Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Tunnel Boring Machine B6 For Sale
Ebay really has everything you need - even a drill bit with specs like these:
- Has 227 double-headed rock picks tipped with tungsten carbide
- Possesses a revolving speed of 2.38 revolutions per minute
- As one of 10 TBM, it ate through millions of cubic metres of chalk and soil in digging the Channel Tunnel
For a fanciful look at how a tunnel-boring machine could be used as a recreational vehicle, see the mole from Oath of Fealty, a 1981 novel by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven.
Update 09-Feb-2017:
Take a look at this illustration from Ed Earl Repp's 1929 Science Wonders Stories yarn The Metal World:
End update.
The Tunnel Boring Machine B6 was one of eleven machines used to dig out the Eurotunnel. Read more about the Eurotunnel Drilling History. The first plans for a tunnel were put forward in 1802 by French mining engineer Albert Mathieu. The first link between the UK and mainland Europe? A natural isthmus that existed up until about 13,000 years ago. See also Eurotunnel Drill Bids Reach 5 Million Pounds (thanks to Slashdot).
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 4/6/2004)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 7 )
Related News Stories - (" Engineering ")
Anker's SOLIX Solar Umbrella Portable Power
As predicted by science fiction thirty-five years ago!
TSA 2 - Advanced Thermosensory Stimulator Is A Dune Pain Box
'As though a switch had been turned off, the pain stopped...' - Frank Herbert, 1965.
Amazing Wheel Shapeshifting In Real Time
'Each spoke telescopes into sections.' - Neal Stephenson, 1992
Mercedes Benz Solar Paint
'It turns sunlight into electricity, just like any solar power converter - you spray it on.' - Larry Niven, 1995.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Stargate $500 Billion Investment in Artificial Intelligence
'... an artificial intelligence equal to the human.'
Jetson Orin Nano Super 70 Just $249
'Rayno folded up the microterm and tucked it back inside his jumper.'
Nano-Chainmail 2D Mechanically Interlocked Polymer
'Nemourlon armor of reasonable weight resists penetration by most fragments and any bullet that is not both reasonably heavy and fairly high-velocity.'
Anker's SOLIX Solar Umbrella Portable Power
As predicted by science fiction thirty-five years ago!
Positioned Cybertrucks With Free Starlinks WiFi In LA
'Several thousand of them formed the positioning grid on the rubble pile.'
AI-THu Shapeshifting Transformer Home
'Its slack walls tightened, bulged, were crossed by ripples and waves of movement.'
Xiaomi Self-Driving Self-Balancing Scooter
'Norman... had never ridden any motorized device that lacked onboard steering and balance systems.'
Transparent 4K OLED Wireless TV From LG
You will note that HG Wells also figured out the aspect ratio of the future!
TSA 2 - Advanced Thermosensory Stimulator Is A Dune Pain Box
'As though a switch had been turned off, the pain stopped...'
Humans Love Helping Other Species
'At the ringside opposite them a table had been removed to make room for a large transparent plastic capsule on wheels.'
Organic Non-Planar 3D Printing
'It makes drawings in the air following drawings...'
Your Window For Being A Tesla Optimus Remote Operator May Be Closing
'... he realized that the moving thing inside was - of course - a robot.'
Waymo Autonomous Cab Hits Autonomous Delivery Robot
'Not since the time he rewired the delivery robot...'
Amazing Wheel Shapeshifting In Real Time
'Each spoke telescopes into sections.'
Drone With Face Recognition Could Hunt You
'The spotter descends, and we think it searches the vicinity, looking for the victim’s face...'
Jizai Arms 'Free Limbs' Wearable Cyborg Arms
'Guy named Otto Octavius winds up with eight limbs. Four mechanical arms welded right onto his body. What are the odds?'
