Q: (Initially posted on 11/14/02) FROM MENTEE AMANDA T. IN MO
I'm [interested in] science fiction that has become
reality. I was wondering what you thought the
most important/best/significant invention or discovery
that was first seen or talked about in science
fiction. If you could please also list the title of
the science fiction and why you believe it is
significant etc... Thanks for any help you can offer.

November 15, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR WANDA RITCHIE IN MA
Amanda, this is an interesting question. Several reference come to
mind. I'm struggling with how to select the "most
importatn/best/significant" because it depends on what perspective you
chose to look at. Certainly, space travel was referenced in literature
long before it came to fruition (Jules Verne From Earth to Moon provides
one view). This is a bit of a "grand invention". I recall a couple of
references from science fiction that have become everyday conveniences:
telephone answering machines ( I think the reference was Stranger in a
Strange Land- Heinlein), moving sidewalks ( the reference was a Ray
Bradbury short story - the title escapes me at the moment). Hope this
helps.