Technology in science fiction is a crucial aspect of
the genre.
As science fiction emerged during the era of
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States, that occurred during the period from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going f ...
, the increased presence of machines in everyday life and their role in shaping of the society was a major influence on the genre.
It appeared as a major element of the
Proto SF, represented by machines and gadgets in works of
Jules Verne
Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the '' Voyages extra ...
,
George Griffith
George Griffith (1857–1906), full name George Chetwynd Griffith-Jones, was a prolific British science fiction writer and noted explorer who wrote during the late Victorian and Edwardian age. Many of his visionary tales appeared in magazin ...
,
H. G. Wells,
Edward Bellamy and others.
Technology has been portrayed both in positive or negative ways; in some works it is a solution to the world problems, in others, a means of its destruction.
Such things as robots and space travel became commonplace in the fiction of the 19th century.
Concepts and illustrations of technology in science fiction have been a significant influence in the formation of popular culture images of future technology.
Science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...
has often affected
innovation
Innovation is the practical implementation of ideas that result in the introduction of new goods or services or improvement in offering goods or services. ISO TC 279 in the standard ISO 56000:2020 defines innovation as "a new or changed enti ...
and new technology – for example many rocketry pioneers were inspired by science fiction.
See also
*
Emerging technologies
Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications. Emerging technologies a ...
*
Hypothetical technology
*
Mad scientist
The mad scientist (also mad doctor or mad professor) is a stock character of a scientist who is perceived as " mad, bad and dangerous to know" or "insane" owing to a combination of unusual or unsettling personality traits and the unabashedly am ...
*
Technobabble
Technobabble (a portmanteau of ''technology'' and ''babble''), also called technospeak, is a type of nonsense that consists of buzzwords, esoteric language, or technical jargon. It is common in science fiction.
See also
* Academese
* Bullshi ...
*
Technology forecasting
References
{{Sf-stub
Science fiction themes
Fictional technology