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'''Technology in science fiction''' is a crucial aspect of the science fiction genre.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SFE: Technology |url=https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/technology |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=sf-encyclopedia.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Blackford |first=Russell |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3JXnz9x9sO4C&pg=PA796 |title=The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works, and Wonders |date=2005 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-313-32952-4 |editor-last=Westfahl |editor-first=Gary |volume=2 |pages=795 |language=en |chapter=Technology}}</ref> ==History== ===Emergence and influence=== As science fiction emerged during the era of Industrial Revolution, the increased presence of machines in everyday life and their role in shaping of the society was a major influence on the genre.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Stableford |first=Brian M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uefwmdROKTAC&pg=PA515 |title=Science Fact and Science Fiction: An Encyclopedia |date=2006 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-97460-8 |pages=515–516 |language=en}}</ref> It appeared as a major element of the Proto SF, represented by machines and gadgets in works of Jules Verne, George Griffith, H. G. Wells, Edward Bellamy and others.<ref name=":0" /> Technology has been portrayed both in positive and negative ways; in some works it is a solution to the world problems, in others, a means of its destruction.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Such things as robots and space travel became commonplace in the fiction of the 19th century.
Concepts and illustrations of technology in science fiction have been a significant influence in the formation of popular culture images of future technology.<ref name=":0" />
===Innovation and fantasy=== Science fiction has often affected innovation and new technology – for example many rocketry pioneers were inspired by science fiction.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Benson |first=Michael |date=2019-07-20 |title=Opinion {{!}} Science Fiction Sent Man to the Moon |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/20/opinion/sunday/moon-rockets-space-fiction.html |access-date=2022-12-02 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At times, science fiction and fantasy overlap, and use real life or theoretical technology fused with Magic, such as in science fantasy. Examples include Magitek/Magi-tech/Arcanotech (Eberron<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Mat |date=December 16, 2002 |title=Gearing Up for Eberron: Overview |url=http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/eb/20031216a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002190247/http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd%2Feb%2F20031216a |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=archive.wizards.com}}</ref> setting, ''Final Fantasy''), Technomancy (''Babylon 5''), or Mage Punk (''Shadowrun'', for example).<ref name="defining">{{cite web |last1=Bergue |first1=Viviane |title=Defining Science Fantasy |url=https://www.academia.edu/35309234 |website=Fantasy Art and Studies |access-date=5 April 2025 |date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
== See also == * Emerging technologies * Hypothetical technology * Mad scientist * Technobabble * Technology forecasting * Technofantasy
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Science fiction themes Category:Fictional technology