Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Outstanding novel describes a not-too-distant Earth run by the Unity organization, a totalitarian world bureaucracy; every move is dictated by Vulcan 3, a supercomputer that is self-aware. The story was published in an abbreviated form in Future Science Fiction magazine in 1956. Select an invention:

Fluid Metal Letters
A smooth metal display able to display words.

Hammer - weapon of AIs
Flying blunt trauma weapon remote-controlled by an artificially intelligent computer.

Infiltrators
Surveillance devices, small and insectile.

Interactive Blackboard
Early description of an interactive display device for lectures and demonstrations.

Metal BIrds
Surveillance robots that carried weapons, in addition to using their metal bodies.

Pencil Beam
A thin tube-like laser beam weapon.

Robot Tracking Device - preferred surveillance tool of AIs
Small UAV robot remotely operated by an artificially intelligent computer.

Transdermal Drug Capsule - slap it on
A drug capsule that delivers medication by being placed on the skin.

Vulcan 3 - endless self-modifying computer
Artificially intelligent self-modifying supercomputer.

 

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.