Posted on 04/06/2009 1:18:34 PM PDT by Notoriously Conservative
1. Robotics. This is probably the most well-known of these, since Isaac Asimov is famous for (among many other things) his three laws of robotics. Even so, I include it because it is one of the only actual sciences to have been first named in a science fiction story (”Liar!”, 1941). Asimov also named the related occupation (roboticist) and the adjective robotic.
2. Genetic engineering. The other science that received its name from a science fiction story, in this case Jack Williamson’s novel Dragon’s Island, which was coincidentally published in the same year as “Liar!” The occupation of genetic engineer took a few more years to be named, this time by Poul Anderson.
3. Zero-gravity/zero-g.
(Excerpt) Read more at nowthatsnifty.blogspot.com ...
The word “robot” itself was coined for a Czech play about 90 years ago.
Also from fictionalized science, but not science:
“Global Warming”
“Embryonic Stem Cell Cures”
“Power Plant Nuclear Explosion”
Not really.
The word is ancient and has been used in Russian for centuries. Robota/Roboti was introduced to English speaking audiences by the play, but despite the author very generously attributing the first application of the word to artificial humanoids to his brother, it had been applied to slave laborers as a derogatory term for a very long time before that.
Don’t forget Scientology
“I can see Russia from my house!”: NOT Sarah Palin.
for home
I grok.
Perhaps the most(?) famous one that is in common technical use: “Waldo(s)” for distance-connected remote manipulator(s) aka Telefactoring. Robert A. Heinlein - “Waldo & Magic, Inc.” (c. 1942). Used to handle radioactive and other highly toxic substances from behind protective shelter.
The term ‘Quantum Mechanic’ was used in the movie “Forbidden Planet”. This usage suffered much ridicule from the scientific crowd until fairly recently where the term is coming into legitimate usage - example
Nevertheless, the English-language use of the word traces its origin to that play, and one ought to be fair to Capek rather than give Asimov all the credit for it. The characters in the play were close to robots in the modern English sense of the word.
The Slavic word from which “Robot” is said to derive of course has its roots in an even more ancient etymology, as do all other words, but to dwell on that would be to digress.
Sorry, but I have to disagree. The Czech’s use of the word was not particularly novel given its historic usage, and it is inaccurate to say that the word was “coined” for the play. It was used as a derogatory term for slave laborers in Russia long before the 20th century — it was in fact a term applied to Slavs.
No.
Quantum Mechanics was the trade term almost from the beginning (1927-1928), to differentiate Quantum Mechanics from Classical Mechanics, which up until the 1930's was simply referred to as "mechanics."
Physicists ridiculed the use of the term in Forbidden Planet because its use in that film was hilariously inappropriate: to describe a mechanic working on advanced rocket designs. The new usage is a play on words for scientists and engineers actually dealing with quantum phenomena that has nothing to do with Forbidden Planet, and it isn't likely to emerge as an actual term of art except as a joke.
I meant the term quantum mechanic - not mechanics. In Forbidden Planet it was used to refer to a technician attempting repairs to their craft which was certainly not a rocket in any way shape or form. Check Wikipedia’s entry for the movie.
The reference I provided also refers to a tech guy, who as you pointed out is dealing with devices using quantum properties.
It is being used and I doubt it will fade soon, joke or not.
I guess we’ll see.
Thanks.
J
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