World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

This is Larry Niven's first novel (or novella); it explains a lot about the Known Space technologies seen in his later work. The novel begins two billion years ago, when a member of a telepathically powerful race (the Thrintun, later called Slavers in Niven's stories) has drive problems and puts himself in a stasis field hoping to be rescued soon. However, ages pass until he is discovered in the modern era. Select an invention:

Autodoc - automated medical device
An automated physician, a fully autonomous surgical robot.

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

Slaver Sunflowers
Plants evolved to reflect light to burn natural enemies.

 

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

Barista Robot Perfects Latte Swirl With Multi-DOF Wriggle
re: Anthony Boucher
(9/11/2023)

Vendetta 2023 All-Terrain Skateboard Could Use Neal Stephenson's Smartwheels
re: Neal Stephenson
(9/9/2023)

Safe Street Rebel Autonomous Vehicle Luddites And Schachner's 1931 Robot-Deranger
re: Schachner and Zagat
(9/7/2023)

The Electric Balance Bicycle And The Decline Of Western Civilization
re: David H. Keller
(9/5/2023)

'Droplet' Battery Microscale Power Pack
re: Alfred Bester
(9/3/2023)

ARX-5 Doing Robot Arm Dancing
re: Fritz Lang
(9/1/2023)

CD, DVD Bit Rot And PKD's Civic Notification Distorter
re: Philip K. Dick
(8/29/2023)

Inbiodroid Prometheus 2.0 Telepresence Avatar Robot
re: Manly Wade Wellman
(8/27/2023)

Amazon One Is Frank Herbert's Palm Lock
re: Frank Herbert
(8/25/2023)

DroneDog Ground Security Robot Dogs From Asylon
re: Neal Stephenson
(8/23/2023)

Who Knows What Might Be Found When Visiting A Metal Asteroid?
re: EC Tubb
(8/21/2023)

Giant Lunar Surface Test Bed Built On Earth
re: Various
(8/19/2023)

FlyCroTug Drones Work In Teams Now
re: James P. Hogan
(8/17/2023)

Zai Pits (West Sahel) And Dew Collectors (Dune)
re: Frank Herbert
(8/15/2023)

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.