Mother of Invention
No, not a real mother.
Maybe, not even a real invention, either!
I think science-fiction has changed a lot. I don’t mean that it’s different today than it was when I was a kid, though, I think that’s true, too. No, what I mean is that the intrepid science-fiction authors who have entertained us for so many years have actually changed things with their stories. One way I think they’ve changed things is via invention. They’re constantly coming up with crazy, new, almost magical inventions for their stories. Devices that do things we’d like to be able to do or at least do faster or easier. Some of these are pretty Earth-shattering, like a personal communication device you can fit in your pocket, and are so incredible that they actually inspire someone to invent them, like the cell phone. (Okay, yeah, there may not be a direct link between science-fiction and cell phones, but, you have to admit, it existed in sci-fi before we had it in our hand!)
Well, a little site called Technovelgy has put together a timeline of science-fiction inventions.
It’s fun and I think if you look at some of these things, you’ll recognize their modern equivalent. But, maybe most interesting of all is the stuff that’s been talked about in science-fiction that doesn’t exist… Yet. So, here’s your chance, you freshly graduated engineers and hopeful inventors, pick something from the list and make it come true!
But, for the rest of us, check out the list and day dream your Friday away.
