 |
Science Fiction Dictionary: Ideas, Terms and Technology
(
3634 Inventions Available)
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
| Device Name | Book/Story | Author | Date |
| Nanny Robot A child-care robot with a surprisingly competitive side. |
Nanny | Dick | 1955 |
| Nanobot A robot constructed with nanotechnology. |
Steel Beach | Varley | 1992 |
| Nanofax Send a copy of a three-dimensional object to a distant place. |
All Tomorrow's Parties | Gibson | 1999 |
| Nanomachine Lidar Radar-like system that uses electromagnetic radiation at optical frequencies (visible light) for range-finding and analysis. |
The Diamond Age | Stephenson | 1995 |
| Nanomachine Swarm (Black Cloud) A cloud of tiny machines, able to work together autonomously. |
The Invincible | Lem | 1954 |
| Nano-Paste Nanobots that use the resources around it to create a desired product. |
Alpha Centauri | Meier | 1999 |
| Nanotech Buildings Enormous buildings built with nanotech fibers. |
Idoru | Gibson | 1996 |
| Napcap Capsule A handy refuge for travelers in busy terminals; a sleep aid when you really need one. |
Saturn's Race | Niven (w/S. Barnes) | 2000 |
| Napcap Induction Cap A device that aids sleep and relaxation by working with the subject's brain waves. |
Saturn's Race | Niven (w/S. Barnes) | 2000 |
| National Network Surveillance A system for providing the government with a way to monitor computer network use. |
The Shockwave Rider | Brunner | 1975 |
| Nautilus The wondrous submarine of Captain Nemo; the instrument of his escape from humanity and his revenge upon it. |
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Verne | 1875 |
| Navicloud Custom Debinder A machine that pulls books apart and scans the contents. |
Rainbows End | Vinge | 2006 |
| N-e (Needle-eyeification) Weapon A class of weapons that had the most precise effect imaginable. |
The Zap Gun | Dick | 1965 |
| Nearleather Fake leather. |
What's Become of Screwloose? | Goulart | 1970 |
| Near-Space Solar Energy Collectors Generating power from solar radiation closer to the source. |
Star Maker | Stapledon | 1937 |
| Necap A device that burns out neural connections. |
The Human Blend | Foster | 2010 |
| Neck Radio Commercial radio from an implanted device. |
Our Friends From Frolix 8 | Dick | 1970 |
| Neck-Phone An implanted telecommunications device. |
The Chromium Fence | Dick | 1955 |
| Needle Beam Gat A thin disintegrator beam. |
Moon Crystals | Haggard | 1936 |
| Needle Gun A weapon that fires thin slivers of metal. |
The Empress of Mars | Rocklynne | 1939 |
| Needle Pipe A device that could project slivers of metal at near light speed. |
Beyond the Stars | Cummings | 1928 |
| Needlecast A tightbeam transmission of your very being. |
Altered Carbon | Morgan | 2003 |
| Needle-Gun Small palm-sized weapon. |
Lucky Starr and the Moons of Jupiter | Asimov | 1957 |
| Needle-Ray Very thin beam of destruction. |
Skylark of Valeron | Smith | 1934 |
| Needles (Chocolate and Vanilla) Inflated towers reaching 20 miles out of Earth's atmosphere. |
Sundiver | Brin | 1979 |
| Negative Acceleration Turning a torchship through a half-circle, thereby applying force in the direction of motion, slowing the ship down. |
Skylark of Space | Smith | 1928 |
| Negative Gravity Field Antigravity effect produced for space ship propulsion. |
50th Century Revolt | Stangland | 1932 |
| Negative Matter Space Drive A reactionless space drive using negative matter. |
Timemaster | Forward | 1992 |
| Negative Molecular Motion A state of matter that has a temperature below absolute zero. |
The Universe Between | Nourse | 1951 |
| Negative Safety-Field A paragravity-based shield for space craft. |
Collision Orbit | Williamson | 1942 |
| Negrian Death Ray A ray that causes the cessation of life processes. |
Invaders From The Infinite | Campbell | 1932 |
| Nemourlon Material for special body armor. |
West of Honor | Pournelle | 1976 |
| Neo-Crystal Unbreakable transparent window material. |
Master of the Asteroid | Smith | 1932 |
| Neodog Canine-derived animal, genetically engineered for increased intelligence and speech. |
Starship Troopers | Heinlein | 1959 |
| Neoterics Pure engineering genius on tap. |
Microcosmic God | Sturgeon | 1941 |
| Neotopological Metaeuclidean Adjacency A portal through space-time. |
The Hole in the Hole | Bisson | 1994 |
| Nerve Machine A device that delivers pure pain via neural currents. |
The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge | Harrison | 1970 |
| Net Shutdown Worm A tapeworm designed to shut down a nationwide network in the event of national emergency. |
The Shockwave Rider | Brunner | 1975 |
| Netwar Making use of various means to disrupt the enemy's military and civilian information networks. |
Distraction | Sterling | 1998 |
| Network Monitoring Detection Detection of someone monitoring your computer workstation |
The Dosadi Experiment | Herbert | 1977 |
| Networked Personal Device The idea that the true power of a mobile device lies in it's backend network capabilities. |
The Age of The Pussyfoot | Pohl | 1966 |
| Networked Telephone Answering Machine A device that would accept verbal messages and store them for replay from any remote station. |
Men Like Gods | Wells | 1923 |
| Networked World Very early description of our dependence on technology and communication. |
When the Sleeper Wakes | Wells | 1899 |
| Neural Cut Out Chip An electronic device which, when implanted in the brain of the subject, allows software to take over that person's body.. |
Neuromancer | Gibson | 1984 |
| Neural Door Lock A device that provides access based on neurological data. |
The Unreconstructed M | Dick | 1957 |
| Neural Lace An interface between the brain and computer facilities. |
Surface Detail | Banks | 2010 |
| Neuristor A solid-state computer component that mimics the human neuron. |
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress | Heinlein | 1966 |
| Neuristor Brain A computer device made up of neuristors. |
My Name is Legion | Zelazny | 1976 |
| Neuroinduction Field Keeps the patient still without the use of cumbersome restraints or drugs. |
Starfish | Watts | 1999 |
| Neuro-netsukes A small sculpture containing the personality of a living person. |
Rim | Besher | 1994 |
| Neuronic Control Apparatus A device that communicated with a brain implant, granting both sight and control. |
Masson's Secret | Gallun | 1939 |
| Neuronic Receptor-Transmitter A device which, implanted in the brain, can both transmit sight and sound, and enable control of the body by a remote operator. |
Masson's Secret | Gallun | 1939 |
| Neuronic Whip A weapon that stimulated the nerve endings to cause extreme discomfort. |
The Stars, Like Dust | Asimov | 1951 |
| Neutral (Point) The point at which the gravitational pull of the sun and that of a planet cancel each other out. |
On The Martian Way | Bishop | 1907 |
| Neutralizing Wall A barrier that stops electrical and mechanical vibrations, rendering the protected area effectively invisible. |
The Golden Girl of Munan | Vincent | 1928 |
| Neutron Disruption Blaster Beam pistol which splits neutrons into protons and electrons, releasing enormous energy. |
The Complete Paratime | Piper | 1951 |
| Neutronic Dust What's left over when you've annihilated matter. |
Twelve Hours To Live | Williamson | 1931 |
| Neutronic Shielding Very high density monomolecular shielding |
The Sign of the Tiger | Nourse (w/Meyer) | 1958 |
| Neutronium Extremely dense material. |
Skylark Three | Smith | 1930 |
| Neutronium Slippers Special footgear to keep ones footing in lower gravities. |
Revolt on the Tenth World | Hamilton | 1940 |
| New Moon Casino Satellite An enormous artificial moon, it was far easier to get to than the Old Moon. |
One Against The Legion | Williamson | 1939 |
| New Suns From Old Creating new stars by crashing together the cinders of dead stars. |
The Cosmic Pantograph | Hamilton | 1935 |
| News Clown A person who delivers specially selected light news. |
Stand-By | Dick | 1963 |
| News Receptor Devices used by homeostatic newspapers to gather news autonomically. |
If There Were No Benny Cemoli | Dick | 1953 |
| News Roundup A device that presents brief story outlines, any of which can be chosen to find details. |
Beyond This Horizon | Heinlein | 1942 |
| Newsbox (News-Receptor) Also referred to as a microviewer; could search media programming for news on a particular words used in the broadcast. |
Methuselah's Children | Heinlein | 1941 |
| News-Dispenser Audio news ready when you are. |
After Armageddon | Flagg | 1932 |
| Newspad A notebook-sized computer and display screen for reading news stories or other text matter. |
2001: A Space Odyssey | Clarke | 1968 |
| Newspad Electronic Newspaper An electronic version of a newspaper. |
2001: A Space Odyssey | Clarke | 1968 |
| Newstaper Gear The devices used by a person who serves as a reporter, cameraman and story finder. |
Flash Crowd | Niven | 1972 |
| Nexialist A person with a coordinative knowledge across a variety of sciences. |
Voyage of the Space Beagle | van Vogt | 1950 |
| Nexus-6 Brain Unit The processing power behind android intelligence. |
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | Dick | 1968 |
| Nexus-7 Android The next version after the Nexus-6. |
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | Dick | 1968 |
| Nickalum An alloy of aluminum crystalized within a magnetic field for exceptional strength. |
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 | Bird | 1899 |
| Nightmask Night vision mask (similar to a diving mask) with an infrared light source. |
Hellstrom's Hive | Herbert | 1972 |
| Nikon Eyes Artificially cultivated eyes that can be transplanted to replace (or repair) your original pair. |
Neuromancer | Gibson | 1984 |
| Nipple-Assist A multi-purpose electronic device worn upon the nipple. |
Lies, Inc. | Dick | 1964 |
| No Human Programmers The idea that computers are too complicated and too important to be programmed by human beings. |
Millenium | Varley | 1983 |
| No Steering Wheel Autonomous Car An autonomous vehicle without a wheel for human drivers. |
The Living Machine | Keller | 1935 |
| No-Globe A large spherical living space that is concealed by special Ixian technology, making it impossible to detect by any known probe. |
Heretics of Dune | Herbert | 1984 |
| Noninterference With Other Worlds Earliest expression of the 'Prime Directive' idea. |
In the Deep of Time | Lathrop | 1897 |
| Normal Space As opposed to hyperspace. |
Islands of Space | Campbell | 1931 |
| Norm-All Program A set of algorithms that determine a reasonable location for every citizen. |
Spark | Twelve Hawks | 2014 |
| Nose Gun Weapon system located up high. |
Arm of the Law | Harrison | 1958 |
| Nose Tubes Rocket blasts from the front of a ship, to brake it. |
The Cavern of the Shining Pool | Zagat | 1937 |
| No-Ship A ship that uses an Ixian field to be effectively invisible. |
Heretics of Dune | Herbert | 1984 |
| Nothing A super-hard substance created by carefully removing material. |
It was Nothing - Really! | Sturgeon | 1969 |
| Novel-Writing Machines A device that automatically produces fiction. |
1984 | Orwell | 1948 |
| Nubot An android that directly replaces a human at their job. |
Spark | Twelve Hawks | 2014 |
| Nuclear Shears Device uses nuclear power to accomplish basic shop tasks. |
Foundation | Asimov | 1951 |
| Nuclear-Field Depressor A device that causes nuclear-powered devices to stop working. |
Foundation and Empire | Asimov | 1952 |
| Nucleocat Cureall Only human cells can survive contact. |
Contagion | MacLean | 1950 |
| Nullboxing Bubble The 'ring' used for a sport played out in free fall; essentially kickboxing in space. |
Streetlethal | Barnes | 1983 |
| Nullentropy Bin A compartment in which entropy was halted. |
Heretics of Dune | Herbert | 1984 |
| Nullfield A field of energy that creates a barrier. |
The Ophiuchi Hotline | Varley | 1977 |
| Null-Suit A device that projects a field of force that acts like a space suit. |
The Ophiuchi Hotline | Varley | 1977 |
| Numbitol You guessed it, a topical anesthetic. |
The Mote in God's Eye | Niven (w/J. Pournelle) | 1974 |
| Nurse Drone A larger flying platform to provide power to smaller drones. |
The Diamond Age | Stephenson | 1995 |
| Nutrient Extractor and Maximizer (NEM) Device that replaces and extends the capabilities of the human digestive system. |
The Human Blend | Foster | 2010 |
| Nutrient Gelatin Tank Essential hardware for creating a new, improved humanity - isotope men! |
The Isotope Men | Schachner | 1936 |
| Nutri-Matic A drink dispenser that scans the person to determine what might go down well. |
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Adams | 1979 |
| Nutritious Pellets Food in pill form. |
Looking Forward: A Dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999 | Bird | 1899 |
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
Didn't find
what you were looking for?
Want to Submit
an Item? Comments? Corrections? Contact
us!
Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions, devices and technology of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the 3,300+ item Dictionary of Science Fiction, the Science Fiction Timeline, or see what's New. Read more than 6,000 science fiction made real stories - Science Fiction in the News.
Science Fiction
in
the News
Sky Cruise Nuclear Powered Flying Hotel Concept
re: Ed Earl Repp
(7/5/2022)
The Mojo Smart Contact Lens Experience
re: Vernor Vinge
(7/3/2022)
Small Town Wants 60 License Plate Readers
re: Robert Heinlein
(7/1/2022)
Lightyear 0 World's First Production-Ready Solar Car
re: Robert Heinlein
(6/29/2022)
AI Robots Excel At Trash Sorting And Recycling
re: Harry Harrison
(6/28/2022)
Could Increased Space Rocketry Damage The Ozone Layer?
re: Peter F. Hamilton
(6/27/2022)
Dyson's Secret Household Robots
re: Robert Heinlein
(6/25/2022)
Festo BionicSwift Bird Robots Described In 1930
re: C.E. Heller
(6/23/2022)
Robotics Jobs In The Food Industry
re: C.E. Heller
(6/21/2022)
Prototype 3D Printer Could Print Arteries In Seconds
re: Clifford Simak
(6/19/2022)
China Wants 'Hard Kill' Capability To Counter Starlink Satellites
re: John Brunner
(6/17/2022)
Low-Cost Gel Pulls Water From Atmosphere Like Star Wars Vaporator
re: George Lucas
(6/15/2022)
Pixy Flying Selfie Drone From Snap
re: Karen Traviss
(6/13/2022)
Smallest Remote-Controlled Walking Robot Crabs
re: Raymond Z. Gallun
(6/11/2022)
Pleasure Model Replicants Now Available
re: Alice W. Fuller
(6/9/2022)
Robot Covered In Living Human Skin
re: James Cameron
(6/7/2022)
Dall-E 2 Creates Art To Order
re: F.L. Wallace
(6/5/2022)
SpaceX Rocket Quick Reaction Force
re: Robert Heinlein
(6/3/2022)
Do AIs Create Their Own Language?
re: Francis Flagg
(6/1/2022)
Vortex Rings Of Light
re: John W. Campbell
(5/29/2022)
Google Engineer Convinced LaMDA Chatbot Is Sentient, Is Sent Home
re: Arthur C. Clarke
(5/27/2022)
Sorry, Futurists! Tamagotchi Kids, Virtual Children Already Predicted By SF Writer in 2008
re: Stephen Baxter
(5/25/2022)
Tortoise Mobile Smart Stores
re: Karl Schroeder
(5/23/2022)
Solar House Concept Unfolds Solar Panels Like A Flower
re: Clifford Simak
(5/21/2022)
