Robert Heinlein:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas
Robert Anson Heinlein was born in Missouri in 1907; he died in 1988. He entered the Naval Academy in 1925 and was commissioned in 1929; his career as a naval officer was cut short by ill health. He studied engineering and mathematics at UCLA.

Heinlein also wrote as Anson MacDonald and Lyle Monroe. He wrote his first short story (Lifeline) in 1939. He wrote many well-known novels (see below). He received the Nebula Grand Master award in 1975.

Invention/Technology Source Work (Publication Date)

Drafting Dan - born before CAD
The first computer software drafting program (Computer Aided Design - CAD).

The Door Into Summer (1956)

Durite
Super-strong material used to counter reaction-blasts.

Misfit (1939)

Eager Beaver - your friendly robot helper
Your friendly robot helper.

The Door Into Summer (1956)

Fairy Digits (Tiny Waldoes)
Waldoes used for very fine work.

Waldo (1942)

Ferretscope - who's listening?
A counter-surveillance tool to detect the presence of listening devices.

If This Goes On... (1940)

Flat Cat
A nearly two-dimensional furry little beast.

The Rolling Stones (1952)

Flexible Frank - the all-purpose household robot
An all-purpose household robot.

The Door Into Summer (1956)

Flying Saucer - alien spacecraft
Spacecraft flown by the androgynes of Titan - under control of the Puppetmasters.

The Puppet Masters (1951)

Fold Box
A chest that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

Glory Road (1963)

Fresher - refreshing chamber
Short for "refreshing chamber,", it is the future of personal hygiene technology.

Methuselah's Children (1941)

'Fresher
Short for 'refreshing chamber', a device that performs various personal services.

Gulf (1949)

Galactovue
Star display.

Citizen of the Galaxy (1957)

Gravity Centrifuge
Used in low gravity environments to build up muscle for visits to Earth, or other high gravity worlds.

Space Cadet (1948)

Grok - a Martian sees and knows
To understand fully; become one with (from the Martial verb "to drink").

Stranger in a Strange Land (1961)

Groundhog
Not a space professional.

Waldo (1942)

Ground-to-Orbit Ferry
A kind of space shuttle craft.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966)

Group Ego - a kind of group mind
A group mind; a single entity that shares a number of bodies.

Methuselah's Children (1941)

Guided Missile Control Station
An orbital missile base.

Between Planets (1951)

Half-Sphere Force Field - not an ordinary spherical force field
A protective force field that can manifest even as a half-sphere.

Between Planets (1951)

Hands Free Helmet - chin up
The helmet of a powered suit has controls activated by head movements.

Starship Troopers (1959)

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