (1985)

Ringworld - sun-girdling artifact
A 50 foot thick ribbon of matter around a star, a million miles across and as long as Earth's orbital circumference.

Ringworld (1970)

RNA Shots - don't read Cliff notes; eat Cliff
An injection prepared from the tissues of a person with knowledge or experience that you need.

A World Out of Time (1976)

Scrith - tensile strength
The material used to build Ringworld; has remarkable tensile strength

Ringworld (1970)

Seeder Ramship
A spacecraft designed to travel from one star system to another , terrafoming worlds for use.

Rammer (1991)

Self-Guided Tractors
A farm vehicle that drives itself.

At the Bottom of a Hole (1966)

Shadow Square - provider of darkness
An enormous blind that orbits a star.

Ringworld (1970)

Shadow Square Wire - hold shadow squares in position
Very fine, very light, very strong wire.

Ringworld (1970)

Sinclair Molecule Chain - one molecule thick
A monofilament fiber, used for strength.

A Gift From Earth (1968)

Singleship
A spacecraft designed for use by one person.

Death by Ecstasy (1969)

Skycycle
A flying Harley; motorcycle of the skies.

Handicap (1967)

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