A minor peeve of mine is that whenever I sink hours upon hours into a serious attempt at a future history, inevitably somebody pipes in with a question that can be summed up in one:
"Where are all the flying cars?"
Now, I fielded one such inquiry in detail last night.
In anticipation of every variation of the question, I went out and found a lovely website called technovelgy.com, which despite being a bit thin on sci-fi inventions does boast over 1,000 of them.
So I volunteered myself to provide the index in full here, and direct you guys to spend all your time reviewing the articles in full over at that fine site.
Main purpose: To show that there's a LOT of inventions out there; it's a rare author who comes up with something completely new.
Alas, no flying cars. Not a darn one on the whole list. Go figure.
(Glad I got that one out of the way already!)
Entry Source Author Date
Weightlessness (Godwin) - first discovery of concept The Man in the Moone Godwin 1638
Bio-Energy - produce electricity from organic material Gulliver's Travels Swift 1726
Geometric Modeling - eighteenth century NURBS Gulliver's Travels Swift 1726
Knowledge Engine - machine-made expertise Gulliver's Travels Swift 1726
Columbiad - 900 foot cannon From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Communicate with Extraterrestrials - first use of concept From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Free Return Trajectory - first mention From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Launching Facility - in Florida From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Light Pressure Propulsion - first use of this idea From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Projectile-Vehicle - Verne's spacecraft From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Retro-Rockets - Verne invented them! From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Spashdown - the original idea From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Weightlessness - true science fiction discovery From the Earth to the Moon Verne 1867
Diving Apparatus - scuba diving in the 19th century 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Verne 1875
Electrify the Hull - repel boarders! 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Verne 1875
Leyden Ball - grandfather of the taser 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Verne 1875
Nautilus - Captain Nemo's ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Verne 1875
Apergy (Apergion) - antigravity substance Across the Zodiac Greg 1880
Credit Card - why carry cash? Looking Backward Bellamy 1888
Mall (Great City Bazaar) - Wal-Mart foreseen Looking Backward Bellamy 1888
Atmospheric Advertising - write it on the clouds In the Year 2889 Verne 1889
Live News - prediction of newscasts In the Year 2889 Verne 1889
Phonotelephote - earliest reference to videophone In the Year 2889 Verne 1889
Recorded News - Tivo for radio in 1889 In the Year 2889 Verne 1889
Air-Ship (VTOL Airship) The Angel of the Revolution Griffith 1893
Air-to-Surface Missile - first use of concept The Angel of the Revolution Griffith 1893
War-Balloon (Navigable Aerostat) The Angel of the Revolution Griffith 1893
Aeriduct (Rain Maker) - watch for showers A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Electric Phaetons (Electric Cars) A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Electric Protection-Wires (Electrified Fence) A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Global Climate Control A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Instantaneous Kodaks (Traffic Control) A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Magnetic Eyes A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Magnetic Railroads A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Marine Spider (Hydrofoil) A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Rooftop Windmill - renewable energy vision A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Vehicle Energy Reclamation A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Wind Power Generation A Journey In Other Worlds Astor IV 1894
Time Machine - the original The Time Machine Wells 1895
Monsters Manufactured - chimeras described The Island of Dr. Moreau Wells 1896
Invisibility - now you see it - The Invisible Man Wells 1897
Biological Warfare - first use of the concept in fiction War of the Worlds Wells 1898
Heat Ray - concept of the laser War of the Worlds Wells 1898
Tripod - inhuman robotic ships from Mars! War of the Worlds Wells 1898
Automated Surface Measurement - 100 years before cgi needed it When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Automatic Door - like a roll top desk When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Babble Machine - you know When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
DVD/VCR (Entertainment Player) When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Eadhamite When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Individualized Clothing Manufacture - clothes just for you When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Kinetiscope Appliance - like a PDA When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Moving Picture Player - like a video iPod When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Moving Roadway - like a baggage conveyor When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Networked World When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Town In One Building - like an arcology When the Sleeper Wakes Wells 1899
Aerocar - first use of idea? The Abduction of Alexandra Seine Smale 1900
Cavorite - antigravity metal The First Men in the Moon Wells 1901
Joystick Controls w/Remote Display The Land Ironclads Wells 1903
Cinematophote - first reference to television The Machine Stops Forster 1909
Telemedicine Apparatus - first known reference The Machine Stops Forster 1909
Automaton Chessplayer - the first chess-playing computer Moxon's Master Bierce 1910
Actinoscope Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Detectophone - machine translation of language Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Electric Rifle - Tom Swift's weapon of choice Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle Appleton 1911
Hypnobioscope Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Language Rectifier - first reference to machine translation Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Personalized News Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Steelonium - very early reference Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Sub-Atlantic Tube - undersea tunnel Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Telautograph Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Tele-Motor-Coasters Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Telephot - early videophone Ralph 124c 41 + Gernsback 1911
Sunray Tank Warlord of Mars Burroughs 1914
Magnetic Elevator - no watches allowed The Gods of Mars Burroughs 1918
Robot - the origin of the term R.U.R. Capek 1920
Networked Telephone Answering Machine Men Like Gods Wells 1923
Wireless Access Point Men Like Gods Wells 1923
Attractive Ray - first use of idea? Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
De-atomizing Ray - a disintegration beam Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
Grantline Comptometer - long before Mathematica Beyond the Stars Cummings 1928
Needle Pipe - needle gun Beyond the Stars Cummings 1928
Private Space Cruiser Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
Raytron Apparatus - aerial surveillance Beyond the Stars Cummings 1928
Steering a Star - driving a sun Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
Telestereo - earliest reference to holograms? Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
Vibration-Propelled Cruiser - waves in spacetime Crashing Suns Hamilton 1928
Harbenite Tarzan at the Eath's Core Burroughs 1929
O-220 Tarzan at the Eath's Core Burroughs 1929
Shield Skylark Three Smith 1930
City of Space - rotating habitat The Prince of Space Williamson 1931
Eavesdropping Ray - hears through walls Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Force-Field Space Hounds of IPC Smith 1931
Gravity Assist - very early use Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Invisible Cloak -long before Harry Potter Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Lunar Mining - moon mining camp Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Moon Dome - first reference Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Moon Walk - presages Apollo Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Paralyzing Ray - early use Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Pencil Heat Ray - narrow beam Brigands of the Moon Cummings 1931
Pentavalent Nitrogen - most powerful chemical explosive. Space Hounds of IPC Smith 1931
Tractor Beam - pulling force at a distance Space Hounds of IPC Smith 1931
Artificial Womb - very early use of concept Brave New World Huxley 1932
Bokanovsky's Process Brave New World Huxley 1932
Centrifugal Bumble-Puppy Brave New World Huxley 1932
Hypnopædia (Sleep-Teaching) - learn while asleep Brave New World Huxley 1932
Super-Photon Invaders From The Infinite Campbell 1932
Machine City Twilight Campbell 1933
Synthetic Food Dispenser Twilight Campbell 1933
Ablative Reentry Shield - very early reference Triplanetary Smith 1934
Acceleration-tank - very early reference Triplanetary Smith 1934
Emergency Lifeboat - very early space rescue vehicle Triplanetary Smith 1934
Ether-Wall - an invisibility field. Triplanetary Smith 1934
Flying Wing - Northrup's all-metal dream Triplanetary Smith 1934
Martian Liquid Mirror Telescope - alien LMT Old Faithful Gallun 1934
Mother Ship - first use of expression Triplanetary Smith 1934
Moving a Planet - early use of idea Triplanetary Smith 1934
Platinum Alloy Disc - first CD or DVD? Triplanetary Smith 1934
Protective Shield - personal force field Triplanetary Smith 1934
Spy Ray - see through walls Triplanetary Smith 1934
Standish - a mean beam of energy Triplanetary Smith 1934
Thermlectrium Blindness Campbell 1935
Cartograph - a GPS-like trip readout The Cometeers Williamson 1936
Geodynes - pushing against the fabric of space The Cometeers Williamson 1936
Photoelectric Telescope (Photoelectric Eyes) - astronomical pictures produced automatically The Cometeers Williamson 1936
Planetary Engineering The Cometeers Williamson 1936
Probability Time Wave Tube Elimination Campbell 1936
Radiation Shield The Ultimate Weapon Campbell 1936
Artificial eye - first use of this idea? Galactic Patrol Smith 1937
Designed Bacteria - purposive genetic modification Seeds of Dusk Gallun 1937
Drop Shaft (Neutralization of Inertia) - watch that first step Galactic Patrol Smith 1937
Proton Pistol (Proton Beam) - beams of fury A Menace in Miniature Gallun 1937
Tight-Beam Ultra-Communicator Galactic Patrol Smith 1937
Ultra-microrobot - small as an insect A Menace in Miniature Gallun 1937
Moon Skis - ah the lunar powder Requiem Heinlein 1939
Shock Hammock Habit del Rey 1939
Ultraset (Ultrawave Set) - fast comm Habit del Rey 1939
Ultrawave - FTL communication Habit del Rey 1939
Air Blast - the first air dryer Coventry Heinlein 1940
Barrier (Force Field) - force field fence Coventry Heinlein 1940
Blaster - a deadly energy weapon. Coventry Heinlein 1940
Hush-a-Phone - noise suppression for telephones The Roads Must Roll Heinlein 1940
Knockdown Cabin - portable shelter Coventry Heinlein 1940
Refreshing Chamber Coventry Heinlein 1940
Rolling Road - public transport The Roads Must Roll Heinlein 1940
Solar Reception Screen - photovoltaics in action The Roads Must Roll Heinlein 1940
Steel Tortoise - the original ATV Coventry Heinlein 1940
Sunpower Screen - photovoltaic cells power vehicle Coventry Heinlein 1940
Telechronometer Blowups Happen Heinlein 1940
Tumblebug - a gyro-stabilized monocycle The Roads Must Roll Heinlein 1940
Vibroblade - not messy If This Goes On... Heinlein 1940
Astrogation (to Astrogate) - steer to the stars Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Camden Speedster - compare this to an SUV Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Cold-Rest - reduced temperature somnolence Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Cold-Sleep - hibernation for humans Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Customized Clothing - mast customization Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Disinto - a disintegrating ray Robot AL-76 Goes Astray Asimov 1941
Energy Weapon Seesaw van Vogt 1941
Fresher - refreshing chamber Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Golden Shuttles (Mechanical Mice) - tiny robots Mechanical Mice Hugi 1941
Hypnotic injunction Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Joy-boat Junior - a private space yacht Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Neoterics - genius on tap Microcosmic God Sturgeon 1941
Newsbox - better than Google news plus Tivo Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Psychophone Mechanical Mice Hugi 1941
Robopark Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Robot Mother - self-reproducing automaton Mechanical Mice Hugi 1941
Self-Lighting Cigarette Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Space Freighter - for hauling big loads Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Terraforming - remake a planet Collision Orbit Williamson 1941
Traffic Control Camera Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Weather Integrator Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Group Ego - a kind of group mind Methuselah's Children Heinlein 1941
Gravanol - good at high accelerations QRM - Interplanetary Smith 1942
Martian Sawgrass - air plant QRM - Interplanetary Smith 1942
Pressor (Pressor Beam) Gray Lensman Smith 1942
Radiant Power Receptor - broadcast power receiver Waldo Heinlein 1942
Thought-Screen - stop alien mind control Gray Lensman Smith 1942
Venus Equilateral Relay Station QRM - Interplanetary Smith 1942
Waldo - the origin of telefactoring Waldo Heinlein 1942
Micro Book (Microbook) - perfect for space travel One Way Trip Boucher 1943
Geosynchronous Satellite - invention of idea V2 for Ionospheric Research Clarke 1945
Visiplate - first flat panel viewer First Contact Leinster 1945
Doublethink 1984 Orwell 1948
High-Frequency Oven - essence of the microwave Space Cadet Heinlein 1948
Microwavable Food - pre-packaged ready to heat-n-eat Space Cadet Heinlein 1948
Moonbase (or Moon Base) - first reference 240,000 Miles Straight Up Hubbard 1948
Moonquake-Proof Habitats - thanks to Robert Heinlein Gentlemen, Be Seated Heinlein 1948
Portable Telephone - early reference Space Cadet Heinlein 1948
Slidewalk - conveyor for people Space Cadet Heinlein 1948
Space Ark Decision Illogical Wilkinson 1948
Speakwrite - transcription of tyranny 1984 Orwell 1948
Tag-Along Balloon - find the space station leak Gentlemen, Be Seated Heinlein 1948
Telescreen - Big Brother is watching 1984 Orwell 1948
Desert Cabbage Red Planet Heinlein 1949
Positronic Brain I, Robot Asimov 1950
Robot Mice - tiny cleaning machines The Martian Chronicles Bradbury 1950
Voice-Clock The Martian Chronicles Bradbury 1950
Audio Relay - personal RFID transceiver The Puppet Masters Heinlein 1951
Calculator Pad - grandfather of the pocket calculator Foundation Asimov 1951
Cold-Sleep - hibernation between the stars Between Planets Heinlein 1951
Directional Ticket - the ticket guides you Foundation Asimov 1951
Finger Watch - the original The Puppet Masters Heinlein 1951
Flying Saucer - alien spacecraft The Puppet Masters Heinlein 1951
Force-Field Penknife - origin of the Lightsaber? Foundation Asimov 1951
Gravitic Repulsion Elevator - going up Foundation Asimov 1951
Groundcar - the old-fashioned present Foundation Asimov 1951
Half-Sphere Force Field - not an ordinary spherical force field Between Planets Heinlein 1951
Happylife Home - visit to The Veldt The Illustrated Man Bradbury 1951
Helmet-Mounted Display Screen - display where you need it Rock Diver Harrison 1951
Microwire Between Planets Heinlein 1951
Neuronic Whip - it delivers pain The Stars, Like Dust Asimov 1951
Neutron Disruption Blaster The Complete Paratime Piper 1951
Odorophonics - scent player The Illustrated Man Bradbury 1951
Personal Force-Shield - earliest mention? Foundation Asimov 1951
Pocket Nucleo-Bulb - better than those LED flashlights Foundation Asimov 1951
Selector Card The Puppet Masters Heinlein 1951
The Jump - is travel through hyperspace possible? Foundation Asimov 1951
The Veldt - serengeti in the nursery The Illustrated Man Bradbury 1951
Ultrawave Relay (or Hyperwave Relay) - first use of FTL communication Foundation Asimov 1951
Vibratory Mass Penetrator - not what you're thinking Rock Diver Harrison 1951
Airplane Window Ads - ads on clouds The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Automatic Pilot - a brief history The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Chicken Little - vat-grown protein The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Coffiest - coffee plus The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Compulsive Subsonics - ads dodge your cortex The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Flat Cat The Rolling Stones Heinlein 1952
Hilsch Vortex Tube - Maxwell's demon lives! The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Lunocycle (Lunar Bicycle) - better than Bessie the mule The Rolling Stones Heinlein 1952
Monoline Big Planet Vance 1952
Nanny Robot - child-care robot with punch The Book of Philip K. Dick Dick 1952
Panatrope - mutation for survival Surface Tension Blish 1952
Prism Window - better plane window The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Retinal Projection - put the ad right on the eyeball The Space Merchants Pohl (w/CM Kornbluth) 1952
Robot Cab Driver - everybody's got problems The Book of Philip K. Dick Dick 1952
Air-Propelled Train - silent mass transit Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Automatic Ticket Machine - your ticket to the stars Second Foundation Asimov 1953
Big Flue Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Books Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Claws (Guard Robot) Second Variety Dick 1953
Control Screen Childhood's End Clarke 1953
Electric-Eyed Snake Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Green Bullet - carry your mentor with you Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Lens Image Second Foundation Asimov 1953
Mechanical Hound - a fireman's best friend Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Parlor Wall (TV Parlor) - original big screen TV Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Pocket Phone (or pocketphone) - invention of the cell phone Assignment in Eternity Heinlein 1953
Prime Radiant - the ultimate conference projector Second Foundation Asimov 1953
R. Daneel Olivaw - I, robot Caves of Steel Asimov 1953
Salamander - it was a pleasure to burn Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Seashell Radio (Thimble Radios) - original walkman (or ear buds) Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Sound Analysis Assignment in Eternity Heinlein 1953
Speedtalk Assignment in Eternity Heinlein 1953
Spot-Wavex Converter - personalized mass media Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury 1953
Sunlight Blocker Childhood's End Clarke 1953
Torchship - a tail of flame Sky Lift Heinlein 1953
Transcriber - an automated transcriptionist Second Foundation Asimov 1953
Anti-Gerasone - drink and look younger Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Vonnegut 1954
Boat-Tree The Houses of Iszm Vance 1954
Copter Harness The Star Beast Heinlein 1954
House Trees The Houses of Iszm Vance 1954
Reading Plate - 50's style flat panel The Star Beast Heinlein 1954
Tanglefoot Field - non-lethal crowd control The Star Beast Heinlein 1954
Truth Meter - a 50's lie detector The Star Beast Heinlein 1954
Universal Dictionary - grandfather of the electronic dictionary The Star Beast Heinlein 1954
Autofac (Nanorobots) - a factory that can replicate itself Autofac Dick 1955
Central City (Lunar Habitat) Earthlight Clarke 1955
Deflatory Gesture Twenty-Two Diabologic Russell 1955
Diabological Armory Diabologic Russell 1955
Monocab Earthlight Clarke 1955
Ramsbotham Gate - wormhole Tunnel in the Sky Heinlein 1955
Schrieber Analyzer Diabologic Russell 1955
Scout-Base Diabologic Russell 1955
Swibble - mind control machine Service Call Dick 1955
Analogue - devolution through chemistry The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Bounce Tube - pneumatic tube system for people Double Star Heinlein 1956
Central Computer The City and the Stars Clarke 1956
Cider Press - acceleration made bearable Double Star Heinlein 1956
Dental Switchboard - tongue switching The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Diaspar Memory - everyone gets a copy The City and the Stars Clarke 1956
Drafting Dan - born before CAD The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Eager Beaver - your friendly robot helper The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Eetee (E.T - extraterrestrial) Double Star Heinlein 1956
Hired Girl - robotic floor maintenance The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Hush Corner - noise reduction Double Star Heinlein 1956
Internal Body Power Pack - AAAAAAAA size The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Jaunte Stage - a little space to teleport The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Matter Organizer The City and the Stars Clarke 1956
Maximum-security Booth - high security phone system Double Star Heinlein 1956
Precrime Analytical Wing - precogs babble, machines tabulate Minority Report Dick 1956
PyrE - thought explosive The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Refurbished Nervous System - rewired for speed The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Saga - very early virtual reality reference The City and the Stars Clarke 1956
Sargasso Asteroid - scavenger planetoid The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Stasis (Cold Sleep, Hibernation) The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Sympathetic Block - psychological privacy The Stars My Destination Bester 1956
Teakettle - booster rocket Double Star Heinlein 1956
Universal Checkbook - radioactive checking The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Vacutubes Double Star Heinlein 1956
Window-Willie - robot help for dirty windows The Door Into Summer Heinlein 1956
Accelerated Schooling Cities in Flight Blish 1957
City Fathers - AI with centuries of experience Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Dirac Transmitter (also Tranceiver or Communicator) - instant communication Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Fenton Silencer - early noise cancellation Tales from the White Hart Clarke 1957
Glass Bees - tiny automatons The Glass Bees Junger 1957
Inter-Universal Messenger Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Magnetic Control of Nebulae - by alien beings The Black Cloud Hoyle 1957
Molecular Sieve Tales from the White Hart Clarke 1957
Space Armor Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Spindizzy - pick up your town and go Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Storer-Gulls Wings - recreation for lunar colonists The Menace From Earth Heinlein 1957
Tin Cabby (Tin Cabbie) - mechacab Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Toposcope Cities in Flight Blish 1957
Cone of Silence - the original sound-dampener Cease Fire Herbert 1958
Espionage Machine - reading minds scientifically No, No, Not Rogov! Smith 1958
Life Detector - I see you! Cease Fire Herbert 1958
Life Detector Shield - an early mention of life sensors Cease Fire Herbert 1958
Message Tree - communication standard for a world A Case of Conscience Blish 1958
Hands Free Helmet - chin up Starship Troopers Heinlein 1959
Powered Armor (or Powered Suit) - military exoskeleton Starship Troopers Heinlein 1959
Talking Bomb - psych warfare Starship Troopers Heinlein 1959
Starlight Sail (Light Sail) - very early reference The Lady Who Sailed The Soul Smith 1960
Calster - portable cash printer Return from the Stars Lem 1961
Dimensino - alien entertainment center Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Gobathian - full body healing Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Grok - a Martian sees and knows Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Hunting Robe - a very thin hunting dog Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Hydraulic Bed - a waterbed Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Interactive Map - very early concept Return from the Stars Lem 1961
Jump Harness - rocket pack Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Living Grass Carpet - not AstroTurf Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Opton - electronic book Return from the Stars Lem 1961
Reading Machine - read while reclining Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Screensaver (Invention of) - the original idea Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Spray-On Clothing - dresses in a can Return from the Stars Lem 1961
Star Machine - explore the stars Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Stereo Tank - 3D TV receiver Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Stereovision - 3D TV tank (and first screen saver) Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein 1961
Taper - interstellar portable Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Transo - teleportation Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Butcher Plant - a plant that grows steaks Time is the Simplest Thing Simak 1961
Carniculture Vat - cultured meat Space Viking Piper 1962
Celestial Armamentarium - the mechanism of star movements The Dragon Masters Vance 1962
Diamagnetic Levitation The Currents of Space Clarke 1962
Light Sail (or Solar Sail) - propulsion for spacecraft Sail 25 Vance 1962
Luminescent Vial - Galadriel gave these out in LOTR The Dragon Masters Vance 1962
Tand - an abstract venerated sculpture The Dragon Masters Vance 1962
Veridicator - lie detector that works Little Fuzzy Piper 1962
Ice-Nine - the final form of water Cat's Cradle Vonnegut 1963
Rifle Range - virtual skeet shooting designed by aliens Way Station Simak 1963
Talisman - focus on your hopes Way Station Simak 1963
Way Station - galactic station master Way Station Simak 1963
Frictionless Surface - no stick before teflon Way Station Simak 1963
Luxvid Eyes (Jensen Wide-Angle) - unusual eye slits The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Bubblehead - big-head brainiacs The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Color Generator The Killing Machine Vance 1964
Commuter Cooling Unit - portable air conditioning The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Dr. Smile - psychiatrist in a suitcase The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Fake-Meter The Killing Machine Vance 1964
Flexible Stem The Killing Machine Vance 1964
Homeopape - news just you can use The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Identificator - holographic signage The Star King Vance 1964
Interchangeable Hands - mechanical variety The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Jet-Powered Aquaplane The Star King Vance 1964
Perky Pat Microworld - playset for grownups The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Single Seat Scooter The Star King Vance 1964
Skin Toning The Star King Vance 1964
Steel Teeth - all stainless The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Stick-Tight The Star King Vance 1964
Truffle Skins - genetically unique money The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Dick 1964
Undersea Restaurant The Star King Vance 1964
Universal Technical Consultative Service The Star King Vance 1964
Visi-Sonor - emotional brain multi-media Foundation and Empire Asimov 1964
Walking Fort - a fort with robotic legs The Killing Machine Vance 1964
Teddy Bear Robot I Always Do What Teddy Says Harrison 1965
Battle Language Dune Herbert 1965
Carryall - giant ornithopter Dune Herbert 1965
Crysknife - knife from a sandworm's tooth Dune Herbert 1965
Cutteray - mining laser Dune Herbert 1965
Dekon Type DCQ Subspace Explorers Smith 1965
Dew Collector - when every drop counts Dune Herbert 1965
Distrans - talk to the animals Dune Herbert 1965
Doorseal - retain moisture Dune Herbert 1965
Ego-Likeness - a true portrait Dune Herbert 1965
Factory Crawler (or Harvester Crawler) - sift the sands of Arrakis Dune Herbert 1965
Fanmetal - build temporary shelters Dune Herbert 1965
Fencing Mirror - fencing instructor Dune Herbert 1965
Filament Paper Book - small for space travel Dune Herbert 1965
Glowglobe - the original track lighting Dune Herbert 1965
Golden Lights - track lighting without the track Dune Herbert 1965
Hunter-seeker - floats like a butterfly... Dune Herbert 1965
Interests Profile - an intelligent agent The Age of The Pussyfoot Pohl 1965
Joymaker - the ultimate PDA The Age of The Pussyfoot Pohl 1965
Jubba Cloak Dune Herbert 1965
Kingdom in a Box The Cyberiad: Fables for the Cybernetic Age Lem 1965
Krimskell Fiber - better than zip strips Dune Herbert 1965
Lasgun - laser weapon Dune Herbert 1965
Message Cylinder - locked capsule Dune Herbert 1965
Minimic Film one micron thick recording medium Dune Herbert 1965
Oil Lens - infinitely adjustable lens Dune Herbert 1965
Ornithopter - flies like a bird Dune Herbert 1965
Pain Box - testing for humans Dune Herbert 1965
Palm Lock - uses more than a fingerprint Dune Herbert 1965
Paracompass - detects local magnetic anomalies Dune Herbert 1965
Plasteel - tough metal for tough times Dune Herbert 1965
Ramscoop World of Ptavvs Niven 1965
Residual Poison Dune Herbert 1965
Robot Bar - ancestor of R2D2 Bill the Galactic Hero Harrison 1965
Sandsnork - breathe under sand Dune Herbert 1965
Semuta - eerie music Dune Herbert 1965
Shigawire - high tensile strength wire Dune Herbert 1965
Solido Projector - envy of presenters Dune Herbert 1965
Stillsuit - when you want water retention Dune Herbert 1965
Stilltent - a tent that distills water Dune Herbert 1965
Suspensor - suspend gravity Dune Herbert 1965
Suspensor Chair - ultimate office chair Dune Herbert 1965
Suspensor Lamp - descendant of the lava lamp Dune Herbert 1965
Thumper - rhythmic vibration Dune Herbert 1965
Water Repellent Surface - non-wetting surface Dune Herbert 1965
Windtrap - pure water source Dune Herbert 1965
Ansible - the ultimate long distance phone Rocannon's World LeGuin 1966
Cyborg - man plus machine The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein 1966
Extra-Factual Memory - an implanted memory We Can Remember It For You Wholesale Dick 1966
Gauzy - a tent whose fabric is one molecule thick. This Immortal Zelazny 1966
Hush Hood - privacy when you need it The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein 1966
Laser Rifle - earliest use of term Door to Anywhere Anderson 1966
Mike (Fair Dinkum Thinkum) - artificial intelligence early on The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein 1966
Rolem - robot wrestler This Immortal Zelazny 1966
Sprung-Samser Treatment This Immortal Zelazny 1966
TANSTAAFL - and there isn't The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Heinlein 1966
Cloaking Device - invisibility for your whole ship The Enterprise Incident Unknown 1967
Cobra - slither and destroy Lord of Light Zelazny 1967
Embryonic Robots - early sci-fi nanobots? Counter Clock World Dick 1967
Mining Disintegrator The Arsenal Out of Time McDaniel 1967
Organlegging - first mention of organ smuggling The Jigsaw Man Niven 1967
Palm Flower Logan's Run Nolan (w/G.C. Johnson) 1967
Power-Wagon - legless beast of burden The Last Castle Vance 1967
Pray-Machine - megawatts of prayer Lord of Light Zelazny 1967
Shuttlecraft Star Trek Unknown 1967
Syrup Sac - kind of like those gravity flow beer hats The Last Castle Vance 1967
Andy - an artificial human Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Architectural Coral - build tp any shape A Gift From Earth Niven 1968
Babel-17 - words are telling Babel 17 Delany 1968
Cheekplate Container - exoskeleton accessory A Specter is Haunting Texas Leiber 1968
Cyborg Collar - controlled work gangs A Specter is Haunting Texas Leiber 1968
Decorative Implant - gadget surgery Babel 17 Delany 1968
Electric Sheep - livestock as consumer electronics Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Empathy Box - TV for your emotional brain Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Flexible Armor Suit - now you're Superman Neutron Star Niven 1968
HAL-9000 - prototypical AI 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Hibernaculum - nap time 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Icon Thumbsized Image - first reference? 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Kipple - non-recycled paper. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Mining Worm A Gift From Earth Niven 1968
Mobile Lab 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Mood Organ - play your partner Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Newspad - flat panel news display 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Nexus-6 Brain Unit - meet my friend Roy Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Penfield Wave Transmitter - an emotional brain remote control Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Ramrobot - automated space exploration A Gift From Earth Niven 1968
Replicant - an artificial human Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Slow Glass - a scendow for your apartment Light of Other Days Shaw 1968
Stasis Box There is a Tide Niven 1968
Stasis Field There is a Tide Niven 1968
Titanium Exoskeleton - conquer gravity A Specter is Haunting Texas Leiber 1968
TMA-1 - the Tycho monolith 2001: A Space Odyssey Clarke 1968
Voight-Kampff Empathy Test - can you pass? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Dick 1968
Caliban Beachball - home to the stars Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Chairdog - the ultimate ergonomic chair Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Crosswell Tape Worm Super-Toys Last All Summer Long Aldiss 1969
Disruptor Bomb The Man in the Maze Silverberg 1969
Float-home - living houseboat Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Ghola - night of the living Duncan Dune Messiah Herbert 1969
Gravity Web - keep gravity to a minimum Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Jumpdoor - entrance to the rabbit hole Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Pseudoflesh - key to boneless meat Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Recording Eye - interplanetary surveillance The Man in the Maze Silverberg 1969
Sniggertrance - caught between the stars Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Teddy Super-Toys Last All Summer Long Aldiss 1969
Tleilaxu Eyes (Metal Eyes) - insectile mechanical eyes Dune Messiah Herbert 1969
Vortal Tube Whipping Star Herbert 1969
Webfoam Cradle The Man in the Maze Silverberg 1969
Crash Balloons Ringworld Niven 1970
Drinking Bulb - best drinking container Ringworld Niven 1970
Droud - wire your pleasure center Ringworld Niven 1970
Electromagnetic Cannon Ringworld Niven 1970
Flashlight Laser Ringworld Niven 1970
Flycycle - if a Harley could fly Ringworld Niven 1970
General Products Hull Ringworld Niven 1970
Jack In - first use of term Tower of Glass Silverberg 1970
Kemplerer Rosette - planets without a sun Ringworld Niven 1970
Light-Sword - not an epee Ringworld Niven 1970
Osmosis Generator (Cziltang Brone) Ringworld Niven 1970
Refrigeration Tape - ground cooling Tower of Glass Silverberg 1970
Ringworld - sun-girdling artifact Ringworld Niven 1970
Scrith - tensile strength Ringworld Niven 1970
Shadow Square Ringworld Niven 1970
Shadow Square Wire Ringworld Niven 1970
Sigfrid von Shrink - computer shrink Gateway Pohl 1970
Slaver Disintegrator - ultimate plasma arc tool Ringworld Niven 1970
Slaver Stasis Field - where time does not pass Ringworld Niven 1970
Stepping Discs - open teleportation pads Ringworld Niven 1970
Tasp - right where you live Ringworld Niven 1970
Translator Discs Ringworld Niven 1970
Transmat - instant transport Tower of Glass Silverberg 1970
Variable Sword - better than Ginsu Ringworld Niven 1970
Impact Suit - shear-thickening armor The Flying Sorcerers Gerrold (w/L, Niven)&nbs