The ‘futuristic’ sci-fi inventions that inspired modern-day tech
Let’s talk about Star Trek, baby
3D printers –Star Trek
The most convenient bit of sci-fi tech ever created:replicators. They’re essentiallyhyper-advanced 3D printersthat can instantly create anything, from a cup of Earl Grey to alien-melting guns. While current 3D printers aren’t quite there yet,Star Trek’s replicators have been the inspiration and aspiration for many of these devices — with some of them gettingeerily close.
Mobile phones –Star TrekDick Tracy
For years, Martin Cooper—the inventor of the mobile phone—cited the originalStar Trekcommunicator as his inspiration for the famous ‘brick phone’ he designed at Motorola. But it wasall a lie. Last year,in his memoir, Cooper revealed that it was actually the two-way wrist radio from the 1930s comicDick Tracythat drove him to invent the mobile phone.Gasp!
Hoverboards –Back to the Future
In 2014, Arx Pax revealed its Hendo Hoverboard, which is currentlystill being developed. While even Tony Hawk has a hard time looking cool on this thing, we’re still excited to see the first person do a 360 kickflip on one of these.
Hoverbikes –Star Wars
The current versions of the hoverbike won’t get you through Endor’s forest quite as fast as the ones inReturn of the Jedi. Still, there have been actual live demonstrations. Most recently, the Japanese startup A.L.I. Technologiesshowed off its Xturismo in front of a crowd. And it did the thing!
Tractor beams –Star Trek
Tractor beams have been a sci-fi staple for years, but the real life versions tend to operate on aslightlysmaller scale. Researchers have been trying out different techniques, utilizingsoundwavesandlightto pull and push things as small nanoparticles. Currently, NASA and Arx Pax (the Hoverboard people) are working on a tractor beam powered bymagnetism. Awesome.
Tablets –Star Trek
The PADD, Star Trek’s version of the tablet computer, was so clearly Apple’s inspiration for the iPad, that when revealing it in 2010, Steve Jobs showed a Star Trek movie on the device.
Invisibility cloaks –Predator
There are a lot of different versions of invisibility tech in sci-fi, but one of the first iconic ones was used by the monster that had the unenviable task of duking it out with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987: the Predator. Considering its violent origin, it’s not surprising that the website of one of the leading companies developing the tech today—HyperStealth—looks likethis.
MP3 –Star Trek
While it doesn’t seem particularly futuristic now, the MP3 format was invented by Karlheinz Brandenburg, who has cited this brilliant scene fromStar Trek: The Next Generationas being his inspiration for a digital audio format. Thank you, Mr. Data.
What’s your favorite bit of sci-fi tech? Let us know onTwitter.
Story bySteven Kok
Steven is TNW’s engagement editor. Writes sometimes. Mostly here to get people to play D&D with him.Steven is TNW’s engagement editor. Writes sometimes. Mostly here to get people to play D&D with him.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
