Science fiction shows us bizarre elements that are not likely to happen in real life. But what if they were ahead of their time? Even their quirkiness in depicting space and time shows that humanity’s creativity can go as far as it would allow.

The sky’s the limit when creating and experiencing science fiction. From colorful and icky aliens to shiny, shimmering bodysuits and bizarre world-building, these visual elements are more of man’s what-ifs with the ever mysterious outer space. An array of technologies is also featured in every sci-fi media, from the famous light sabers to incredibly futuristic space crafts, which are widely used throughout any sci-fi story. In case you haven’t noticed, some of the devices featured in sci-fi films are leading the forefront of modern technology. These are the following gadgets and gizmos that were birthed from the futuristic world of science fiction. 

1 – Mobile Phones

There’s almost no one on this earth who doesn’t own a phone. From children to the elderly, it has come a long way from being a seasonal luxury to a fundamental and essential means of communicating wherever you are. Mobile phones have various designs, features, functions, and sizes. From its bulky ancestor, the Motorola DynaTAC weighed 2.4lbs. Its operations were also limited since the device only lasted 35 minutes of talking time. When it was invented in 1973, the machine was expensive, making it a luxury item. Its origin was rumored to be from the movie Star Trek, where Captain Kirk used a handheld device to communicate in space. However, that rumor was dispelled by the creator when he said that the actual origin of the mobile phone was from a comic strip called Dick Tracy. 

2 – Universal Translator

This technological feature appeared in Star Trek, where Captain Kirk and Spock used a device that would translate a different language from any alien they come across in their space journey. The idea that there’s a device capable of breaking down language barriers has dramatically revolutionized the way we communicate. Now, tech companies are incorporating instantaneous language translation in every software. The accurate, real-time translation may seem like a faraway dream, but it’s not so impossible to attain.

3 – Bionic Limbs

No one could’ve imagined that attaching synthetic arms and legs would be possible, but it first was in science fiction movies. To be clear, the use of prosthetics has been around for a long time, but the idea of evolving the aesthetic look didn’t cross anyone’s minds had it not been for Star Wars, which became a catalyst for bionic prosthetics. It was first seen in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back,” where Luke Skywalker, after Darth Vader chopped off his arms, got a replacement bionic arm from his sister. It may not physically resemble an accurate arm, but it’s got additional features and can still function like a normal hand.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is making efforts to develop prosthetic limbs that have ultrasonic sensors. In their version, the prosthetic limbs use machine learning and ultrasound signals for finger-to-finger detection. 

4 – Space Stations

In the movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey, there is a structure floating around the Low-Earth orbit called the Space Station V. That is where astronauts are stationed while bouncing around in microgravity. In the sci-fi movie, the Space Station V became a pit stop for anyone traveling to the moon and other space destinations. If you go ahead and check out the book ‘Moon Luck’ by Scott Harral, you might often encounter parts that mention the space station a lot. 

This reflects heavily on the way the present International Space Station operates. The ISS was heavily inspired by Space Station V! The ISS can accommodate six astronauts at a time and has more technological advancement than the SSV. The ISS has become a fundamental part of microgravity research since its conception in 1998 up until today.