Brigands of the Moon by Ray Cummings:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Entertaining space adventure novel; not a grand space opera, the events of this novel take place close to home. This novel has a very early scientifically accurate description of a lunar habitat; however, the novel also refers improbably to an asteroid with an atmosphere and a small sea. (Did I say "improbable"? See the story on the possibility of an ancient ocean on Ceres!)


Select an invention:

Artificial Gravity - first mention
Procuring gravitational forces without a suitably large mass.

Asteroid From Outside Solar System
An asteroid or similar body that comes from outside the solar system; an interstellar body.

Dome Shelter - first reference
A permanent domed structure for living on the Moon.

Eavesdropping Ray - hears through walls
A device that allows others to hear from outside ordinary locked rooms.

Glassite
A transparent material of great strength.

Gravity Assist - very early use
Using the gravity and orbital speed of a celestial body to change speed and course of a spacecraft.

Invisible Cloak -long before Harry Potter
A cloak that renders the wearer invisible.

Low-scale Detectors
Magnifies even the smallest sound.

Lunar Mining - moon mining camp
Very early (first?) reference to mining operations on the moon.

Moon Walk - presages Apollo
Very early realistic depiction of walking on the moon in low gravity.

Oxygen Space Flare
A flare that burns inside a glass bulb with oxygen.

Paralyzing Ray - early use
Stops body motions.

Pencil Heat Ray - narrow beam
An offensive, man-portable heat ray.

 

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

LLM 'Cognitive Core' Now Evolving
re: Philip K. Dick
(6/19/2025)

Has Elon Musk Given Up On Mars?
re: Robert Heinlein
(6/17/2025)

Bacteria Turns Plastic Into Pain Relief? That Gives Me An Idea.
re: Brian W. Aldiss
(6/15/2025)

When Your Child's Best Friend Is An AI
re: Clifford Simak
(6/13/2025)

China's Drone Mothership Can Carry 100 Drones
re: Daniel Suarez
(6/11/2025)

Drones Recharge In Mid-Air Like Jets Refuel!
re: Neal Stephenson
(6/9/2025)

Australian Authors Reject AI Training Of Llama
re: Anthony Boucher
(6/7/2025)

Is China Mining Helium-3 On The Moon's Farside?
re: Ray Cummings
(6/5/2025)

Maybe It's Too Soon To Require Autonomous Mode
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(6/3/2025)

Is Agentic AI The Wrong Kind Of Smartness?
re: Isaac Asimov
(6/1/2025)

Heat Waver - The First Ever Combo Solar Collector And Wind Turbine
re: Simpson Stokes
(5/29/2025)

Tesla 'Fleet Response Agents' Bolster FSD Autonomy
re: Charles Stross
(5/27/2025)

Mori3 Autonomous Shapeshifting Robot
re: Stargate
(5/25/2025)

Tesla Seeks 'Tesla Robotaxi' And 'Robobus' Trademarks Ignoring Prior Art
re: Gordon R. Dickson
(5/23/2025)

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.