19th century author, 'Jules Verne' postulated such modern technology in his novels, such as the, 'Submarine.'[/caption]There are several different interpretations, especially if you consider the fact that on a chronological time line, the various time lines of various novels generally seem to take place in various parts of the future, from a few years in to the future to thousands upon thousands of years in to the future...
Well there is a series of books that I have noticed have been around since at the very least, the Victorian age, and all of the way up through the modern age... These books tend to try to predict technology and what it will be like in the future... Some have done this with some accuracy associated with it... A couple of examples of course being the fact that Jules Verne has in some ways anticipated the use of the, 'Submarine' in the modern day, decades before that started to become a reality, with the novel, 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea' (1874) and another interpretation of what would become known as the (Space Program) with the novel, 'From The Earth To The Moon' (1865).
Now before I go on I should probably say this, Twenty Thousand Leagues tells the story of a couple of survivors who end up onboard one of the earliest long running submarines and end up embarking on it's voyage... As for, 'The Earth To The Moon', this novel tells of how a gentleman's club ultimately sets about figuring out how to make it to the Moon!
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An amazing Victorian era Science Fiction novel that early on predicted the use of regular long running submarines.[/caption]Now that is just a couple of examples... The interesting truth about Nineteenth century literature is that generally speaking, they seemed to almost inadvertently try to predict where Technology would be in the future... I,e... Like I mentioned above, with trying to predict such things as, "a trip to the moon,' or a trip, 'under the sea'... And well, even though they might not have always gotten it right, there are certain surprising similarities in how they come to accomplish these tasks, that are shockingly similar to the modern technology, if only the basic design...
An example of this is the book, 'From The Earth To The Moon'... Although the basic technology that they use is different from the modern (rocket technology), that has dominated a lot of the modern space program. These people in the 19th century try to create there space program using a device that is similar to being shot out of a cannon in a bullet shaped space craft... The interesting thing here though is the design of the craft that is supposed to be taken to the moon, looks similar to a bullet, but more so then anything, has some similarities to the early years of the Space Program!
Another example of this, 'The Nautilus' from, 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea is actually extremely similar to modern Submarines... largely with the more regal look that was more popular in the 19th century though!
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The Nautilus, as seen in the movies, was a submarine that was used for the 19th century novel, 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea'... In a lot of ways, having that sub was Jules Verne's prediction on the modern submarine.[/caption]Well that was cool... The truth is, is that as far as the modern day technology goes, it is extremely hard for literature to predict that.
What do I mean by that you ask? Well lets take the original, 'Star Trek' TV series, (I know that this isn't exactly a novel, but I do think this 0ne would work fine for the example that I am about to give.)
As far as Star Trek goes, this show was actually supposed to take place centuries from now on a technologically advanced ship, that travels the galaxy, (as the say at the beginning of the series), 'exploring strange new worlds'...
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That's how technology goes... The Enterprise was obsolete centuries before it was even created![/caption]Well since the show was released in the 196os, there have been so many technological advancements that there are some areas of the world of technology that has actually surprised most of the series (spinoffs included!)
A couple of examples of this are:
1. A few years ago I read about how Scientists were working on releasing the first real world tricorders (I recently discovered that atleast to some extent, these early models of the, 'Tricorder' are actually in use!
2. Modern day computers are drastically better then what the, 'Enterprise' is supposed to have.
3. I recently have been reading articles about the advancements in Laser Technology...
4. And last but certainly not least, I came across a documentary that DeForest Kelley did some time in the 90s that talked about how he had discovered that scientists were actually working on trying to crack the formula for, 'Teleportation'.
Now there is some stuff though, that even with technology going as fast as it has, that mankind hasn't cracked yet, but has been postulated in literature, that I do think will happen at some point... Including:
1. Long distance space travel... This one has been a common theme for decades, but I have recently discovered that scientists have been working on safe methods to travel off planet for relatively cheap (making it possible for everyone to do so!) A great example that I have discovered is the space version of the, 'Zepplin'.
2. Warp travel is another medium that I think will be figured out some day... But I suspect that it is a long way off...
In the end, rather it be the 19th century, with Submarines, and flying cars, or if it is the 20th century with Warp drive, and teleportation, or even the 21st with living ships and AI computers, literature will continue to try it's hand at predicting the next technology trend... And well the truth is is that some would be cool, 'Like food replicators', and some would be kind of down right terrifying, with such things as killer robots... In the end, let's just hope that the next true predictions to be made through literature happens to be the less violent kind, eh?
