1. Joined
    06 May '15
    Moves
    27444
    09 Feb '22 00:41
    Light as plastic, stronger than steel:

    https://www.studyfinds.org/material-stronger-than-steel-light-as-plastic-mit/
  2. Joined
    16 Aug '15
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    1245
    09 Feb '22 04:05
    Years ago there was some sort of "science fiction" tech manual for spaceships etc.Much of the armour was plasteel. That's how I learned the term.
  3. SubscriberSuzianne
    Misfit Queen
    Isle of Misfit Toys
    Joined
    08 Aug '03
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    36633
    10 Feb '22 09:57
    The term was invented, I believe, by Frank Herbert, in Dune (1965).
  4. Joined
    06 May '15
    Moves
    27444
    02 Mar '22 18:00
    @suzianne said
    The term was invented, I believe, by Frank Herbert, in Dune (1965).
    Hmm, I would have guessed Asimov or Heinlein, but you might be right.

    And how nice to think that even before a certain centenary in 2026, we all have visiplates. 😉
  5. SubscriberPonderable
    chemist
    Linkenheim
    Joined
    22 Apr '05
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    655287
    04 Mar '22 08:42
    @kevin-eleven said
    Hmm, I would have guessed Asimov or Heinlein, but you might be right.

    And how nice to think that even before a certain centenary in 2026, we all have visiplates. 😉
    You know that thye have a glaucoma treatment by this name?

    And I know that you made reference to Bzck Rogers.

    Howvere: where are the flying, nuckear driven cars they promised us 🙁
  6. SubscriberSuzianne
    Misfit Queen
    Isle of Misfit Toys
    Joined
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    36633
    04 Mar '22 10:49
    The sci-fi nerds here (like me) might find something interesting at this website:

    http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/ctnlistalpha.asp

    Find the origin or first-use of dozens of sci-fi words.
  7. SubscriberPonderable
    chemist
    Linkenheim
    Joined
    22 Apr '05
    Moves
    655287
    04 Mar '22 11:52
    @suzianne said
    The sci-fi nerds here (like me) might find something interesting at this website:

    http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/ctnlistalpha.asp

    Find the origin or first-use of dozens of sci-fi words.
    Thank you!
  8. Joined
    06 May '15
    Moves
    27444
    06 Mar '22 12:21
    @suzianne said
    The sci-fi nerds here (like me) might find something interesting at this website:

    http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/ctnlistalpha.asp

    Find the origin or first-use of dozens of sci-fi words.
    Thanks! That's quite a project.
  9. SubscriberSuzianne
    Misfit Queen
    Isle of Misfit Toys
    Joined
    08 Aug '03
    Moves
    36633
    06 Mar '22 16:422 edits
    Surprised to see some authors I haven't read much, like E.E. "Doc" Smith, have like 57 words on this list.
  10. Joined
    06 May '15
    Moves
    27444
    08 Mar '22 20:43
    @suzianne said
    Surprised to see some authors I haven't read much, like E.E. "Doc" Smith, have like 57 words on this list.
    I have only read a little of "Doc" Smith, but when I did (some years ago) I remember thinking "Wow! Original Star Trek borrowed tractor beams from him." (of course it was only about a 30-year difference back then)

    Really horrible to consider the dreams and possibilities of the 1920s and 1930s, and the parallel psychotic savagery, which has not completely abated -- but that's our problem to solve, or try to solve, isn't it?
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