Sinister Barrier by Eric Frank Russell:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Scientists die mysteriously; pale blue spherical creatures feed on energy of human emotions. Who will triumph?

Famously, Russell derived his idea from writings by Charles Fort:

But perhaps my greatest debt is to two friends, one of whom asked me, “Since everybody wants peace, why don’t we get it ?” while the other posed me this one, “If there are extra-terrestrial races further advanced than ourselves, why haven’t they visited us already?” Charles Fort gave me what may well be the answer. He said, “1 think we’re property.”


Select an invention:

Identification Ring
An apparently ordinary ring, which minutely describes and identifies its wearer.

Stereoscopic Vernier and Cube
A means of photographing in depth.

Transparent Car Roof
You can see through the roof of the car.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions 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.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind?
re: John Victor Peterson
(9/29/2025)

Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again?
re: Orson Scott Card
(9/27/2025)

Mornine Sales Robot
re: Philip K. Dick
(9/25/2025)

Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking
re: George Parsons Lathrop
(9/23/2025)

Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
re: Isaac Asimov
(9/21/2025)

Elegant Bivouac Shelter Produces Water And Electricity
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(9/17/2025)

X-Control Janus-1 A Suitcase Aircraft
re: ED Skinner
(9/15/2025)

'AI Assistants' Are Actually Less Reliable For News
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(9/13/2025)

YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy!
re: James Blish
(9/11/2025)

Will Robots Ever Fold Landry?
re: Philip K. Dick
(9/9/2025)

Will AIs Give Better Results If You're Rude To Them?
re: John Varley
(9/7/2025)

Cybertruck Robotic Arm F10 Drone Launch!
re: Philip K. Dick
(9/5/2025)

Black Fungus Blocks Radiation
re: Andy Weir
(9/3/2025)

Liuzhi Process Now In Use In China
re: George Orwell
(9/1/2025)

More SF in the News

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.