From Science Fiction to Science Fact

by Joel Levy

The iconic futurist artist and designer Syd Mead once described science fiction as "reality ahead of schedule". In From Science Fiction to Science Fact, Levy explores the visions of the writers, futurists and far-sighted inventors who made those realities, from the direct influence of H.G. Wells on the atomic bomb and the tank, to the ambitious prototypes created by inventors ahead of their time, such as Nikola Tesla's remote-controlled drone ships. The history and development of each technology is detailed and related in context, exploring the road from prescient fictional representation to real-life technology. Meet the greatest names and works in sci-fi, from Jules Verne and Aldous Huxley to Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, Star Trek to the Bionic Man, alongside visionary inventors such as Tesla and Wernher von Braun. What the writers of modern science fiction invent today, you and I will do tomorrow. - J. G. Ballard

Genres: Nonfiction, History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2019

About the author

Joel Levy is a writer and journalist specializing in science and history. He is the author of over a dozen books, including The Little Book of Conspiracies and Scientific Feuds: From Galileo to the Human Genome Project. Phobiapedia is his first book for children.

Reviews

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting rather than entertaining, feeling like I was reading a dull textbook. Saved by images and photos from various centuries. Not much I can add bar that I will never read it again.

[Nicholas Smeaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched look into how Science and Science fiction have influenced each other. I learned a lot about little known works of SF that made major predictions about new technology and it's effects on society years or even decades before a well known story by a famous author did.
If you're interested in this facet of Science Fiction then this book is a must have.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting how everything invented now was from blueprints created by past inventors. We just have the capabilities now to execute the plans from the past.

[Marc Diepstraten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun to read, beautiful photos accompanying the text. Most examples are done very nicely, with great references. Would not mind a follow up book. Very interesting.