Science Fiction Dictionary: Ideas, Terms and Technology
( 3878 Inventions Available)

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Device Name Book/Story Author Date
Abglanz
A mask that hides identity.
The Mountain in the Sea Naylor  2022
Ablative Heat (Reentry) Shield
A single-use shield or covering designed to accept the heat of reentry and burn off.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
A-Bomb
Abbreviation for "atomic bomb".
Sixth Column MacDonald  1941
Absolute Black
A material so absolutely black that it absorbed all incident light.
Restaurant at the End of the Universe Adams  1980
Accelerated Schooling
Knowledge force-fed directly into the brain.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Accelerated Schooling Helmet
A device that stimulates the brain and imparts knowledge directly.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Acceleration Chair
A specially-designed chair used to help crew stay mobile during periods of high acceleration.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Acceleration Couch
A chair designed for use in during periods of high acceleration (multiple gravities).
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Acceleration Hammock
Webbing used to cushion acceleration in spacecraft.
Pioneer - 1957 Gade  1939
Acceleration Shell
A special suit designed to help people survive accelerations of up to twenty-five gravities.
The Forever War Haldeman  1974
Acceleration-tank
A water-filled tank used to ease the strains of acceleration.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
Accu-Terrain Floor
A special floor for virtual reality environments that simulates any kind of surface.
Natulife Brin  1994
Acoustic Apparatus (Osophone)
A device that used bone conduction to transmit sound.
Acoustic Apparatus Gernsback  1923
Actinoscope
A device that used a pulsating polarized ether wave to judge the distance to an object (a RADAR)
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Adam Selene
A computer generates a human avatar for itself.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Adaptene
Parent of all hormones, it makes possible the adaptation of the human organism to alien worlds.
The Impossible World Binder  1939
Adiabatic Pods
Tiny space capsules large enough to hold one passenger.
The Lady Who Sailed The Soul Smith  1960
Adjustable House
A house with elastic walls and structural members, the shape of which can be changed.
Gather, Darkness! Leiber  1943
Adjustable Television
A television that allowed viewers to adjust the content of political speeches.
The Simulacra Dick  1964
Adjustment
Making sure the man fits the job!
Placement Test Laumer  1964
Adnix
A device that muted the television to lessen the impact of commercials.
Contact Sagan  1985
Adoption of Television
Prediction of TV penetration in homes and the death of movie houses.
Prima Donna 1980 Brown  1931
Advertising Airship
A dirigible capable of reproducing full-color video ads on its sides.
Blade Runner Scott  1982
Aerial Dynamite Ships
Using airplanes to drop explosives during war.
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 Bird  1899
Aerial Navies
Use of vast numbers of air-ships (planes) to overwhelm land defenses.
The World Masters Griffith  1903
Aerial Telegraph
Communication between individuals in spacesuits.
Edison's Conquest of Mars Serviss  1898
Aeriduct (Rain Maker)
A specific means of producing rain.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Aero Bus (Flying Bus)
A flying bus.
What Not: A Prophetic Comedy Macaulay  1918
Aerocab
A floating taxicab.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Aerocab (Aeroflyer)
A electric flying taxi, or car.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Aerocar
A personal flying vehicle.
The Abduction of Alexandra Seine Smale  1900
Aerocycle (Ærocycle)
An aerial bicycle, human powered.
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 Bird  1899
Aerodrome (Ærodromes)
Flying machines.
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 Bird  1899
Aeromuse Pillow
A pillow that doubles as a music player.
The Human Blend Foster  2010
Aeropile
A fluttering wing airplane for a few passengers.
When the Sleeper Wakes Wells  1899
Aeroplane Baseball
A standard-sized baseball making possible non-standard pitches.
The Educated Pill Olsen  1928
Aerostat Monitor
A small flying platform, capable of maneuvering in three dimensions; can hover in place and communicate with others like it.
The Diamond Age Stephenson  1995
Aether Cannon
A hand-held energy weapon.
Storm Thief Wooding  2006
Agfom Potent-Shot
Special film allows user to take a picture of what happens in the next thirty minutes.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Aggressive-Response Service
An answering service with an attitude.
The Golden Globe Varley  1998
Agile Recording Robot
A recording machine that moves toward its subject.
Solar Lottery Dick  1955
Agony Box
A device for causing non-lethal, non-injuring pain by nerve induction.
Heretics of Dune Herbert  1984
Agricultural Robot Pest Controller
An agricultural robot specifically designed to perform pest control activities.
Runaway Crichton  1985
Agricultural World
Planet set aside for the production of food for another world.
Foundation Asimov  1951
AI-Based Hiring and Firing
Letting a computer system handle the hiring and firing of employees.
Manna Brain  2002
Air Blast
An air dryer for personal use.
Coventry Heinlein  1940
Air Renewal
Re-oxygenating the air within the projectile spacecraft.
From the Earth to the Moon Verne  1867
Air Scooter
A flying personal vehicle.
Space Double Schachner  1940
Air Speedster
Highly maneuverable air vehicle for hunting.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Air Tank Flying
Using little blasts of compressed air to fly around inside a space station.
The Power Planet Leinster  1931
Air Tunnel
A means of sending trains through the air.
Through the Air Tunnel Vincent  1929
Airbag Jacket
A jacket or coverall with inflatable air bags throughout for protection against impact.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Air-Blanket
A dome-less protective air shield.
Hollywood on the Moon Kuttner  1938
Airboarding
Typing in thin air to input characters into a computer.
Halting State Stross  2007
Aircab
A flying autonomous taxi cab.
The Barrier Vincent  1934
Air-Car
A personal flying car
A Matter of Size Bates  1934
Airchair
A floating armchair.
Killing Gramps Schwader  1988
Air-Conditioned Coat
An otherwise ordinary overcoat that fights the heat.
Deep Eddy Sterling  1993
Aircycle
Motorcycle for the air with gravimetric coils instead of wheels.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
AIRE
A piece of software that can break through encryption to determine exactly how a compiled program accomplishes its tasks.
Mother of Storms Barnes  1994
Air-Freighter Cargo Plane
An enormous airplane used for transporting cargo across the country.
The Invisible Raiders Repp  1929
Airjeep
A small military air vehicle.
Uller Uprising Piper  1952
Airlock
An intermediate chamber between airless space and the interior of a space craft.
Skylark of Space Smith  1928
Airmaker
A device that creates a specific breathable mix directly from the atmosphere.
Ringworld Niven  1970
Airmakers
Machine to create breathable air from the constituent materials on an alien planet.
The Big Rain Anderson  1954
Air-o-Stat
Provides life-giving air in spacecraft.
Satellite Five Barnes  1938
Airplane Window Ads
An airplane window that allows you to - see advertisements!
The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)  1952
Airpolo
Polo played in mid-air with special aircraft and helium-filled balls.
Sunward Flight Zagat  1943
Air-Propelled Train
A silent means of mass transit.
Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury  1953
Air-Restorer Capsule
A device that re-oxygenates air in space suits.
The Planet Strappers Gallun  1961
Air-Ship (VTOL Airship)
A flying machine capable of vertical take-off and landing.
The Angel of the Revolution Griffith  1893
Air-Shoes
Footgear provides the wearer with the ability to "walk" through the air, climbing as needed.
An Adventure in Time Flagg  1930
Air-Taxi
A flying taxicab with autonomous features.
Prelude to Foundation Asimov  1988
Air-Tight Cities
Cities with breathable air constructed on worlds with no atmosphere.
The Cosmic Pantograph Hamilton  1935
Air-Tight Suit
An special outfit that would allow a person to survive in vacuum.
Edison's Conquest of Mars Serviss  1898
Airtight Tent
A temporary structure for living on an airless moon or asteroid.
Asteroid of Fear Gallun  1951
Air-to-Surface Missile
Very early description of a projectile fired from an airship into a surface target.
The Angel of the Revolution Griffith  1893
Aladur
High tensile strength, lightweight material.
Sunward Flight Zagat  1943
Alcatraz of Space
A planetoid prison.
Reunion on Ganymede Simak  1938
Alcodote
A compound that maintains sobriety while drinking.
Space Viking Piper  1962
Alcoholic Reliever
Mechanized relief from alcoholism.
Bad Medicine Sheckley  1956
Alcohol-Sensing System
A vehicle subsystem that detected alcohol use in the driver, and then took control of the car away from the driver.
The Game Players of Titan Dick  1963
Alderson Point
One end of a tramline, a path between stars that can be traversed using a hyperdrive engine.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Alibi Archive
A recording made of transmissions from a personal implant that perceived everything that happened to that individual.
Hominids (Neanderthal Parallax) Sawyer  2003
Alien Life Form
Living organisms of non-Earth origin.
The Hothouse Planet Barnes  1937
Alien Self-Government
Rules to assure intelligent aliens the right to govern themselves in freedom.
Co-Operate or Else van Vogt  1942
Alien Tarantula
Interesting illustration of an animal with gecko-like manipulative capabilities.
Engine City MacLeod  2003
Alien Trojan
Malware from another world!
Out of the Dark Webber  2010
Alien Zoo
A zoo that brings together plants and animals from many planets.
The Dosadi Experiment Herbert  1977
Aliens Speak English
The skeleton men of Mercury speak English, but have a good reason for it.
The Mines of Haldar Hugi  1934
Allswell
An organic compound found (or placed) in food that calms and mellows those who partake of it.
Anathem Stephenson  2008
Alohydrolium
The lightest metal.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Alpha Insert
A special compound used to seal punctures in space craft.
Exiles of the Moon Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Alpha Plus
Intervening in the physical development of humans can result in enhancements.
Brave New World Huxley  1932
Alterable License Number
A device which permits a driver to alter the license plate without leaving the vehicle.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Alternate Computer Personality
A computer system that can take on complete, alternate personalities.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein  1966
Altitude Suit
Special gear for venturing out at high altitude or even space.
The Black Star Passes Campbell  1930
AM
A supercomputer that hates.
I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream Ellison  1967
AM-280 Needle Rifle
Device shoots a stream of steel needles.
A Matter For Men Gerrold  1983
Ampek F-a2 Recording System
A device that incorporated a living protoplasm, used as a recording and playback system.
The Simulacra Dick  1964
Amphibious Skimmer
Amphibious drone with blades.
Storm Thief Wooding  2006
Amtal Rule
Testing to destruction
Dune Herbert  1965
Anabolic Protoplaser
Uses laser light to repair wounds.
Spock, Messiah! Cogswell (w/C. Spano)  1976
Anacronopete (Time Machine)
A flying electric-powered time machine.
El Anacronopete Gaspar  1887
Anadrenalin
Has the opposite effect of adrenalin.
A Race Through Time Wandrei  1933
Analogue
A combination of a drug and a particular mental state allow a person to devolve to an animal level of their choice.
The Stars My Destination Bester  1956
Analogue Treatment
Hypnotic drug treatment that normalizes behavior in humans.
Ticket to Anywhere Knight  1952
Android
A synthetic being having the form of a human being.
The Cometeers Williamson  1936
Android Safety Mechanism
A device that temporarily incapacitates an android.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick  1968
Androide
A device having the form or likeness of a man.
Cyclopaedia Chambers  1727
Andy
A slang term for "android" - an artificially created humanoid being.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick  1968
Anemopter
Special craft for journeys through the atmosphere of a gas giant planet.
Finisterra Moles  2007
Angel Music Player
A device that beams music directly into your brain, without wires.
Flood Baxter  2008
Angel Teeth
Essentially a spear dropped from a great height (or from orbit) with a guidance system.
Freedom Suarez  2010
Animal-tissue Culture Vat
A means of producing artificial meat for food.
Uller Uprising Piper  1952
Annihilator Beam
A deadly ray that literally dissolved matter!
The Conquest of Gola Stone  1931
Ansible
Faster-than-light communication.
Rocannon's World LeGuin  1966
Answerboard
A forum or computer meeting location with experts on a particular topic.
Rainbows End Vinge  2006
Anti-Acceleration Engine For Space Suits
Counteracts the effects of high acceleration.
Black Destroyer van Vogt  1939
Anti-agathic drugs
Drugs that indefinitely postpone death from old age.
Cities in Flight Blish  1957
Anti-Burglar Installations
Every electronic house should have automated defenses.
The Angry House Smith  1955
Anti-Fatigue Pill
A pill that counteracts the effects of fatigue and lack of sleep.
The Silent Destroyer Juve  1929
Anti-Gerasone
Cheap immortality comes to your neighborhood convenience store.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Vonnegut, Jr.  1954
Anti-Glare Coated Glass
Special coated glass for space craft.
The Death's Head Meteor Jones  1930
Antigrav Boots
Footgear that negate gravity.
The Day We Celebrate Bond  1941
Antigravity
A force opposed to gravity.
The Vanguard of Neptune Walsh  1932
Anti-Gravity Belt
A device which, when worn, reduces exposure to the effects of gravitation.
Armageddon: 2419 A.D. Nowlan  1928
Anti-Gravity Drive
Electric force curves space.
The Last Evolution Campbell  1932
Antigravity Globe Arena
A spherical arena for wrestling.
Babel-17 Delany  1966
Antigravity Plate (Antigravity Raft)
A thin, circular craft that floats.
Co-Operate or Else van Vogt  1942
Anti-Heptant
A compound that erases specific areas of the brain.
To Live Forever Vance  1956
Antiholo Generator
Dispels intrusive hologram advertisements.
The Ophiuchi Hotline Varley  1977
Anti-Onc Cream
An ointment used to cure skin cancers.
Earth Brin  1990
Anti-Robot Propaganda
Human activity against robots.
Liar Asimov  1941
Anti-Spying Device
Foolproof means of defending against spy beams.
Foundation Asimov  1951
Antithermal Shield
A material that protected against climate warming.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick  1965
Anti-Tri-D Shot
Counteracts the deadly pesticide Tri-D.
The Morning of the Day They Did It White  1950
Antiturbulence Wings
Wings that are designed to buffer turbulence for passengers.
Deep Eddy Sterling  1993
Anti-Virus Design Software
Create a living space such that the spread of disease is less likely.
Super-Cannes: A Novel Ballard  2000
Antron
A single particle of antimatter - an antiproton.
Minus Planet Clark, Ph.D  1937
Apergy (Apergion)
An antigravity substance with sufficient power to propel a space ship from the Earth to Mars.
Across the Zodiac Greg  1880
Appetizer
An amazing adjunct to science-based restaurants; a room that increases appetite with gas!
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Arachnofiber Uniforms
Remarkable attire for a pizza delivery person; but given the violence of near future America, the protection offered by ordinary uniforms was insufficient.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Architectural Coral
A structure grown to a specific shape using small coral-like organisms.
A Gift From Earth Niven  1968
Arctic Signal Light
A means of communicating with spacecraft from the surface of the Earth.
A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV  1894
Argento-Platinoid Dispatch Box
Impenetrable message carriers.
Venus Mines, Incorporated Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Armor Cloth
Extremely tough synthetic fabric.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Armored Clothing
Ordinary apparel that contained both armor and muscle amplification devices.
The Dosadi Experiment Herbert  1977
Art-Derm
Artificial skin sprayed directly on the body.
Dr. Futurity Dick  1960
Arteria Portal
A wormhole entrance.
The Algebraist Banks  2004
Artibase
An artificial asteroid base between planets.
War Veteran Dick  1955
Artificial Atmosphere Machine
Not just oxygen, this gives you what you need in space.
Venus Mines, Incorporated Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Artificial Brain
A non-organic device structured like a human brain.
The Metal Giants Hamilton  1926
Artificial Butterfly
A mechanical, robotic butterfly.
Changeling Zelazny  1980
Artificial Cloth
The creation of fabrics without organic natural fibers.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Artificial eye
A surgically-implanted artificial eyeball.
Galactic Patrol Smith  1937
Artificial Eye Drone
A remote flying device that transmits its view to the operator.
Glimpse Wellman  1938
Artificial Eyes
Eyes that are the duplicate of what humans are born with, produced entirely artificially from elements.
Synthetic Cloukey  1930
Artificial Food
Food produced without soil, chemically.
The World Set Free Wells  1914
Artificial Gill Outfit
A diving suit that pulls air from the water.
We Can Remember It For You Wholesale Dick  1966
Artificial Gravity
Procuring gravitational forces without a suitably large mass.
Brigands of the Moon Cummings  1930
Artificial Gravity System
Producing a gravity field without a large nearby mass.
Last and First Men Stapledon  1930
Artificial Gravity-Assisted Childbirth
Using an artificial gravity field to assist (and accelerate) the process of childbirth.
Time Enough For Love Heinlein  1973
Artificial Intelligence Device (AID)
Hand-held device responds intelligently to military intelligence requests.
A Hymn Before Battle Ringo  2000
Artificial Island For Ocean Rocket Launch
An entirely artificial, floating island used as a launch platform.
Between Earth and Moon von Hanstein  1930
Artificial Life
Creating living beings from inorganic elements.
Across Space Hamilton  1926
Artificial Muscles
Replacement for organic muscle tissue.
Cyborg Caidin  1972
Artificial Planet
A very large constructed object in space.
Triplanetary Smith  1934
Artificial Planet
Constructed bodies the size of planets for habitation.
Star Maker Stapledon  1937
Artificial Silk
A fabric like silk produced entirely without silkworms.
In the Deep of Time Lathrop  1897
Artificial Telepathy
Using technology to determine thoughts, and then translate it to speech that could be shared electronically.
We All Died At Breakaway Station Meredith  1969
Artificial Transparent Element
A substance as strong as metal that you can see through.
Last and First Men Stapledon  1930
Artificial Womb
A room in which a human embryo waits for the necessary months as a fetus, preparing for birth (decanting).
Brave New World Huxley  1932
Artificially Grown Organs
Human organs suitable for transplantation, grown outside the body.
A Gift From Earth Niven  1968
Artificially Produced Speech
Speech produced by mechanical means, rather than with vocal chords.
Hotel Cosmos Gallun  1938
Artificially Pulsating Star
A star that has been modified to pulsate with a message to the entire universe.
The Cosmic Blinker Binder  1953
Artiforg
An artificial organ kept 'on line' in the body.
Ubik Dick  1969
Artif-Org
A mechanical version of a human organ.
Cantata 140 Dick  1964
Artigraft
Artificial skin graft.
Solar Lottery Dick  1955
Asbestos Sunshade
A means of shielding oneself from the sun's rays.
The Achilles Heel Gallun  1940
A-Som (Antisomnolence Drugs)
One simple pill removes the need for sleep.
Shuteye for the Timebroker Di Filippo  2006
Assassin Bird
A bird genetically engineered to accept instructions on how to kill.
Sparrowhawk Easton  1990
Assault Ship
A one-way, one-use spacecraft for depositing troops at the scene of a space battle.
The Forever War Haldeman  1974
Asterite
A person who was born and lived amongst the asteroids.
Collision Orbit Williamson  1942
Asteroid Belt
The circular region of space containing many small celestial bodies.
The Disc-Men of Jupiter Wellman  1931
Asteroid Claim Law
The legal steps required in claiming an asteroid
Jurisdiction Schachner  1941
Asteroid From Outside Solar System
An asteroid or similar body that comes from outside the solar system; an interstellar body.
Brigands of the Moon Cummings  1930
Asteroid Garden
A method for building a greenhouse on a small, airless body.
Asteroid of Fear Gallun  1951
Asteroid Homesteaders' School
An institution of learning where regular folks learned how to start a farm on an asteroid.
Asteroid of Fear Gallun  1951
Asteroid Lanes
Regular routes traversed by asteroids.
Jurisdiction Schachner  1941
Asteroid Lanes (Blasted)
Actually clearing safe routes through asteroid belts.
Flight of the Typhoon Kruse  1936
Asteroid Mine
The practice of seeking out and mining asteroids for their ore.
Love Among The Robots McDowell  1946
Asteroid Mining
The mining of asteroid ore, accomplished by traveling to these tiny bodies.
Edison's Conquest of Mars Serviss  1898
Asteroid Mining (Blasting)
Setting charges on an asteroid.
Asteroid of Gold Simak  1932
Asteroid Mining Robot
An autonomous robot able to effectively mine asteroids.
Catch That Rabbit Asimov  1944
Asteroid Nets
Capturing small asteroids or fragments using rocket nets.
Asteroid Justice Thiessen  1947
Asteroid Prison
A jail is the sole occupant of an asteroid.
One Against The Legion Williamson  1939
Asteroid Rocket
An engine attached to an asteroid to drive it through space.
Salvage in Space Williamson  1933
Asteroid Space Flyer
Specialized one-man craft for exploring asteroids.
The Death's Head Meteor Jones  1930
Asteroid-Metal
Metal mined from asteroids.
The Mechanical Monarch Tubb  1958
Astrogation (to Astrogate)
To navigate in space.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Astrogator
A person who acts as navigator for s space ship.
The Conquest of Space Lasser  1931
Astronaut
A person who travels in space.
The Death's Head Meteor Jones  1930
Astronaut (Ship)
The first instance of this phrase, it denotes a space-going vessel.
Across the Zodiac Greg  1880
Astroposit
Retro-style system provides a readout on your position anywhere in the galaxy.
The Hunch Anvil  1961
Asymptotic Drive
A propulsion drive that used a tiny black hole to generate energy.
Imperial Earth Clarke  1976
Atlotl/Gibiril Regimen
A method of altering the flow of energy in the body to aid in regrowth of damaged or missing tissue.
The Godmakers Herbert  1972
Atmosphere Control
Recently terraformed planets require constant maintenance.
The Mote in God's Eye Niven (w/J. Pournelle)  1974
Atmosphere Tester
A device used to test the composition of a sample of the atmosphere on another planet, to see if it is breathable by humans.
The Emperor of the Stars Schachner (w. AL Zagat)  1931
Atmospheric Advertising
A means of mass advertising to cities and countries.
In the Year 2889 Verne  1889
Atmospheric Braking
Using a planet's atmosphere to gradually decelerate a spacecraft.
Space Cadet Heinlein  1948
Atmospheric Pressure Control Plane
A vessel that flies by creating pockets of high and low pressure.
Around the World in 24 Hours Romans  1929
Atmospherics Switchboard
Make sure each hotel room has the right atmosphere from the right planet.
Lie on the Beam Peterson  1941
Atom Compactor (Metal Earthworm)
A tunneling device.
Death Dives Deep Ernst  1936
Atom-Gun
A handheld device that sprays atomic fire.
Revolt on the Tenth World Hamilton  1940
Atomic Automatic
Fires a special, rocket-like bullet.
Revolt on Io West  1940
Atomic Blast Weapon
Reduces the target to atoms.
The Achilles Heel Gallun  1940
Atomic Bomb
A weapon that uses an atomic chain reaction as an explosive force.
The World Set Free Wells  1914
Atomic Drill
An atomic-powered auger, for use in drilling deep into planets and asteroids.
Minus Planet Clark, Ph.D  1937
Atomic Energy
Splitting the atom to create a destructive force.
The Crack of Doom Cromie  1895
Atomic Energy Motor
An engine which utilizes atomic energy.
The Man from the Atom Wertenbaker  1926
Atomic Engine
A motor running on atomic fuel.
The World Set Free Wells  1914
Atomic Explosive
A handheld bomb that melted its way into an armored door, then detonated.
Hotel Cosmos Gallun  1938
Atomic Machine
A device that shrinks and expands its wearer.
The Man from the Atom Wertenbaker  1926
Atomic Microscopy
A device that can actually visualize a individual molecule and its parts.
The Crack of Doom Cromie  1895
Atomic Percolator
Make coffee with radiation.
The Golden Girl of Munan Vincent  1928
Atomic Pistol
Reduces the target to atomic dust.
Mutiny on Mercury Simak  1932
Atomic Shell
A nuclear munition, fired from a cannon.
Buck Rogers, 2430 AD Nowlan (w/D. Calkins)  1929
Atomic Torch
An atomic-powered cutting and welding tool.
One Against The Legion Williamson  1939
Atomic-Powered Lifting Suits
Special exoskeletons that would allow an ordinary human being to walk in doubled gravity.
The Brain Pirates Campbell  1938
Atomics
The field of nuclear energy.
Nerves del Rey  1942
Atom-Shifter
A device that 'softens' matter, making it possible for a person to pass through.
The Worlds of Tomorrow Wellman  1940
Atoplane
An airplane powered by nuclear energy, capable of tremendous speed and distance.
The Moon of Doom Bell  1928
Attraction Ray
In effect, a tractor beam.
Pirates of the Gorm Schachner  1932
Attractive Ray
A beam of radiation that pulls.
Crashing Suns Hamilton  1928
Attractor
A beam capable of holding objects motionless, as well as adjusting their position.
The Conquest of Gola Stone  1931
Audio Relay
A communication device implanted behind the ear; also used as an alarm for wake-up calls.
The Puppet Masters Heinlein  1951
Audiphone
Communication between space suits in the airless void of space.
Blood of the Moon Cummings  1936
Auto Course-Finding Pilot
A device that not only pilots the craft, but will also plot out a course for you.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Auto Shovel
Automated mining equipment for use in space.
The Simulacra Dick  1964
Autobus
Robot-guided public transportation.
Tidal Moon Weinbaum  1938
Autobutle
An automated servant.
The Godmakers Herbert  1972
Autocab
An fully automated taxi cab.
Between Planets Heinlein  1951
Auto-Car
A personal vehicle for indoor and outdoor use.
The Revolt of the Pedestrians Keller  1928
Auto-Clerk
An automated accounting system.
Beyond This Horizon Heinlein  1942
Autodoc
An automated physician, a fully autonomous surgical robot.
World of Ptavvs Niven  1965
Auto-Driven Auto (Spinner)
A vehicle that accepts coordinates and proceeds to its destination automatically.
The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) Zelazny  1966
Autofac (Nanorobots)
Very small robots working on self-replication
Autofac Dick  1955
Autofreighter
An autonomous vessel carrying trade materials.
The Mountain in the Sea Naylor  2022
AutoM8
A remote-controlled automobile.
Daemon Suarez  2009
Automat
Unusual name for an intelligent robot; short for "automaton"?
Mad Robot Gallun  1936
Automated Apartment Maintenance
Automated devices that would oversee the maintenance of a rented apartment.
Ubik Dick  1969
Automated DNA Typing
A device that takes quick samples of DNA and compares each sample to a database.
Gattaca Niccol  1997
Automated Drone Probes
Human-sized robot probes for exploration.
The Man in the Maze Silverberg  1969
Automated Factory
A factory that works entirely automatically, without human guidance.
The Hidden Colony von Hanstein  1935
Automated Hotel Reservation
A hotel that did not use clerks; a self-service hotel.
Methuselah's Children Heinlein  1941
Automated Laboratory
A fully automated machinery of invention.
The Shores of Death Moorcock  1964
Automated Restaurant
Food is prepared and served entirely automatically.
A Princess of Mars Burroughs  1912
Automated Search For Habitable Planets
Automated use of telescopes and other devices to search the universe for Earth-like planets.
Cosmic Quest Hamilton  1936
Automated Sentry
A biometric device that scans facial features for identification.
Darwin's Children Bear  2003
Automated Space Factories
Manufacturing based in space.
Mona Lisa Overdrive Gibson  1988
Automated Surface Measurement
A mechanical method of accurately measuring a surface.
When the Sleeper Wakes Wells  1899
Automated Taxi
A driverless taxicab.
Sagramanda Foster  2006
Automated Travel Bureau
A computer program that allows individuals to book their travel arrangements themselves, with a credit card.
Friday Heinlein  1982
Automated Wake-Up Call
A device that provides automated wake-up calls.
The Kokod Warriors Vance  1952
Automatic Air Mail Plane
A pilotless airplane for delivery of cargo.
The Living Machine Keller  1935
Automatic Car (Autonomous)
A car that drives itself; an autonomous vehicle.
Paradise and Iron Breuer  1930
Automatic City
A city designed to protect itself and maintain itself over millions of years.
The Man in the Maze Silverberg  1969
Automatic Commercial Deletion
Device automatically detects commercials and turns off the set for the duration.
Satellite Five Barnes  1938
Automatic Companion Robot
A robotic replacement for a pet or friend.
The Midas Plague Pohl  1954
Automatic Control Car
An autonomous vehicle.
Imperial Earth Clarke  1976
Automatic Cultivators
Agricultural robots.
Piracy Preferred Campbell  1930
Automatic Delivery Library
A library able to deliver any volume within a few moments.
The Lord of Tranerica Coblentz  1939
Automatic Door
A wall strip that rolls up automatically to let you through.
When the Sleeper Wakes Wells  1899
Automatic Factory
Manufacturing facility that functions entirely autonomously.
Autofac Dick  1955
Automatic Gun
A sentry gun that could target and decide to fire without any human intervention.
The Andromeda Strain Crichton  1969
Automatic Hotel (Hotel Hendrix)
A fully automated hotel; complete services provided from check-in to check-out.
Altered Carbon Morgan  2003
Automatic Judge
Automatically listens to the plaintiff and defendant and provides a just verdict.
Dr. Hackensaw's Secrets Some Minor Inventions Fezandie  1926
Automatic Light Switch
A device that senses if an illuminated room is empty, and turns off the light.
The Man Who Sold The Moon Heinlein  1950
Automatic Massager
An autonomous massage machine with robotic arms and hands.
Far Centaurus van Vogt  1944
Automatic Navigator
Device steers your spaceship to its destination without additional effort from you.
A Matter of Size Bates  1934
Automatic Ore Cart
An autonomous truck for raw ore processing.
Autofac Dick  1955
Automatic Parking
Vehicle autonomously heads for a public hangar.
Twilight Campbell  1934
Automatic Pilot
A device to control the movement of aircraft using computer components.
The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth)  1952
Automatic Refueling Screen
Repels objects that are too big, and gathers small ones for fuel.
Biddiver Sturgeon  1941
Automatic Reversed Memory
A device that activates memories and plays them back in reverse order.
Brain Control Cummins  1937
Automatic Shell
A projectile that bores through obstacles - even the Earth!
The Great Stone of Sardis Stockton  1897
Automatic Speeding Fine
An automated device that not only computes the speed of a vehicle, but registers and then issues an electronic citation.
Old Fireball Schachner  1941
Automatic Ticket Machine
Get your ticket to Trantor automatically.
Second Foundation Asimov  1953
Automatic Toll Payment
An automated car that pays its own toll.
The Living Machine Keller  1935
Automatic Truck
A cargo-carrying vehicle that autonomously drives to the selected destination.
Mechanocracy Breuer  1932
Automatic Valet
A robotic manservant.
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 Bird  1899
Automatic Vein Finder
A device to automatically locate veins for intravenous needle insertion.
The Andromeda Strain Crichton  1969
Automatic-Electric Packing Machine
A device able to pack randomly shaped objects combined into a single package automatically.
Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback  1911
Automatics
Machinery capable of running some aspect of a space ship's operation on its own.
Wandl, The Invader Cummings  1932
Automatized Factory
A factory consisting of machines with imposed human abilities.
The Tunnel Under The World Pohl  1955
Automatobile
An autonomous private car.
Sally Asimov  1953
Automatobus
An autonomous or self-driving bus seating a number of people.
Sally Asimov  1953
Automaton Chessplayer
The first chess-playing computer.
Moxon's Master Bierce  1910
Automaton Steam Surgeon
Mechanized surgery.
The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century Loudon  1828
Automonk
A robot with an AI trained on an individual monk.
The Mountain in the Sea Naylor  2022
Auto-Navigation
Automatic car navigation, provided on a video console in the dashboard.
The Dream Master (He Who Shapes) Zelazny  1966
Autonomic Cab
An automated taxicab (without robotic driver).
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick  1965
Autonomic Food-Processing System
Technology allows food to be prepared untouched by human hands.
Cantata 140 Dick  1964
Autonomic Interviewer
A robotic reporter.
The Zap Gun Dick  1965
Autonomic Plow
A set of farm implements able to combine and perform as a weapon.
Clans of the Alphane Moon Dick  1964
Autonomous Assassination Drone
A flying UAV that is self-guided to a target, destroys the target, and is capable of destroying itself after mission completion.
Kill Decision Suarez  2012
Autonomous Car Intercommunication
Automatic cars talk to each other about everything.
Sally Asimov  1953
Autonomous Digging Machine
A mechanical device able to excavate on its own.
The War of the Worlds Wells  1898
Autonomous Ship
A sea-going vessel that can leave port, traverse vast distances, and then dock, entirely without human assistance.
Paradise and Iron Breuer  1930
Autonomous Truck
A truck that drives itself and unloads itself.
Autofac Dick  1955
Autonomously Recharging UAV
Unmanned aerial vehicles that recharge themselves automatically.
Changeling Zelazny  1980
Autoporter
A device that carries your bag for you at airports.
The Shockwave Rider Brunner  1975
Auto-Scan
Automated control of remote surveillance drones.
This Moment of the Storm Zelazny  1966
Auto-Seal
Automatically deployed cover for power outlets; instant child-proofing.
Stand on Zanzibar Brunner  1968
Autosecretary (Autosec)
A software agent able to accept your query and then seach the public net for related information.
Earth Brin  1990
Autosight Achronic Beam
A range-finder for weaponry that isn't limited by time, for the ultimate in accuracy.
Hindsight Williamson  1940
Autosurgeon
A mechanical aid to physicians, performing surgical procedures with surgeons present.
Altered Carbon Morgan  2003
Auto-Treadmills (Needle-Gym)
A simulation-exercise room floor that allows the user to walk and run on a consistently realistic surface.
Natulife Brin  1994
Ava
A piece of learning software.
The Calcutta Chromosome Ghosh  1995
Avatar
A computer-enhanced doppelganger; a computer-generated image that takes your place in a three-dimensional online encounter.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Avatar Construction Set
A collection of software that allows the building of a complete avatar.
Snow Crash Stephenson  1992
Axolotl Tank
A device to regenerate or reshape organic material.
Dune Messiah Herbert  1969

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Science Fiction
in the News

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re: Philip K. Dick
(3/4/2024)

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re: Stanley G. Weinbaum
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Robot Snakes No Longer Stopped By Stairs
re: Lee Chaytor
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Has Turkey Been Stealing Rain From Iran?
re: Neal Stephenson
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We Need To Build Anti-Drone Systems For Civilian Spaces
re: Neal Stephenson
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SensorWake Scent-Based Alarm Clock
re: Frank Herbert
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AI Worms That Spread
re: John Brunner
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Challenges Of Two-Armed Robots
re: Various
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FlexRAM Liquid Metal RAM And One Particular SF Movie Robot
re: Philip K Dick
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Ulm Sleep Pods For The Homeless
re: Larry Niven
(2/14/2024)

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re: Peter Watts
(2/12/2024)

More Like A Tumblebug Than A Motorcycle
re: Robert Heinlein
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re: Miles J. Breuer
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First Ever Proof Of Water On Asteroids
re: Raymond Z. Gallun
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Aptera Solar EV More Stylish Than Heinlein Steel Tortoise
re: Robert Heinlein
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Gigantic Space Sunshade Would Fight Global Warming
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Untethered Spacewalk's 50th Anniversary
re: Dom Passante
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ESA Designs Huge Inflatable Moonbase
re: Philip K. Dick
(1/28/2024)

AlphaGarden Robot Cares For Gardens Better Than Humans
re: Frank Herbert
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Let's Make Slaver Sunflowers! Engineering Plants To Reflect Light
re: Larry Niven
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TeslaBot Uber Driver (2024) And The Automatic Motorist (1911)
re: Philip K. Dick
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DiffuseBot Uses Generative AI To Invent New Soft Robots
re: Maurice Hugi
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Philips Smart Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt
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