Back in the day when Dick Tracy talked into his video phone watch people thought that was just impossible. Well today we are easily convinced that things we see in science fiction is all subject to possibility. Many technologies found in these popular films and tv shows are now commonplace objects.
The silly shoe phone used by Maxwell Smart was just ludicrous. It wasn’t plugged into anything, it had its own power, and it worked EVERYWHERE!!! And now everyone seems to have one but we don’t keep it in your shoe.
Enterainment Weekly hits up on 12 pieces of tech that we might not see but would still be cool.
1 – Neuralizer – Men in Black
2 – Lightsaber – Star Wars
3 – Gestural Computer – Minority Report
4 – Makeup Applicator – Fifth Element
5 – Instant Information – The Matrix
6 – Point of View Gun – Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy
7 – Universal Remote – Click
8 – Radio Watch – Dick Tracy
9 – Batmobile – Batman
10- Time Travelling Deloran – Back to the Future
11 – Hoverboard – Back to the Future 2
12 – Communicator – Star Trek
Some of the obvious ones that came to mind on that list would have been Star Trek’s transporters or flying cars.
I think in the case of things like the Gestural Computer that we could likely have interactive computers, though unlikely based on holographic interaction, touch screen computers and the Windows Tabletop PC are not far off. Even the Star Trek communicators are not unrealistic. Cell phones are getting smaller and new models have GPS locators in them already.
I don’t think I would want a Lightsaber simply for its danger factor. Sure it would be handy for cutting… well anything. But if you drop it while it’s on, realistically it would burrow to the center of the earth. And I’d really hate to have it pointed the wrong way when I turned it on. Whoa Nelly.
So what other “impossible movie tech” would you like to see for real?
the Neuralyzer was somthing i wanting in shcool.
ED-209 – RoboCop
Does The Quickening cout
Clock that stop time- Clockstoppers
Gun Kata-Equilibrium
I would love to have the Illudium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator (Marvin the Martian)
Robert, your “seizure inducing technologies” that might have a side effect of memory loss hardly counts as the same as the Neurolyzer. And a cell phone might serve a similar purpose, but its not a ST Communicator.
The list was to point out technologies you wish you could HAVE.
You have made examples of similar technologies that are not like the fantasy tech. Also, 3 of your 5 examples you can’t have.
Hey Alfredo
I haven’t seen any Cell phones that are the size of a quarter that have two way communication, GPS, voice activation and life sign monitoring.
A cell phone is similar in technology, but it is FAR from the ST Comm badges.
Like I said in the article Even the Star Trek communicators are not unrealistic. Cell phones are getting smaller and new models have GPS locators in them already.
Rodney the Star Trek communicator does exist it’s called cell phone.
Uhhhh…..
1 – Neuralizer – Check (there are many seizure inducing technologies which can make you experience memory loss)
3 – Gestural Computer – Check
8 – Radio Watch – Check
9 – Batmobile – Check (yes, they actually built a real size working model)
12 – Communicator – Check
5 out of your 12 technologies actually exist
“I feel the same way about Batmobiles, proton packs, time light cycles and Ironman’s armor – what in God’s name would a guy living in the real world do with any of that? ”
Subjugate people who don’t possess delusions of macho grandeur, killjoy.=P
The light saber is undoubtedly the most iconic and cinematic technology “invented” for a film. It works visually in those films and is one of the strongest aspects of what makes them cool. I have to agree though that it immediately struck me as the most useless on a purely practical level. I would have zero use for it. It’s great on screen but I have no illusions about myself as a Jedi with the necessary skills to master it’s use. I want practical tech that would benefit people who have average everyday lives.
I feel the same way about Batmobiles, proton packs, time light cycles and Ironman’s armor – what in God’s name would a guy living in the real world do with any of that? I have no delusions of macho grandeur.
Star Trek (maybe it was disqualified as orignally a TV show) has the best stuff that would improve my everyday life as a regular civilian:
– Holodecks (the porn applications alone would make it the most awesome and used invention in the history of humankind)
– transporters
– replicators (imagine ending famine and soaring food prices forever)
– warp speed technology
– tricorders
Orgasmorator (Orgazmo), FTW?
Most obvious one: transporter (star trek) . Could you imagine going hundreds of miles in fifteen seconds. Hello Paris, France.
1 – Holodeck: (Star Trek)
2 – Max/Ship: (Flight of the Navigator)
3 – Iron Man’s Armor: (Iron Man)
4 – Maximillian: (Black Hole) – julienned fries anyone?
5 – Shrink/Growth machine: (Honey I Shrunk the Kids)
6 – Light Cycles: (Tron) – Never get cut off in traffic again.
7 – Proton Pack:(Ghostbusters)
8 – Hypertime Watch: (Clockstoppers)
9 – Time Traveling Phone Booth: (Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure)
10 – Killbots: (Chopping Mall) – Cuter then WALL-E
With regard to the not wanting a light-saber… thats why they are the weapon of the Jedi. Hang on a minute don’t they actually exist now though… uh-oh!
Ah the damage I could do with a Light Saber.
I know a few movie billboard signs I would slice down as with some stop signs too.
No lock would stop me, and I could make a killing in metal fabricaton.
Neuralyzer all the way.
I remember James Bond had a touch pad on his mobile phone that could drive his car in ‘Tommorrow Never Dies’. I can’t see that being too far away.
oh I forgot one, the ‘gills’ device the jedi use in phantom menace to breath underwater.
A clone that will work my job for me- multiplicity.
And obviously, the information download from matrix needs to happen like now.
Warp Drive – Star Trek
Tricorder – Star Trek
Replicants – Blade Runner
I’m still waiting for that god dam hover board.
Any, I’d like a time traviling phone booth. – Bill and Ted
A Sattelite dish that puts you in to television. – Stay tuned
I’ll try to think of more