Lifeline by Robert Heinlein:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

“A new author suggests a means of determining the day a man must die — a startling plausible method.”

Lifeline is Robert Heinlein's first published story, appearing in Astounding Science Fiction in 1939. He wrote the story in response to a contest in Thrilling Wonder Stories for a $50 prize, but submitted it to Astounding and was paid $70.


('Lifeline' by Robert Heinlein)

Dr. Hugo Pinero has a machine, a "chronovitameter", that allows him to accurately predict the date of a person's death. As you might imagine, this has a profound impact on the insurance industry. Select an invention:

Chronovitameter - your birth and death revealed
Device that can determine a person's date of birth - and the date on which he or she will die.

 

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

JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
re: George Lucas
(3/15/2025)

Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
re: Bruce Sterling
(3/13/2025)

Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
re: Philip K. Dick
(3/11/2025)

Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
re: Katsuhiro Otomo
(3/9/2025)

Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
re: Neal Stephenson
(3/7/2025)

Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
re: Larry Niven
(3/5/2025)

TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
re: Larry Niven
(3/3/2025)

Harvard Metamaterials Change Structure Instantly
re: Samuel R. Delany
(3/1/2025)

SnapBot Robots - You Choose Their Legs And They Choose Their Gaits
re: Milton K Smith
(2/27/2025)

Dino From Magical Toys An AI Companion To Children
re: Anne McCaffrey
(2/25/2025)

Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
re: Isaac Asimov
(2/23/2025)

Darpa 'Defiant' Unmanned Autonomous Ship
re: Miles J. Breuer
(2/21/2025)

What's The Best Way To Ship And Unpack Humanoid Robots?
re: Elizabeth Bellamy
(2/19/2025)

DNA Printed Book By Isaac Asimov Now Available
re: Barbara Hambly
(2/17/2025)

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.