5 Top Sci-Fi Gadgets That Actually Exist

Electronic Products ^ | 01/27/2014 | Grace Noto

[ApplegateRanch]

I had to explain to my daughters that this was unavailable at the time, and they had to have a crew member push a button as the actor approached.

They were widely available, just not on the set.

“Electric eye” is an old-fashioned term for a photodetector, an electronic circuit activated by light. First developed in the 1890s, this concept has been adapted to new devices and technology and is still in use in the 21st century. Common applications include remote controls, automatic doors, and motion detectors. This particular term has gradually faded from use at the end of the 20th century, although it was revived in 2009 to describe advances in artificial sight. ...

... The once-novel electric eye had become a commonplace device by the last third of the 20th century. Familiar uses included automated doors in supermarkets and other public buildings

More here

[RansomOttawa]

Have you ever noticed that there is no wifi in the Star Trek universe?

Sure there was. From TNG onward, crew members always wandered around using those pad devices that looked like iPad Minis. They were wireless interfaces to the central computer.

[RansomOttawa]

I had to explain to my daughters that this was unavailable at the time, and they had to have a crew member push a button as the actor approached.

It was even more low-tech than that, from what I've read. A couple of guys behind the wall just pulled the doors open by hand.

[Billthedrill]

Anyone who would believe that stuff would also believe in horseless carriages and heavier-than-air flight. Ridiculous.