Sci-Fi tech that turned out to be pretty accurate

One of the most appealing aspects of science fiction is that it allows us to take a peek into the future through the imagination of the writers and producers of books, movies, and television shows. Some of them are far-fetched… or at least they seem that way at the time. Others turn out to be pretty darn spot-on.

Such is the case with the technologies envisioned in the shows and movies in the infographic below. In the 80s, it might have been hard to imagine a computer such as the one in War Games taking control over the nuclear future (or lack thereof) for the world. In 1968, the movie 2001: a space odyssey predicted voice commands and artificial intelligence. Who can forget the communicator, tricorders, and the iPad-style interface from the Star Trek series?

This graphic breaks down all of these and more:

50 Years of visionary Sci Fi Computer Interface Design by Glow New Media

14 amazing steampunk keyboards

In recent years, the popularity of SteamPunk seems to have lost its steam a bit in popular culture, but those who still love the mix of modern technological insights with 19th century style and sensibilities hold to the fictional beautification of society as if it were a full-blown movement.

As art forms go, SteamPunk is most often manifested as a part of science fiction literature. It usually involves an alternate timeline where technology and fashion adhered to brass, analog innovations, and steam power to push into the 20th century and beyond with roots in the British Victorian era as well as 19th century America. A notable example was the film Wild Wild West with Will Smith, Kevin Kline, and Kenneth Branagh. In it, futuristic technology met gun slinging action with SteamPunk overtones.

There are plenty of websites and blogs dedicated to the art of SteamPunk, but here we’re most interested in the geek gadget components, so we’ve compiled a gallery of SteamPunk keyboards to spark your imagination. Would you be able to work on keyboards like these?

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Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Geeks win with the Star Wars flash drive Pez dispenser

The Pez is strong with this one.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about true geeks over the years, it’s that they love Star Wars in any form. Our patience was tested to its fullest with the most recent trilogy, but we did not waver for very long. Disney and JJ Abrams give us hope, a new hope, so to speak, but until we go through another round of tests of our trust in the Star Wars universe, we have these flash drive Pez dispensers around to keep us busy.

According to BitRebels:

Another example are these super geeky Star Wars Pez Dispensers that are modded to include a flash drive inside. Etsy artist DHHdesign specializes in creating flash drive repurposed gifts, and these little Pez dispensers are brilliant! I gotta have that R2.

May the candy be with you. Always.

Voted most likely to live long and prosper

A thespian from the time he was 8, Leonard Nimoy would go on to become one of the most iconic characters in science fiction both on television and the big screen. He spent his high school years at Boston’s English High School and acted throughout before attending Boston College. Before becoming the ever-logical Spock, his friends apparently called him Lenny.

Click the image to enlarge.

Two geek abominations

Abomination:

A thing that causes disgust or hatred.
A feeling of hatred.

In the world of geekness, there are few things held at higher levels in fiction than Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. To butcher a couple of the most important lines and the characters normally associated with them is a true abomination. Here’s the other:

Sci-Fi tech that turned out to be pretty accurate

14 amazing steampunk keyboards

Geeks win with the Star Wars flash drive Pez dispenser

Voted most likely to live long and prosper

Two geek abominations

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