What do you think?
Rate this book
Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive
The name Star Trek conjures images of faster-than-light spacecraft, holographic crew members, and phasers set to stun. Some of these incredible devices may still be far from our reach, but others have made the leap from science fiction to science fact—and now you can learn the science and engineering of what makes them tick.
Treknology looks at over twenty-five iconic inventions from the complete history of the Star Trek television and film universe. Author Ethan Siegel explores and profiles these dazzling technologies and their role Star Trek, the science behind how they work, and how close we are to achieving them in the real world today.
This stunning collection is packed with 150 superb film and television stills, prop photography, and scientific diagrams to pull you into another world. Brace yourself for a detailed look at the inner workings of Star Trek’s computing capabilities, communications equipment, medical devices, and awe-inspiring ships. This book is one that no fan of Star Trek, or future tech, will want to miss.
Treknology looks at over twenty-five iconic inventions from the complete history of the Star Trek television and film universe. Author Ethan Siegel explores and profiles these dazzling technologies and their role Star Trek, the science behind how they work, and how close we are to achieving them in the real world today.
This stunning collection is packed with 150 superb film and television stills, prop photography, and scientific diagrams to pull you into another world. Brace yourself for a detailed look at the inner workings of Star Trek’s computing capabilities, communications equipment, medical devices, and awe-inspiring ships. This book is one that no fan of Star Trek, or future tech, will want to miss.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2017
46 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 12, 2018
I´m a longtime trekker and some years ago I gave a speech for high school students which covered similar topics to this book.
The book of course is much better than my humble conference. The explanations are easy to follow and the pictures are stunning. A must-have for any trekker or science geek.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for giving me a free ARC in exchange for a honest review)
The book of course is much better than my humble conference. The explanations are easy to follow and the pictures are stunning. A must-have for any trekker or science geek.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for giving me a free ARC in exchange for a honest review)
January 15, 2018
Great nerd coffee table book
I enjoyed this book. I particularly liked how Ethan Siegel compared where Star Trek was and where we are and where we will realistically be. He was unhesitant to label some things as unrealistic while others as attainable. He explained the science clearly and wrote in a fun way. Although i received a digital galley of the book via Netgalley, I was also fortunate to receive a hard copy as a gift and I can safely say that the book is beautiful. The photographs and illustrations are gorgeous to the point where I would say that this is a good coffee-table book. I strongly recommend this book for fans of Star Trek or for anyone interested in science.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
I enjoyed this book. I particularly liked how Ethan Siegel compared where Star Trek was and where we are and where we will realistically be. He was unhesitant to label some things as unrealistic while others as attainable. He explained the science clearly and wrote in a fun way. Although i received a digital galley of the book via Netgalley, I was also fortunate to receive a hard copy as a gift and I can safely say that the book is beautiful. The photographs and illustrations are gorgeous to the point where I would say that this is a good coffee-table book. I strongly recommend this book for fans of Star Trek or for anyone interested in science.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
January 28, 2018
TODAY'S GUEST: Ethan Siegel, astrophysicist, author, "Star Trek: Treknology - The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive” by Bob Andelman
I don’t know if you have seen it, but the new Star Trek TV series, Star Trek: Discovery, is an extraordinary piece of entertainment.
Let me go a step further: the sixth episode of the new series’ first season may just have been the best single episode of any Star Trek TV series that I have ever seen. And I have seen them all, first run, going back to the original in the 1960s.
(Yup, I’m that old.)
I tell you this because the timing seems perfect to discuss Ethan Siegel’s fascinating new book, "Star Trek Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive."
While not the first book of its kind, Treknology is a gorgeous, well-researched and sharply written exploration of where we actually stand on technology to take us where no man has gone before: from transporters, impulse engines and warp drives to holodecks, replicators, and tricorders, the future is closer than ever.
If we can dream it, there is now or will be soon a scientist who can build it.
So if you love all things treknology, check out this book. And don’t miss another episode of “Star Trek Discovery” either.
https://mrmedia.com/2018/01/star-trek...
#EthanSiegel #Treknology #StarTrek #StarTrekTreknology #StarTrektechnology #tricorders #warpdrive #ClassicTrek #StarTrekTheNextGeneration #StarTrekEnterprise #StarTrekVoyager #DeepSpaceNine #StarTrekDiscovery #tractorbeams #transporters #impulseengines #antimatter #cloakingdevices #deflectorshields #phasers #photontorpedoes #universaltranslators #GeneRoddenberry #holodeck #replicators #synthehol #FloridaGators #UniversityOfFlorida #astrophysicist
I don’t know if you have seen it, but the new Star Trek TV series, Star Trek: Discovery, is an extraordinary piece of entertainment.
Let me go a step further: the sixth episode of the new series’ first season may just have been the best single episode of any Star Trek TV series that I have ever seen. And I have seen them all, first run, going back to the original in the 1960s.
(Yup, I’m that old.)
I tell you this because the timing seems perfect to discuss Ethan Siegel’s fascinating new book, "Star Trek Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive."
While not the first book of its kind, Treknology is a gorgeous, well-researched and sharply written exploration of where we actually stand on technology to take us where no man has gone before: from transporters, impulse engines and warp drives to holodecks, replicators, and tricorders, the future is closer than ever.
If we can dream it, there is now or will be soon a scientist who can build it.
So if you love all things treknology, check out this book. And don’t miss another episode of “Star Trek Discovery” either.
https://mrmedia.com/2018/01/star-trek...
#EthanSiegel #Treknology #StarTrek #StarTrekTreknology #StarTrektechnology #tricorders #warpdrive #ClassicTrek #StarTrekTheNextGeneration #StarTrekEnterprise #StarTrekVoyager #DeepSpaceNine #StarTrekDiscovery #tractorbeams #transporters #impulseengines #antimatter #cloakingdevices #deflectorshields #phasers #photontorpedoes #universaltranslators #GeneRoddenberry #holodeck #replicators #synthehol #FloridaGators #UniversityOfFlorida #astrophysicist
January 22, 2018
I've long been a fan of Star Trek (favourite series - The Next Generation) and so I jumped at the chance to read this ARC. An interesting look at the science behind the ideas on the franchise, and also at some of the inventions it has inspired, taking in everything from the sliding doors, with that unmistakable shh sound, to warp drive technology - this is a comprehensive guide. Packed with photos from the different show incarnations, except the most recent one, it is a must-read for any Star Trek fan.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers, Quarto Publishing Group - Voyageur Press, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers, Quarto Publishing Group - Voyageur Press, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
June 4, 2022
When I first picked this up I thought it was going to be a really basic coffee table book with a lot of images and very surface-level information but it’s actually quite detailed and an interesting read. In some ways, it’s a successor to the 1996 Physics of Star Trek. It’s really interesting to see the developments that took place in the 20 years between the two books.
November 29, 2023
Cool review of how real technology was inspired by Star Trek.
February 13, 2018
Sci-fi writings have been the dreams and places of inspiration for scientists for years past and this book shows that Star Trek is no different. A look at the items from the show that have or are becoming science fact, this book is well presented and easy to navigate, it goes into depth on some of the more familiar elements from Gene Roddenberry's world. With many, many images to break up the science, this could almost be a coffee table book, definitely recommended.
December 28, 2017
There have been previous attempts to use Star Trek to illustrate popular science, such as 20th Century Computers and How They Worked: The Official Starfleet History of Computers which used Next Generation graphics and had Data as the author. This book was a step above other attempts as it looks at where modern science is in relation to the Star Trek universe, and how far we are along to reaching some of these milestones in science. It covers all of the Trek series and films (including the Kelvin universe) except for latest series Star Trek: Discovery, which is a shame because I would have like to see how this book explained the Spore Drive. (Spoilery rant ahead - seriously, the ship can travel instantaneously from one place to another with the help of some space magic mushrooms and a space tardigrade. Now the latter have up and left, Lieutenant Stamets has taken on the role, and I wonder how long it is before he turns into a Guild Navigator. Seriously, they should have just called it the Infinite Improbability Drive and left it at that. Rant over).
I wasn't really expecting to learn much, but to my surprise there was a lot of new stuff in here. Who knew that transparent aluminum actually existed, for example? The subject matter was well chosen and well explained given the limited amount of space allocated for each piece of technology. The Star Trek elements were also seamlessly integrated into the book to make for an enjoyable read for Trek fan and science nerd alike.
I found it really interesting to consider how much Star Trek predicted technology in the future or whether people were inspired to create something based on what they saw on Star Trek. It's almost a self fulfilling loop at this point. The book on the whole is optimistic about the future and how science will affect our lives, which is a small ray of light in an increasingly dark age world. It also sounds cautionary notes about the ethics of some of these technologies, something that is often forgotten in the race for new ways to kill ourselves.
A very worthy book.
I wasn't really expecting to learn much, but to my surprise there was a lot of new stuff in here. Who knew that transparent aluminum actually existed, for example? The subject matter was well chosen and well explained given the limited amount of space allocated for each piece of technology. The Star Trek elements were also seamlessly integrated into the book to make for an enjoyable read for Trek fan and science nerd alike.
I found it really interesting to consider how much Star Trek predicted technology in the future or whether people were inspired to create something based on what they saw on Star Trek. It's almost a self fulfilling loop at this point. The book on the whole is optimistic about the future and how science will affect our lives, which is a small ray of light in an increasingly dark age world. It also sounds cautionary notes about the ethics of some of these technologies, something that is often forgotten in the race for new ways to kill ourselves.
A very worthy book.
November 19, 2017
An engaging and entertaining look at the science from Star Trek, and its real world applications.
Lavishly illustrated with stills from the various Trek television series and films, ranging from The Original Series to the most recent Abrams and Lin films, the book looks not only at how the technology developed over the franchise, but also how it both inspired and was inspired by real life science and technology. Broken down into categories, everything from transporters to photon torpedoes, communicators to tricorders are discussed in a concise and easy to follow way, making the book enjoyable and informative even for those with only the most rudimentary science knowledge. I particularly liked the focus on where current technology stands in comparison to the future envisioned in Trek, and was quite surprised by how advanced the developments are in certain areas such as the transparent aluminum referred to in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. While much of the science and technology explored is of course physics based, there is a full chapter devoted to the medical side of things including Geordi's visor and the hypospray, as well as an interesting discussion of the chemistry of synthehol.. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to any Star Trek fan, a great window into how the science fiction of the past has informed the technology of today, and where that technology may boldly go in the future.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Lavishly illustrated with stills from the various Trek television series and films, ranging from The Original Series to the most recent Abrams and Lin films, the book looks not only at how the technology developed over the franchise, but also how it both inspired and was inspired by real life science and technology. Broken down into categories, everything from transporters to photon torpedoes, communicators to tricorders are discussed in a concise and easy to follow way, making the book enjoyable and informative even for those with only the most rudimentary science knowledge. I particularly liked the focus on where current technology stands in comparison to the future envisioned in Trek, and was quite surprised by how advanced the developments are in certain areas such as the transparent aluminum referred to in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. While much of the science and technology explored is of course physics based, there is a full chapter devoted to the medical side of things including Geordi's visor and the hypospray, as well as an interesting discussion of the chemistry of synthehol.. This is definitely a book I'd recommend to any Star Trek fan, a great window into how the science fiction of the past has informed the technology of today, and where that technology may boldly go in the future.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
November 20, 2017
I am a huge Trekkie. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. I grew up with Star Trek the next generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, Enterprise and now the rebooted Star Trek. I know this genre.
I picked up this book for the pure science of it. The content is so in depth with real situations that correlate with Star Trek technology. We've come so far, and a lot of the things we take for granted on the show, are close to becoming reality. The photos are great and placed throughout the book. The writing was excellent, although a little dry at times.
My ten year old autistic son would love this read. He is all about the science. I will be passing this book along to him.
This would be a great Christmas present for anyone who loves Star Trek and has a thing for science.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I picked up this book for the pure science of it. The content is so in depth with real situations that correlate with Star Trek technology. We've come so far, and a lot of the things we take for granted on the show, are close to becoming reality. The photos are great and placed throughout the book. The writing was excellent, although a little dry at times.
My ten year old autistic son would love this read. He is all about the science. I will be passing this book along to him.
This would be a great Christmas present for anyone who loves Star Trek and has a thing for science.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
December 3, 2017
This is a very good look at the science as used in Star Trek (in all its variations), and more importantly what our current level of nous equates to. So while the 3D printer is a long way off knowing which type of cup to serve "tea - early grey - hot" in, we don't have as far to go as we'd fear. Mind you, in so many other regards - FTL travel, instantaneous communication, and so on - we're just flapping a posh salt shaker over someone who might be expecting a full tricorder. It'll teach the average reader a lot of quite advanced physics and chemistry, even while it shows we've advanced in quite special ways in computing and other subjects. Highly pictorial, this is eminently browseable, has a lot of information to teach us, and a positive message. I really liked it.
June 2, 2019
Jules Verne told popular stories. He was quite an ignorant, but over a century has developed quite a fan base. So his magical underwater palace becomes a submarine. His crude gun to the Moon becomes somehow a visionary Apollo module. And so on.
Now, an ignoramus from the Star Trek gang is building a myth with the same method. A dumb cupboard with blinking lights becomes an advanced computer. The lack of funds to make an input device and the talk of actors into empty air becomes Google Assistant.
Now, an ignoramus from the Star Trek gang is building a myth with the same method. A dumb cupboard with blinking lights becomes an advanced computer. The lack of funds to make an input device and the talk of actors into empty air becomes Google Assistant.
January 29, 2018
4.5 🌟
It was a highly engaging books that covered a number of the diverse technological advances put forth in the “Star Trek” series. While, I enjoyed learning how we might get, from the technology level humanity is at right now, to the Star Trek level...the science sometimes became a bit too in-depth and I wasn’t truly able to appreciate what the author was talking about. Hence the 4.5 🌟rating. Otherwise, a quite enlightening & enjoyable trip down “Star Trek Technobabble Lane”.
It was a highly engaging books that covered a number of the diverse technological advances put forth in the “Star Trek” series. While, I enjoyed learning how we might get, from the technology level humanity is at right now, to the Star Trek level...the science sometimes became a bit too in-depth and I wasn’t truly able to appreciate what the author was talking about. Hence the 4.5 🌟rating. Otherwise, a quite enlightening & enjoyable trip down “Star Trek Technobabble Lane”.
March 4, 2018
This was a very fun and pretty informative book about STAR TREK technologies and the real life scientific theories and processes behind them, as well as real life technologies that are slowly but surely catching up with the fantasy. While it was pretty heavy on the science at times, and while some of the physics stuff went right over my head, I did enjoy reading about the tech and the real life analogs. Plus, lots of great pictures of STAR TREK moments AND moments in technological history.
December 17, 2017
Spoiler alert: I'm not a Trekkie, but I still wanted to learn more about the show and what better way than learning the science behind it?! The photos were beautiful and everything was explained in such a way that even I could understand. Kudos to the author for that. This is a great addition for anyone that loves science and science fiction. I would recommend this book. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
February 8, 2018
This is a great book for anyone, Trekkie or not. It breaks down a lot of the science in Star Trek and how it's influenced science in real life. The book also references events along the fictional Star Trek time line that correspond to those scientific advances, which is great for hardcore Trekkies or someone new to Star Trek.
June 8, 2019
Such a great book! I devoured it over the course of a few hours, then reread a few parts before lending it to a friend so I could talk to her about it! I'm a huge space sciences nerd so I already knew some of these things, so I could tell that it was well researched. I learned a lot from this book, and enjoyed every second of it.
June 28, 2019
Trekkies will probably find it more palatable to read this guide not by another Trekkie, but by a PhD.
It's probably a good thing because without a grounding of physics, it may be hard to explain some of the concepts, let alone understand them.
While the technologies in Star Trek may be decades away before they can be realised, the author demonstrates that some are more science than fiction.
It's probably a good thing because without a grounding of physics, it may be hard to explain some of the concepts, let alone understand them.
While the technologies in Star Trek may be decades away before they can be realised, the author demonstrates that some are more science than fiction.
January 3, 2021
An interesting look at the technology of Star Trek and how we compare to what was seen on the show. If it is possible, an explanation is given, if not then possible alternatives that can accomplish the same results are proposed and discussed. A truly fascinating look at how close we are to having many of the advances envisioned and a look at ones we already have.
October 25, 2017
Dispenses with too much speculation and dives right into how close modern science has gotten to many of Star Trek's most famous concepts and technologies.
December 28, 2017
A really nice overview of various technologies used in Star Trek, where we are now, and how feasible they could become. Helped me enjoy the show just a bit more.
July 30, 2018
I've read others like this, but it gave a good overview on the progress toward various Treknologies.
August 14, 2018
Pedantic and uninspiring. There are better ways to spend your time.
August 19, 2018
A fascinating run through the way Star Trek fiction preceded science fact.
March 16, 2019
This was a really good book that explains in depth the technology of Starfleet. I only wish it would include more information about the starships...
April 29, 2019
A very uplifting read. We are getting closer to Gene Roddenberry's dream every day.
July 5, 2019
Great invention book based upon Star Trek!
December 28, 2022
Fantastic! Very approachable and exciting
March 24, 2018
https://rivermoosebooks.wordpress.com...
*I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book explores the technology of the Star Trek universe. As I huge Star Trek nerd, I loved this. I think the technology they chose to showcase were well picked, well organized, and the sections were well written. Though, if you don't know Star Trek, you will be fully lost.
Each section is helped by stills and pictures from pretty much every iteration of Star Trek, focusing raining on TOS, TNG and the new movies (having both TOS and new canon stills was a bit weird because you have two faces labeled Captain Kirk etc. but it didn't negatively impact the book).
Some sections were written as if in-universe. With the science behind the technology explained as if it were a real technology. With history and discovery dates etc. which I loved. Other parts left the in-universe and compared the technology to real world technologies etc. and elaborated the role said technology played in a specific Star Trek show. I think it might have benefitted from being one or the other rather than both.
In all, I thought this was a great book, though it would have been much better in person, as the digital edition resolution isn't great or easy to flip through. I recommend this for any serious Star Trek fan.
*I received an e-arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book explores the technology of the Star Trek universe. As I huge Star Trek nerd, I loved this. I think the technology they chose to showcase were well picked, well organized, and the sections were well written. Though, if you don't know Star Trek, you will be fully lost.
Each section is helped by stills and pictures from pretty much every iteration of Star Trek, focusing raining on TOS, TNG and the new movies (having both TOS and new canon stills was a bit weird because you have two faces labeled Captain Kirk etc. but it didn't negatively impact the book).
Some sections were written as if in-universe. With the science behind the technology explained as if it were a real technology. With history and discovery dates etc. which I loved. Other parts left the in-universe and compared the technology to real world technologies etc. and elaborated the role said technology played in a specific Star Trek show. I think it might have benefitted from being one or the other rather than both.
In all, I thought this was a great book, though it would have been much better in person, as the digital edition resolution isn't great or easy to flip through. I recommend this for any serious Star Trek fan.
May 29, 2021
A few moderately interesting chapters, otherwise filled with complete fluff. Don't waste your time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews