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Sci-Fi Ideas
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Year
Idea
Description
1638
Gansas
Migratory birds that fly all the way to the Moone.
1705
Cogitator (The Chair of Reflection)
A device which improves the rationality of the thinking processes.
1726
Knowledge Engine
The first reference to a machine that could create sentences or write books.
1846
Forced Scholars
Hothouse intellectuals.
1864
Whispering Gallery
A means of communication in specifically shaped spaces.
1872
Mechanical Consciousness
The notion that machines may develop a form of consciousness.
1879
Home News Printer
A device that prints out the newspaper of your choice right in your own home.
1883
Telephonoscope
A device that effectively transmits pictures and sound over long distances.
1888
Telephonic Music Room
Places where a person could go, at any time, to share in musical performances happening at some distance away.
1889
Atmospheric Advertising
A means of mass advertising to cities and countries.
1889
Phonotelephote
A means of transmitting and receiving both voice and picture for a personal conversation.
1889
Live News
The modern concept of a news broadcast.
1889
Recorded News
This is the basic idea behind Tivo and VCRs.
1895
Manufactured Wife
A wife made to order, programmed to meet her husband's requirements.
1897
Noninterference With Other Worlds
Earliest expression of the 'Prime Directive' idea.
1897
Invisibility
The idea that it is possible to make a person invisible using some sort of optical technology to alter the body.
1897
Sun-Telephone
Receives transmissions from the sun itself.
1897
Planetary Telegraphing
A method for communicating with dwellers on other planets in the solar system.
1898
Aerial Telegraph
Communication between individuals in spacesuits.
1899
Kinetiscope Appliance
A small object that could show a variety of artificially created or extrapolated images.
1899
Moving Picture Player
A machine that plays recorded pictures back for a single person - a combination DVD player and screen.
1899
Babble Machine
Not just television - this describes what we call 'the idiot box' (technology and media).
1899
DVD/VCR (Entertainment Player)
A device that accepts stored moving picture entertainment and makes it available for viewing.
1899
Networked World
Very early description of our dependence on technology and communication.
1901
Translatophone
A device that performs mechanical translation of one language into another.
1909
Cinematophote (Blue Optic Plate)
The first reference to a tablet-sized, handheld screen.
1909
Video Communicator
A device that carried both voice and image, letting the two parties see each other.
1910
Automaton Chessplayer
The first chess-playing computer.
1911
Hypnobioscope
The first fictional reference to sleep teaching.
1911
Telephot
A device that combined the functions of telephone and television; a phone with a screen.
1911
Menograph (Mind-Writer)
Direct translation of thought to paper.
1911
Personalized News
First reference to news that is customized to the needs of each individual subscriber.
1911
Telautograph
First fictional reference to a fax machine.
1911
Detectophone
First use of the idea of a voice-activated machine.
1911
Language Rectifier
The first reference to machine-translation of human languages.
1915
Visaphone System Zoom Call
An amazingly early description of a modern zoom call on a big screen monitor.
1915
Pocket wireless phone
An entirely portable, pocket-sized, telephone.
1917
Tele-Photophonic Attachment
A device that permits a telephone funnel to see as well as hear.
1917
Telephone Funnel
A kind of two-way public loudspeaker.
1917
Open-Air Moving Picture Shows
Public news outlets
1918
Photophone
A device that provided a view of the other booth.
1922
Membrane
A listening device.
1923
Networked Telephone Answering Machine
A device that would accept verbal messages and store them for replay from any remote station.
1923
Wireless Access Point
Infrastructure that provides power and wireless communication.
1926
Computer Vision (Artificial Eye)
A device which, attached to a suitable computer, will allow the device to see.
1926
Atomic Machine
A device that shrinks and expands its wearer.
1926
Artificial Brain
A non-organic device structured like a human brain.
1928
Psycho-Phone
A device that recorded and played back the thoughts of the user.
1928
Telestereo
A disk, upon which the projected image of the distant sender appears.
1928
Attractive Ray
A beam of radiation that pulls.
1928
Raytron Apparatus
A device for aerial surveillance; the image was transmitted back to the user.
1928
Grantline Comptometer
Key-driven computer/calculator that easily solves even calculus problems.
1928
Ultrophone
A means of communication that transmits and receives simultaneously.
1928
Psychophonic Nurse
A child-care robot - a nanny bot.
1928
Videophone
A person-to-person communication device offering sight as well as sound.
1928
Chest Disc
A voice activated wireless transmitter.
1928
Ultraphone Ear-Disc
Wireless receivers that fit directly over the ears; they also offered noise reduction.
1928
Viewplate
A flat panel viewing display.
1929
Hypnotelevisor
A device that displays memories directly on a helmet screen.
1929
Instant Photography
A photograph that develops immediately inside the camera.
1929
Televisor
A viewing screen.
1929
Robots Take Human Jobs
Robots displace human beings in the workforce.
1929
Helium Tubes
Lighting that exactly mimics the frequencies of sunlight.
1929
Indirect Cold Light
Apparently source-less lighting, highly efficient, with no waste heat.
1929
Pay Per View TV
The broadcast of games and matches to private televisions for a fee.
1930
Brigands of the Moon
Magnifies even the smallest sound.
1930
Visiplate
A flat screen for viewing remote images.
1930
Radio-Controlled Mechanical Man
A remote-controlled robot.
1929
Remote Telepresence Robot
A very early depiction of this basic idea.
1929
Teleview
A device for seeing at a distance.
1929
Personal Metallic Record Disc
A stamped metal record that contains all of a person's data in a convenient form.
1929
Chemical Brain
A purely chemical artificial intelligence.
1929
Television Sheet
A large, flat screen television set.
1929
Governing Keyboard
A remote-controlled robot responds to keyboard commands.
1929
Massive Open Learning
Teach using standard videos prepared by the best teachers.
1929
Overmind
A consciousness that supersedes the minds of many individuals.
1930
Low-scale Detectors
Magnifies even the smallest sound.
1930
Robot Waiter
Robotic restaurant servitor.
1930
Matched-Frequency Separable Units
Devices that can draw power wirelessly from a matched source.
1930
Sound-Killing Air Fluid
A means to eliminate all of the noise made by machines in a city, leaving the voices of human beings.
1930
Tight-Beam
A method of communication that uses a very narrowly-focused stream of energy.
1930
Ring-Table
A device that creates a 'group mind', a single mind, from the many gathered around it.
1930
Puff-Pipe
Pipe with lighting built in.
1931
Televisiophone
A device that combines picture with sound for personal communication.
1931
Control Disk
Not Provided
1931
Telucid
A holographic projector.
1931
Thought-receptor Vote-counting Machine
That's one way to do a plebiscite.
1931
Teleradio Control (Hand Flash)
A device that can call a vehicle to a driver; it drives itself in a near-autonomous fashion to the caller.
1931
Virtual Assembly
Use of holograms to accomplish an assembly of people.
1931
Tele-Audiovized Meeting
Teleconferencing done right.
1931
Selective Electric Eye
A facial recognition device.
1931
Mechanical Thought Transformers
Machinery to expedite the process of thought transfer.
1931
Matter Transmitter
Device which causes a physical object to disappear from one place and reappear in another.
1931
Deviatoscope
A device that registered how much your course diverged from what you intended.
1931
Thought Screen
A material screen that is worn by the user, upon which are projected the mental images of the user.
1931
Object-Finder Beam
A unique device that projected a beam that found what you wanted.
1931
Energy Curtain Key
A small handheld "key" to shut off a force field.
1931
Thought Coil (Machine Intelligence)
Specially designed hardware that imparts intelligence to machines.
1931
Argento-Platinoid Dispatch Box
Impenetrable message carriers.
1931
Time-Telespectroscope.
See other time-travelers.
1931
Communication Disk
A wearable device that told the time as updated from a central source.
1931
Ultra-Light Vision System
A viewing technology able to see through and even within most objects.
1931
Telephotography
Sending pictures over a distance, displaying them on a vast screen.
1931
Sapience
The ability of a species to think, to reason with discernment and wisdom.
1931
Perfect Voice Modulation
Artificially creating the perfect human singing voice.
1931
Sound Nullifier
A barrier to sound; the cancellation of sound waves.
1931
Telepadion Instructor
A device that places an entire sensory experience directly into the brain.
1931
Machine Masters
Humans did less and less, and machines did more and more, until machines became the masters.
1931
Optophone (Opto)
A video call system.
1931
Adoption of Television
Prediction of TV penetration in homes and the death of movie houses.
1931
Selenium Photo-Electric Televisor
A specialized photo-electric cell.
1931
Porter Televox-Robot
A robot that carries your bags through the passageways of space liners.
1932
Tele-Screen
A display screen for live events.
1932
Daisy Projector
Beam of energy penetrates the Heaviside layer to enable communication from planet to planet.
1932
Ether-Traffic
The communications spectrum of the solar system.
1932
Government Machine
The automata that constitute the entire government, all in one building.
1932
Mirror Grid Multiple-View Surveillance Panel
Very modern presentation combining multiple camera viewpoints, selectable using one monitor screen.
1932
Feelies (Feely)
Device adds the tactile element to entertainment.
1932
Time-Space Television
A device for seeing into the past.
1932
Sol-Ido
The universal language of interplanetary travelers.
1932
Isolation Barrage
Device prevents eavesdropping.
1932
News-Dispenser
Audio news ready when you are.
1932
Search Beams
Penetrating rays that disclose the contents of rooms, ships, etc.
1932
Super-Photon
Three photons in one.
1932
Hypnopædia (Sleep-Teaching)
The idea that a person can learn explicit subject matter while sleeping.
1933
Historical Listening Machine
Device can hear sounds from down through the ages.
1933
Vibra-Transmitter (Teleportation)
An early use of the notion of matter transmission.
1934
Ether-Wall
An invisibility field.
1934
Black Cube Teaching Machine
A device that offers recorded images, teaching the user.
1934
Platinum Alloy Disc
A silvery disc used for data record storage.
1934
Electric-Space-Strain Projector
Device enables the wireless transmission of power.
1934
3D Tank Display
A transparent cube showing a three-dimensional display.
1934
Self-Aware Robot
A robot that thinks and reasons for itself.
1934
Invisibility Magnets
They can cloak a space ship by bending light around it.
1934
Standish
A beam weapon of frightful intensity.
1934
Electron Gun
How to add a lot of electrons to a lot of positrons?
1934
Wrist Search Display
A wearable device that uses its own search beam to view scenes close by.
1934
Sound-Transposing Machine
A device that scans a printed page and reads it out loud.
1934
Vibrowriter
A device that translated speech and typed it out for you.
1934
Living Machines
Robots that are able to learn.
1934
Mentanical Communication
Thinking, learning robots have a special means of communication.
1934
Mentanicals
Robots capable of mentation - i.e., thought.
1934
Ultrawave
A means of faster-than-light (FTL) communication.
1934
Communicator
A small device that works to communicate over large distances.
1935
Horsten Psychomat
Re-creates a mental scene for the viewer.
1935
Machine (Thinking Machine)
A very early reference to a thinking machine in charge of a planet.
1935
Emotion Meter
A device for empirically determining human emotion.
1935
Subjunctivisor
Projects a possible future, based on your own impressions.
1935
Magic Spectacles
Very early take on virtual reality hardware.
1936
Android
A synthetic being having the form of a human being.
1936
Probability Time Wave Tube
A device that allows the user to see every possible event.
1936
Wireless Wrist Intercom
A portable wireless intercom, worn on the wrist.
1936
Desktop Flat Panel Intercom
A small desktop screen intercom system.
1936
Transparent Flat Panel Display
A fifty-inch flat panel display that is (or can be) transparent.
1936
Giant Flat Panel Display
Movie screen-sized flat panel display for live televised images.
1936
Protective Energy Halo
A device that cast a hemisphere of protective beams.
1936
Molecule Replacement Lamp
A means of attaining practical invisibility.
1936
Vision Tubes
Microminaturized vision for UAV's.
1936
Teaching Machine
A helmet placed on the head focuses illimitable knowledge into even the head of an earth man.
1936
Synthetic Intellect
A device for providing a robot with intelligence.
1936
Zed-Ray
A penetrating beam that would disclose the details inside of a closed object.
1936
Audiphone
Communication between space suits in the airless void of space.
1937
Sono-Induction Coils
A public address system consisting of buried coils.
1937
Vibration Screen
Subtle rays prevent electronic surveillance.
1937
Automatic Reversed Memory
A device that activates memories and plays them back in reverse order.
1937
Ultra-Communicator
A communication system that transfers voice commands from one person to selected others.
1937
Multiple Sample Voice
The use of multiple voice samples to create a single, smoothed voice.
1938
Etherphone Receiver
A special earpiece to hear coded updates.
1938
Artificially Produced Speech
Speech produced by mechanical means, rather than with vocal chords.
1938
Helen O'Loy
A robot is enhanced to offer feelings and affection.
1938
Cosmic Teletype
A device that utilizes the fourth dimensional continuum to achieve communication at great distances.
1938
Control Helmet
A device which causes an entire race of people to think and feel the same as the wearer.
1938
Gogglelike Televisors
A screen technology placed very close to the eyes.
1938
Selective Television
A special kind of 'television' that let the user choose any scene around the world.
1938
Field-Projector
A device that dematerializes a person and then sends forth a ray that will then rematerialize a person at the end.
1938
Psychode
A device that enables communication by thought alone.
1938
Visi-Screen
A display device.
1938
Psychoprobe
Get to the truth.
1938
Automatic Commercial Deletion
Device automatically detects commercials and turns off the set for the duration.
1938
Sub-Etheric
Below the level at which ordinary light is propagated.
1938
Artificial Eye Drone
A remote flying device that transmits its view to the operator.
1939
Manmade Black Hole
Using the power of a hole in the continuum.
1939
Geofractor
Device provides instantaneous teleportation of selected objects over vast distances.
1939
Visiwave
Even faster than ultrawave! a means of instantaneous communication over lightyear distances.
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.
1939
Neuronic Control Apparatus
A device that communicated with a brain implant, granting both sight and control.
1939
Mechanical Judge
A device that makes legal decisions.
1939
Chronovitameter
Device that can determine a person's date of birth - and the date on which he or she will die.
1939
Polyceltron Iconoscope Televisor
A portable camera and microphone setup that could broadcast on-the-spot news.
1939
Identification Ring
An apparently ordinary ring, which minutely describes and identifies its wearer.
1939
Stereoscopic Vernier and Cube
A means of photographing in depth.
1939
Radio-Facsimile Receiver
A device that prints a newspaper in your home.
1939
Movie Pill
Gives you the experience of having seen a movie.
1939
Electric Brain Stimulator
A device that coordinated the waves of the brain with an external device to improve performance.
1939
Visual Pattern Recognition
A robot's ability to respond to programmed visual stimulus
1939
Ultra-Vibrator
Transports objects into another dimension through intense vibration.
1939
Telescribe
Creates a written record of distress signals and other reports.
1939
Automatic Delivery Library
A library able to deliver any volume within a few moments.
1939
Ultraset (Ultrawave Set)
A device that used ultrawave faster-than-light (FTL) communication.
1940
San-Ray Projector
Device produces a habit-forming, nerve-tingling ray that clouds the mind.
1940
Mind-Shield
A mental defense or barrier that prevents access to one brain by another person or device.
1940
Lighting Panel
A large panel that presents illumination without heat.
1940
Synthetic Personality
A artificial identity, a legal fiction of a person.
1940
Soft Speaker
A device that sends a tightly-controlled beam of sound.
1940
Slow Glass Rod
A transparent glass rod that makes light travel so slowly that it can trap light within its depths.
1940
Pocket-Caller
Private communication device that fits in your pocket.
1940
Dream-House
An establishment wherein one could find the finest dream adventures placed in his own mind.
1940
Dream-Adventures
Dreams sent directly to the brain are more popular than movies.
1940
Planetary ID Card
Identification for every person on every planet in the solar system.
1940
Bifocal TV Screen Lenses
Using the bottom lens of bifocals as a TV screen.
1940
Hush-a-Phone
A special kind of telephone that reduced noise while talking.
1940
Dream-Machine
The mechanism that sent standardized dreams into the brain.
1940
Voder
Device that produces speech by purely mechanical means.
1940
Telechronometer
A watch that synchronizes itself to a remote source.
1940
Synthetic Voice
Artificial human speech.
1940
Iridium-Sponge Brain
A human-like metal brain for robots.
1940
Trumpaphone
A loud, brassy instrument.
1940
Solid Power
A concentrated form of easily accessed energy to supply any need.
1941
Talking Speedometer
A gauge that tells you its value verbally
1941
Chatterbox' News-Receptor
An appliance for listening to the news that lacked content controls.
1941
Hypnotic injunction
A method of hypnosis that prevents people from revealing particular information.
1941
Newsbox (News-Receptor)
Also referred to as a microviewer; could search media programming for news on a particular words used in the broadcast.
1941
Neoterics
Pure engineering genius on tap.
1941
Psychophone
A device that allows the user to tune their mind to a future reality - a time-traveling device.
1941
Bone Conduction Receiver
A concealed radio receiver.
1941
Positronic Brain
A computer CPU with the capacity to rival a human brain.
1941
Visible Halo
Providing a religious figure with a technological sign of grace.
1941
Robot Music
Music created and performed entirely by robots.
1941
Anti-Robot Propaganda
Human activity against robots.
1941
Wall Screen
A large size display for video, anchored to a wall, or actually forming the wall itself.
1941
Group Ego
A group mind; a single entity that shares a number of bodies.
1941
Hypnosis Ray
Eases the words of dictators into the minds of the credulous.
1941
Psycho-History
The application of psychology to historical data.
1941
Identification Beacon
Radio pulse to identify orbiting craft.
1941
Sleep Destroying Field
Causes lack of sleep.
1941
Vanwinkling
Another name for time-traveling into the future.
1941
Improve Memory
Help immortals make sense of their memories.
1942
Auto-Clerk
An automated accounting system.
1942
Waldo
A telefactoring device; also known as the Waldo F. Jones Synchronous Reduplicating Pantograph.
1942
Three Laws of Robotics (Rules of Robotics)
The original formulation of Asimov's laws of robotics.
1942
Fairy Digits (Tiny Waldoes)
Waldoes used for very fine work.
1942
Thought-Screen
A device that prevents other people from taking over control of your thoughts and mind.
1942
Telaudiogram
An interplanetary communication method.
1942
Groundhog
Not a space professional.
1942
Interplanetary Communications Center
The backbone for a solar system-wide communications system.
1942
News Roundup
A device that presents brief story outlines, any of which can be chosen to find details.
1942
The Twonky
A robotic device from the future, constructed to look like a 1940's radio cabinet.
1943
Verhaeren Factor
Provides autonomous robots with the capacity for independent creative action.
1943
Usuform Robot Bartender
A robotic bartender that is designed along purely functional lines.
1943
Viewscreen Pentagon
A display with a central, pentagonal display surrounded by square displays attached to the sides.
1943
Solidograph
Long distance projection of three-dimensional images.
1943
Personality Alteration
Permanent alternation of personality, the tools of the trade.
1943
Visigraphic Crowd Emotional Record
A graphic record of the emotions of a crowd.
1943
Polyfrequency Neutralizer
Dissolves projected solidographs (holograms).
1943
Royalties For Machine Learning Subjects
A payment to people who are used as subjects for imitation learning by robots.
1943
Telesolidograph
Projects three-dimensional images at great distances.
1943
Micro Book (Microbook)
A very small volume, possibly an electronic book.
1943
Coldlight
A means of producing illumination that does not produce heat.
1943
Filmag
A video magazine.
1944
Suit-Radio
A means of communication between two individuals clad in space suits.
1944
Robot Voice
A voice box for a robot that is an analog of the human voice system.
1945
Vision Plate
A flat panel monitor.
1945
Games Machine
A vast computer system.
1945
Electronic Locator
A device that determines the location of a person.
1946
Spotcast
A new form of one-to-many communication.
1946
Logics Service
A networked service that retains all of your personal information, schedules and phone messages online.
1946
Logics
Machines that let you request information, and then display it for you on a screen.
1946
Carson Circuit
A means of distinguishing betweem millions of different information sources - the secret of the Internet.
1947
Psychoscanner
A device capable of taking impressions, feelings and memories from living brains; it can be used on animals as well.
1947
Prime Directive
The first and most important rule; usually protective.
1947
Machine Servant
A wheeled plastic box with universal-joint arms.
1948
Rewriting History
Use of sophisticated technology to continuously rewrite the historical record.
1948
Telescreen
Very early use of the idea of using technology to monitor human activity at a distance.
1948
Portable Telephone
The essence of a cell phone.
1948
Versificator
A device that composes words to music.
1948
Speakwrite
A dictation machine that also transcribes the speech into typed words.
1948
Solidograph-Projector
A device that projected a 3D image of objects or a person.
1948
Crimestop
The faculty of stopping short, as though by instict, at the threshold of any dangerous thought.
1948
Doublethink
A mental discipline that is an exact contradiction to the basic principles of scientific inquiry.
1948
Brain Erasure
Deleting selected knowledge from the brain using electrical impulses.
1948
Novel-Writing Machines
A device that automatically produces fiction.
1948
Learning-Cap
A special metal helmet for electro-education.
1948
Electro-Education
The latest thing in electrically stimulated learning.
1949
Mind-Lock
A device that confines a mind within its own shielded area.
1949
Telepath Transmitter
A device for long distance communication that makes use of telepathy.
1949
Visiglobe
A display that provided a spherical, 3D visualization of a scene.
1949
Quizzer
An autonomous mind-probe.
1949
Fluor Strips
Lighting long narrow devices.
1950
Stratovideo (Television Plane)
An aircraft with studios that continuously broadcast line-of-sight television.
1950
The Machines
A few of these can run a planetary economy.
1950
Tri-D
A remarkable pesticide.
1950
Haberman
Modified humans controlled by cybernetic implants.
1950
Nexialist
A person with a coordinative knowledge across a variety of sciences.
1950
Hive-Mind
A group mind.
1950
Robot Mice
Tiny cleaning robots.
1950
Voice-Clock
A clock that could state the time out loud.
1951
Audio Relay
A communication device implanted behind the ear; also used as an alarm for wake-up calls.
1951
Variable Modifier
Provides the capability of altering standard jokes to fit new circumstances.
1951
Meson Filter
Provides robots with the ability to tell the difference between jokes that provide a chuckle and jokes that provide a belly laugh.
1951
Robot Comedian
Joke-telling feature added to a standard butler robot.
1951
Vocalex Kitchen
Voice command automatic kitchen.
1951
Machine Test Scoring
A device that scans a specially prepared grade sheet and determines a student's score.
1951
Telebook
A book made available in text on a television screen.
1951
Mechanical Teacher
A computer device able to teach children.
1951
Dominator
Device implants a psychological block.
1951
Teledar
Three-dimensional television.
1951
Directional Ticket
A ticket that also has the property of glowing while you are going toward what you bought.
1951
Calculator Pad
Used to make psychohistoric calculations
1951
Personal Capsule
An impenetrable device containing information for your eyes only.
1951
Butler-Valet Robot
A gentleman's servant, roboticized.
1951
Helmet-Mounted Display Screen
A small electronic display mounted for easy viewing.
1951
Psychohistory
Branch of mathematics describes the behavior of human beings en masses.
1951
Microwire
A very thin wire used for recording purposes.
1951
Zag House
A means of implanting dreams.
1951
Robotic Chess Expert
A robot that plays chess at a level that no human can match.
1951
Mentophone
A device that facilitates long-distance telepathy.
1951
Anti-Spying Device
Foolproof means of defending against spy beams.
1951
Selector Card
Pneumatic delivery of book films by using a mechanical form of data storage; selector cards - probably punch cards.
1951
Ultrawave Relay or Hyperwave Relay
Instantaneous, faster-than-light communication system.
1951
The Veldt
A nursery that comes alive for the viewer.
1952
Ullran Enunciator
Special prosthesis needed to aid humans in speaking an alien language.
1952
Psychic Probe
A device capable of discerning truthful information in a living human brain.
1952
Recorded Books
Electronically recorded books.
1952
Pocket Projector
A personal device for replaying media.
1952
Hypnoteleset
A device that guarantees quick, surrogate sleep.
1952
Retinal Projection
A method for projecting advertisements directly on the retina.
1952
Compulsive Subsonics
An advertising agency works with every part of the audience's brain.
1952
Visi-Sonor
An entertainment device which appeared to create both sound and light by acting directly on brain cells. It also stimulated emotions directly.
1952
Menslator
A translator that works by examining the mental image of what you are trying to say.
1952
Mnemiphot
A device used to search for information, which is then presented on a convenient screen.
1952
Automated Wake-Up Call
A device that provides automated wake-up calls.
1952
Self-Maintaining Circuit Monitoring and Repair
A computer that monitors itself for repair.
1952
Vision Strip
A circular vision strip for robots.
1952
Robot Manumission
The freeing of a robotic being from a state of being owned property.
1952
Silencer-Padding
Robots need to have special padding on the bottoms of their lower limbs, so they don't clank as they walk.
1952
Robotic Law Tape Safety Valve
A specific impulse that warns robots contemplating breaking the laws set forth for their behavior.
1952
Law of Contact
Non-interference in the development of other worlds.
1952
Singularity
In science, a condition in which spacetime breaks down; in society, a technological advance causes social conditions to break down.
1952
Photo Crystal (Cube)
A small handheld display for a picture
1953
Visicastor
A person who presents video broadcasts.
1953
Robot Pianist
A robot learns the fine art of playing classical music on the piano.
1953
Robot Psyche Tester
An automated psychiatric evaluation device.
1953
Robot Door
Automated door has some decision-making capabilities, in addition to speech recognition capabilities.
1953
Panoramic Viewer
Permits observation at a distance, as well as the projection of a holographic image.
1953
Positronic Motor
A combination of motor and brain; an engine with a cerebellum and a carburetor.
1953
Robant
A robotic servant.
1953
Machine Evolution
An early look at the idea that machines can evolve all by themselves, physically and intellectually.
1953
Legislation Analyzer
Device analyzes potentially biased bills.
1953
Worldcraft Bubble
An incredibly detailed mechanical simulation of a world.
1953
Speedtalk
A constructed language that uses a single sound to stand for a word, achieving great improvements in communication speed.
1953
Sound Analysis
Improving language teaching by showing the waveform of a spoken word or phrase, and comparing it to standard speech.
1953
Pocket Phone (or pocketphone)
A telephone that is not hard wired to the network; a mobile or cell phone.
1953
Spot-Wavex Scrambler
Provides a more personalized experience of television, by letting the announcers talk to you personally.
1953
Permanent Skywriting
Non-wispy skywriting letters.
1953
Seashell Radio (Thimble Radios)
Small radios that fit into the ears like hearing aids or ear buds.
1953
Green Bullet
A very compact (for 1950) radio transceiver, worn in the ear like a hearing aid.
1953
Ovoid 3D Galactic Model
A handheld display of a galaxy.
1953
Mental Static Device
Cloak the minds of individuals with a kind of 'noise'.
1953
Message Tree
A tree growing out of a huge cliff of crystal provides communication for a world.
1953
Transcriber
A automated transcriptionist - a machine which perfectly translates human speech into words on paper.
1953
Prime Radiant
A projector that puts all of a vast collection of writings on the wall of a special conference room. You could interact with it by writing on the wall; changes were stored.
1953
Master Ventriloquism Corporation (MV)
A central source of product advertising, commercials sent out to every product.
1953
Control Screen
An alien display device.
1953
Buy-Me-Discs
Tiny disks attached to products in stores that received transmitted ads to share with consumers.
1953
Paint-to-Order Robot Artist
A robotic mechanism that could produce a unique picture, given subject and artistic style.
1953
Synthony
A musical performance by robots.
1953
Lens Image
A presentation of the night sky, calculated for any planet or point in space.
1953
Homeostatic Newspaper
An autonomous news-gathering and publishing entity; abbreviated as homeopape.
1953
Robotic Conductor
A robot charged with conductor's duties aboard a bus or other public transportation.
1953
Brains
An electronic brain that is able to do problem solving. This idea seems to be the impetus behind current artificial intelligence that seeks to solve problems, rather than to simulate human intelligenc
1954
Solar-Powered Ball
An autonomous round toy that powers itself.
1954
Retinal Vid-Screen
A tiny display surgically implanted directly in the retina of the eye.
1954
Control Helmet
Direct control of a robot from the brain.
1954
Voicewriter Screen (Computer Monitor)
A screen that displays characters.
1954
Temporal Paradox
The paradoxical idea that making changes in the past results in changes in the present.
1954
Visual Ad
An advertisement that forces its way directly into the brain of the viewer.
1954
Sales Robot (Robot Salesman)
Fully automated robots giving untiring, incessant sales pitches to customers.
1954
Cephaloscope
A device used to detect lying.
1954
Web (Data Network)
An information network.
1954
Trace Web
A small, handheld device that contacts (and even instantiates) the larger network.
1954
Mechanical Tune-Maker
An electromechanical device that created unique music.
1954
Robot Cab Driver
You think you have problems? Robots have the worst problems of anyone.
1954
Sceneshifter
An automated display device that produced random pictorial presentations.
1954
Synapsis-Coils
Human-like storage for computers.
1954
Universal Dictionary
A machine that provided references to anything known.
1954
Reading Plate
A flat screen that provided computer output for viewing.
1954
Truth Meter
A lie detector.
1954
Compassion Circuit
A special robotic component that allows the robot to weigh harm and benefit in carrying out commands.
1954
Radiant Shield
A device that would effectively prevent an implanted radiant from being detected or read.
1954
Tri-Type Record
A printed card that stores information about a person, including a perfect three-dimensional representation.
1954
Relay
A central information system used to coordinate all of human culture and technology.
1954
The Dip
A device that randomly dredges up things from the past... or the future.
1954
Roboscribe
A robotic writer of hard-bitten detective yarns.
1954
Thought Pattern Divination
Attempting to construct the thoughts of a person by imitating their actions.
1954
Self-Selling Robot
A robot that sells itself.
1954
Law Clerk Robot
A robotic lawyer.
1954
TBR (Talk Between Robots) Circuit
A special means of communications used by robots to speak with each other.
1954
Mnemonic Service
Dedicated humans who collected bits of data in hopes of catching key correlations between fields of study.
1955
Simulacrum Window
A 'window' that provides a realistic outdoor view in an interior room.
1955
Ramsbotham Gate
A means of getting from point A to point B without traversing the space in-between.
1955
Diabological Armory
A set of verbal tools based on a higher form of reasoning.
1955
Mechanical Newsmachine
An automated device that delivers on-the-spot news.
1955
Swibble
An artificially evolved telepathic metazoan-based mind control device.
1955
Electronic Analogue of Living Brain
Imposing the abilities of a human brain into a computer
1955
Pizzled (Semantic Garble)
Use of nonsensical statements to deliberately confuse an artificial intelligence.
1955
Hand Wave Control
Control an electronic or other device with gestures.
1955
Visual Report Screen
A device that allows a robot nanny to let the owners view what the robot sees from a remote location.
1955
Human Habit Pattern Machines
Imposing human habits onto machines.
1955
Unit Analyst Robot
A robotic psychoanalyst.
1955
Multivac
A computer with millions of facts.
1955
Probe Screen Hood
A device that blocks attempts to see into the contents of the brain mind.
1955
Slide Rule w/Radio Attachment
Slide rule communicates results immediately with computer.
1955
Neck-Phone
An implanted telecommunications device.
1955
Trion Library
An early visualization of the Internet.
1955
Pocket Receiver
An early visualization of the smartphone.
1956
Mechanical Jokester
A vast computer system learns about humor.
1956
Solido
Abbr. for solidograph; a device that produced a solid three dimensional image.
1956
Retinal Light
An internal flashlight.
1956
Robot Bartender
An automated, mechanical bar tending robot.
1956
Virtual Immortality
A method for storing the mind and memories of a person, and recalling and reconstituting them at will.
1956
Central Computer
A computer capable of running an entire city.
1956
Matter Organizer
A device that could cause a computer-generated image to be constructed as a real object.
1956
Saga
You become a part of the great adventures of history.
1956
Diaspar Memory
The city's memory could store works of art, and reproduce them upon request.
1956
Empath
A being capable of telepathic empathy with others.
1956
Jaunte Stage
A cleared space that existed to serve the needs of people who would jaunte (teleport) into that space.
1956
Eager Beaver
Your friendly robot helper.
1956
Radioactive Coding for Checks
Special coding system to easily recognize checks.
1956
Drafting Dan
The first computer software drafting program (Computer Aided Design - CAD).
1956
Universal Checkbook
Fully electronic banking system, which allows easy withdrawal of funds from any bank.
1956
Thorsen Memory Tube
Computer component that allows a machine to learn through experience.
1956
Whisper Line
A means of communication between prisoners held in wide separation.
1956
Human Object Recognition
System uses human beings as an aid to robotic object recognition.
1956
Hush Corner
A space made private by canceling sound waves in that area.
1956
Sympathetic Block
A way to keep certain mental contents from being spoken or revealed.
1956
Maximum-security Booth
A special phone booth for receiving high-security, scrambled telephone calls, calls which included 3D visuals.
1956
Flexible Frank
An all-purpose household robot.
1956
Hand Computer
A small pocket-sized computing device.
1957
Planetary Computer Network
A global data net.
1957
Dirac Transmitter (also Tranceiver or Communicator)
A device that provides instantaneous communication anywhere in the galaxy.
1957
Fenton Silencer
A device to cancel noise over a broad area.
1957
Brood Assembly
Artificially intelligent computers that can replicate themselves.
1957
Machine Surveillance
The use of artificially intelligent computer systems to learn by monitoring all human interaction within a city.
1957
Jurymech
A robotic entity serving the function of a trial jury.
1957
Machine Psychologist
A computer that understands and uses its knowledge of human psychology to benefit human users.
1957
Peeper
A device that unlocked the dreams and fantasies inherent in the user's brain.
1957
Accelerated Schooling Helmet
A device that stimulates the brain and imparts knowledge directly.
1957
Accelerated Schooling
Knowledge force-fed directly into the brain.
1957
Toposcope
A special helmet used in a form of sleep teaching.
1957
Neural Door Lock
A device that provides access based on neurological data.
1957
Glass Bees
Walnut-sized flying automata.
1957
Robot Situation Neurosis
Robots go mad when given competing instructions.
1958
Pocket Computer
A pocket-sized computer.
1958
Cone of Silence
Distortion field that limits the carrying power of voice or other vibration; it accomplishes noise reduction with an image-vibration 180 degrees out of phase.
1958
Espionage Machine
A machine that makes it possible to experience the sensations of another person at a distance.
1958
Tik-Talker
A method of scrambling spoken speech for encoded transmission.
// TECHNOLOGY–
SECRETS–
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“The best way to keep a secret is to shout it from the rooftops” – Edwin Land
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