Expected in the 2060s

A large prize. Flinging payloads to space without rockets would change the cost of the whole launch industry.

Who is paid. Firms with cargo to launch pay, and since others could build such a track or gun the gain goes to those who already own launch sites and power.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Pushing craft with a beam of light from a far-off station would let ships fly without carrying their own fuel.

Who is paid. Ship operators pay for the push, and since others could build beam stations the gain goes to those who already own the sites and power plants.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A solo scouting craft serves prospectors, a niche within space mining.

Who is paid. Prospectors and mining firms buy it, and established small-craft builders could all make it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A private pleasure craft for space is a luxury for a few rich owners.

Who is paid. The description names private owners who buy it for themselves, and the yards that already build spacecraft could all make one.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A clear ball enclosing a deck is judged as a vessel, since the description allows either a ship or a habitat; a working vessel founds a transport industry.

Who is paid. Carriers and expedition firms are assumed to buy it, and nothing in the description stops other yards building one, so established builders collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A small craft for short hops is a useful extra for a ship or station, not an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ship and station operators buy it, assumed here, and existing spacecraft builders could all make something so simple.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A working vessel for travel between worlds would found a transport industry of its own.

Who is paid. Carriers and expedition firms buy ships, and many yards could build them once shown how, so established vehicle builders collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A gambling resort in orbit is a costly holiday for those who can afford the trip, a niche within leisure.

Who is paid. Visitors pay, and since another resort could be built the gain is assumed to go to the firms that already run casinos and hotels and own the ships that reach it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A cargo ship, even an old slow one, is the working vessel of trade between worlds, a transport industry of its own.

Who is paid. Shippers and carriers buy and run such ships, and many yards could build them, so established builders and fleet owners collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. It is a job, judged by the work it sells: sifting loose deposits by hand is small-scale digging beside the mines.

Who is paid. Mining firms or buyers of the ore pay for the work, assumed here, and anyone with a pan and the training can do it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A private pleasure craft for space is a luxury for a few rich owners.

Who is paid. The description names private owners who buy it for themselves, and the yards that already build spacecraft could all make one.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A rail line across the Moon serves only those who live and work there, a niche.

Who is paid. No owner is named, so it is assumed a carrier buys it like other surface vehicles and sells seats, and established rail builders could all make it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A forward post at the edge of explored space serves scouts and patrols, an outpost and not a town.

Who is paid. Exploring and guarding a frontier is assumed to be a government's work, and the established station builders would be paid.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. It is a makeshift refuge pieced together from rock and wrecks, assumed here to be made by castaways for themselves and never bought or sold.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller collects.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A cave for storing air and for flying as a pastime is a local amenity for settlers.

Who is paid. Settlers pay to fly there, assumed here, and whoever already owns the cave collects since such caves are few.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Cities afloat in the air of another world would be places for many people to live, a building industry of its own.

Who is paid. A settlement is a public work a government pays for, and the big construction and space firms that already win such contracts would build it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A place for many people to live and work beyond Earth is a building industry of its own.

Who is paid. A settlement is a public work a government pays for, and the big construction and space firms that already win such contracts would build it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Flinging or pushing payloads to space without big rockets would change the cost of the whole launch industry.

Who is paid. Firms with cargo to launch pay, and since others could build such works the gain goes to those who already own launch sites and power.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A fixed way up from the ground to the edge of space would slash the cost of reaching orbit for every firm that uses it.

Who is paid. Shippers are assumed to pay to launch from the top, and since another tower could be built once any had stood, the gain is assumed to go to the large builders and the holders of the few good ground sites.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A starship no sensor can find would be prized above any other warship or courier.

Who is paid. Unlike other ships, hiding from every sensor serves armed forces most, so a government is assumed to pay, and once the field was known other yards could copy it, so established warship builders collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A home in orbit for the elderly, where weighing little eases frail bodies, would serve the few who could afford it.

Who is paid. Residents or their families pay, and since others could build such a home the firms that already run care homes and own the ships collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A harbour in space is needed by the traffic it serves, but the prize lies in the transport and the port is a part of it.

Who is paid. Carriers pay to use it, and since another port could be built the gain goes to those who already hold the good berths and the fleets that call there.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A tiny probe sent to another star brings back knowledge, with nothing to sell from it.

Who is paid. Nobody could be charged for such a mission, so a government pays the probe builders that already hold such contracts.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

No prize. It is a word for time spent asleep in transit, not a product; the sleep itself is judged elsewhere.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller collects.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A vehicle for crossing another world serves a few expeditions, a niche.

Who is paid. No user is named, so it is assumed that firms working on other worlds buy it like other working gear, and established vehicle builders could all make it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. Thinking machines that make more of themselves would multiply mental work without limit and change how most people work.

Who is paid. Firms pay for the work done, and I assume whoever owns the first such machines also owns what they go on to build, which a latecomer cannot catch up with.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Simulated surroundings that feel real would be an entertainment and training industry of its own.

Who is paid. People pay for it as they pay for games and films, and since the machinery can be copied the owners of the popular worlds and stories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A living body worn by a machine mind serves a narrow use, letting a machine go among people as one of them.

Who is paid. I assume the few owners of machine minds would pay, and once one such body had been grown and linked others could learn to do the same, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. This is a hidden society of machine minds acting for itself, and not a product anyone can buy or use.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller keeps anything.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Storing data atom by atom would shrink the cost of keeping records for every firm that holds them.

Who is paid. Firms that store data buy it, the way of making it is assumed to be copied in time, and those who already own the costly factories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Hiding a message in a bat or bird is a tool for spies and smugglers.

Who is paid. Assuming spy services are the buyers, a government pays, the story treats it as a common device others could make, and the firms that already supply such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A paper-thin pad that stores and shows information is the handheld screen at the centre of personal devices, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. People buy it for themselves, the design can be copied, and the electronics firms with the factories and brands collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A machine that builds its own crew of helper machines could take over whole jobs, judged as large and not vast because it builds helpers and not copies of itself.

Who is paid. Firms buy it for their work, and since the design can be copied the large manufacturers with factories and service networks collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A house cat partly rebuilt with machine parts is judged as a pet kept alive or improved, a niche.

Who is paid. Pet owners pay, and once the work is shown many workshops and animal doctors could do it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. The description gives it police work, so it is judged as a machine detective that would change the cost of policing, though a robot no one can tell from a person could plainly do far more.

Who is paid. Governments pay, and the firms that already supply police and armies would build it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. Machines that change themselves over generations with nobody in charge are a wild force in the story, not a product.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller keeps anything.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A mass of minute machines that work together with no controller is judged as a tool under its owner's direction, which the story doubts, and would open new kinds of work.

Who is paid. Firms buy them for their work, and as nothing says they cannot be copied the makers with precision factories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A repair robot with an extremely fine touch could do delicate assembly and mending across many trades.

Who is paid. Firms buy it for fine work, and as others could copy the branching design the established machine makers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A small branching-armed helper for each astronaut serves very few users.

Who is paid. Space agencies pay for their crews, and the firms that already build their equipment would supply it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Tiny modules that link into a robot of any shape would let one stock of parts do many jobs, changing how machines are built.

Who is paid. Firms buy them for their work, and as nothing says they cannot be copied the makers with precision factories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Carrying a child outside the body would spare mothers the risks of pregnancy and open parenthood to people who cannot carry a child.

Who is paid. Would-be parents would pay, and other laboratories could copy the chamber once it worked, so established fertility clinics collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Growing enhanced people would be worth an industry if allowed; assumed families are the buyers.

Who is paid. Families pay, and established fertility clinics collect because the tank could be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Keeping a removed brain alive in transit serves a very rare kind of operation.

Who is paid. Hospitals would buy it, and makers of organ transport equipment could build it, so those firms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A hardier living material could serve many trades that grow or use living matter.

Who is paid. I assumed firms buy it as a working material; a living substance can be grown on from a sample, so established makers of biological supplies collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. The name is of the person, so the thing judged is the therapy that enlarges the front of the brain, which I assumed sharpens the mind and so would be wanted by a great many people.

Who is paid. People would pay for it themselves, and I assumed other clinics could learn the therapy, so established clinics collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. A longer life meets about the deepest need there is, and nearly everyone alive would want it.

Who is paid. People would buy it for themselves, and I assumed it is protected like a new medicine, so its maker keeps much of the gain.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. Machines in the blood that clear out germs would spare nearly everyone from infectious illness.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, mostly through insurers or health services, and unlike a single protected medicine a machine can be built another way by rivals, so established drug and device makers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. The name is of the person, so the thing judged is the regrowing of a dead person from kept cells, which many bereaved families would pay dearly for.

Who is paid. I assumed families pay and that other laboratories could learn the method once it worked, so established fertility and tissue laboratories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Changing your face at will would be worth a large part of the beauty trade.

Who is paid. People pay, and established cosmetic clinics and brands collect since the method can be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Body cells that can think and talk to each other would be a new kind of medicine and of computing, if they stayed under control.

Who is paid. I assumed drug firms and laboratories buy them; a living cell multiplies, so anyone with a sample could grow more, and established drug makers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. The name is of the person, so the thing judged is the treatment that stretches life, and holding off old age is about the deepest need there is.

Who is paid. People would buy it for themselves, and I assumed the treatments are new medicines, which are protected from copying for a long while, so their maker keeps much of the gain.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Skin that shows pictures and words is a novelty for a healthy body, not a need.

Who is paid. People would pay to have it done, and several clinics and device makers could offer it, so established ones collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Working at crushing depths serves a few deep-sea trades.

Who is paid. Firms working on the sea floor would buy it for their crews, and makers of diving gear could build it, so those firms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Holding a patient still without drugs is a handy tool for hospitals.

Who is paid. Hospitals pay, and makers of medical equipment collect since the device can be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Clearing germs and other unwanted matter from inside a person with light would replace many medicines and change how infection is treated.

Who is paid. I assumed hospitals and border posts buy the equipment; other makers could copy it once it worked, so established medical equipment firms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Keeping your own thoughts to play back later is a notebook that needs no writing, a convenience.

Who is paid. The user records their own thoughts, so people would buy it for themselves, and many makers could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Showing others what you remember or picture is a new kind of camera, a pleasure and a keepsake rather than a need.

Who is paid. Unlike the probes used on unwilling subjects, I assumed this headset is worn by a willing person to show their own recollections, so ordinary people would buy it, and once one maker had it others could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Removing chosen memories would be worth an industry; here the aim is room for fresh learning rather than easing pain, which the story takes on trust.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, the method could be copied once known, and the clinics and medicine firms already trusted with such care would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Passing thoughts from mind to mind faster is a new way to talk, and speech and telephones already do the job for nearly everyone.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would buy it for themselves, and once one maker had it others could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Reshaping character and temperament on request would treat troubles that no medicine now reaches.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, the drug could be copied, and the hospitals and medicine firms already doing such work would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Stories lived as experience would rival film and games as popular leisure, as the story promises.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would pay for each experience, the machine could be copied, and the studios that own the stories and the names people know would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. This is the venue rather than the machine, but it sells the same thing: dreamed adventures that rival film as popular leisure.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would pay for each experience, the machine could be copied, and the studios that own the stories and the names people know would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Stories lived as experience would rival film and games as popular leisure, as the story promises.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would pay for each experience, the machine could be copied, and the studios that own the stories and the names people know would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Sorting the memories of a very long life only matters to people who live that long, a niche unless long life comes too.

Who is paid. The long-lived would pay for it themselves, and it is a method any trained person could offer, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. An added machine brain working beside the natural one would be an industry of its own, though the description does not say what the extra brain does.

Who is paid. People would buy it for themselves, and since the implant could be copied the firms that already run the networks and do the surgery would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Removing chosen memories would treat trauma and grief for a great many people, worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, the method could be copied once known, and the clinics and medicine firms already trusted with such care would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. Putting knowledge straight into the brain would replace years of schooling and training for most people.

Who is paid. Families and learners would pay for it themselves, and once one firm had built the gear others could copy it and many could write the lessons, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. Putting knowledge straight into the brain would replace years of schooling and training for most people.

Who is paid. Families and learners would pay for it themselves, and once one firm had built the gear others could copy it and many could write the lessons, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Having chosen dreams placed in your sleep would be an entertainment industry of its own.

Who is paid. Customers would pay for each dream, and since the method could be copied the owners of the stories and of the venues people already visit would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. A full night's rest in a short session would hand nearly everyone hours of extra waking life each day.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would buy it for themselves, and once one firm had built it others could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Understanding any speaker without learning the language would remove a cost from trade, travel and work everywhere.

Who is paid. Travellers and firms alike would buy it, and I assumed that once thought can be read at all a translator is easy to copy, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Drawing true answers straight from a brain would reshape police work, courts and spying.

Who is paid. It is done to a subject, so though banned in the story it is judged as bought by a state: the state would pay for it as an interrogation tool, and since it could be copied the firms that already supply police and security services would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. An instrument that plays sights and feelings into the brain would found a new kind of show.

Who is paid. Audiences would pay to attend or own it, and since the instrument could be copied the known performers and the halls and channels that carry them would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Very few people have an urge to kill and seek a cure for it, so this is a niche.

Who is paid. It is sold as a home machine, so households pay, and many makers could copy it; it is small because the cure is so narrow, unlike a machine for common troubles.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A mechanical body for a living brain would be an industry of its own for the dying and the badly injured.

Who is paid. People would pay to go on living this way, and the hospitals and makers of bodies that already have the surgeons and workshops would collect, since the method itself can be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. It is done to a person without their say, to hurt them, break their mind or override their will or body, which no one may lawfully buy or use.

Who is paid. Assuming it is outlawed for everyone, governments and employers included, nothing is sold.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A cure for one unhappy love is a comfort for a few.

Who is paid. The lovesick would pay for it themselves, and once the machine worked others could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A therapist who can enter and shape dreams could treat troubles of the mind that talk alone does not reach.

Who is paid. Clinics and therapists would buy the machine, and the makers of medical equipment who already sell to them could copy it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Removing chosen memories would treat trauma and grief for a great many people, worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, the method could be copied once known, and the clinics and medicine firms already trusted with such care would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. It is done to a person without their say, to hurt them, break their mind or override their will or body, which no one may lawfully buy or use.

Who is paid. Assuming it is outlawed for everyone, governments and employers included, nothing is sold.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A tool that reads the thoughts of whoever it is pointed at would change how crimes are solved and secrets are kept.

Who is paid. The holder reads another person, so I judged it as a probe and assumed police and spy services are the main buyers, though private buyers would want it too; a handheld tool could be copied, so the firms that already supply those services would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A link from the nerves into made-up worlds would do what screens and games do now but far more fully, worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ordinary people would pay for the implant and the service, and the firms that already make devices and run networks could copy it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Triggering pleasure in someone else from afar is a way of swaying or taming a few people, not a treat they chose.

Who is paid. It is aimed at another person, so I judge it as a tool of control; though banned in the story a state would buy it, and its usual suppliers would collect because it could be copied.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Feeling another person's sensations as your own would be an entertainment industry of its own.

Who is paid. People would buy it for themselves, and since the method could be copied the owners of the stories, stars and channels people already follow would collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Sharper concentration would lift the work of anyone who uses their head; the story bans it because it is forced on people, but I judged it as if taken by choice.

Who is paid. I assumed workers and students take it by choice, and a microbe can be grown by anyone once it exists, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A compact nuclear engine would free vehicles from fuel stops and change the running costs of transport.

Who is paid. Vehicle and ship builders buy it, but only the few firms a government trusts with nuclear fuel could make it, so those permit holders keep the gain.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A flapping aircraft for the thin air of another planet serves only the few people living there.

Who is paid. Settlements and their suppliers buy it, and any aircraft workshop there could copy it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A torch that never needs new batteries is a convenience, and being only a torch it is worth less than the other small atomic sources.

Who is paid. People buy it as they would any torch, and assuming the tiny source is sold as freely as the gadget, any workshop could make it, so no seller keeps much.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A sun-like lamp for one spinning space habitat is a niche, however vital to those inside.

Who is paid. Whoever funds the habitat pays, assumed here to be a government, and the firms that already build such plants collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A vast prize. A cheap compact cell holding an enormous store of energy would change how nearly everything is powered and moved.

Who is paid. Firms of every kind buy it, assumed here to be the largest buyers, and in the story the maker keeps the method secret so nobody can copy it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Warming one chosen patch of ground from orbit helps only the few people on that patch.

Who is paid. A government pays because the warmth cannot be charged for one by one, and whoever built the satellites controls them.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A rod that holds light inside has no use named, so I assumed it serves as a store of light or a curiosity.

Who is paid. Instrument and lighting makers might buy it, and nothing in the description stops many glass firms making it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A suit that makes its wearer invisible would be prized by every army and spy service.

Who is paid. Governments pay, assuming the public may not buy it, and the firms that already hold military supply contracts make it.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. An extremely thin, light and strong filament would change the cost of cables, bridges, aircraft and lifting things to space.

Who is paid. Builders and vehicle makers buy it, and once the method is known the big materials firms with plants and customers make it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A thread far stronger than steel for its weight would change the cost of cables, bridges, aircraft and lifting things to space.

Who is paid. Builders and vehicle makers buy it, and once the method is known the big materials firms with plants and customers make it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A thread with enormous pulling strength would change the cost of cables, bridges, aircraft and lifting things to space.

Who is paid. Builders and vehicle makers buy it, and once the method is known the big materials firms with plants and customers make it and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Solvents that dissolve only chosen substances would change mining, recycling and chemical making.

Who is paid. Industrial firms buy them, and once the method is known the big chemical firms with plants and customers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Pulling any chosen compound out of a fluid in pure form would change the cost of clean water, chemicals and mining.

Who is paid. Chemical, water and mining firms buy it, and once it can be copied the makers of process equipment who already supply them collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Self-propelled and guided explosives became the main heavy weapon of modern forces, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Armies pay, and since the idea is easy to copy once shown, the arms firms that already hold the supply contracts and factories collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Assuming a soldier carries it, it does much the same job as a gun, so the gain over a gun is modest.

Who is paid. Armies buy it with public money, and since rival makers can copy it the established arms suppliers with standing army contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. Soldiers posted in space are people and not a thing anyone builds and sells, unlike the fleets and machines judged elsewhere.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold as such, since its ships, suits and arms are bought and counted as separate things, so there is no payer and no seller.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Beams that clear rocks from a ship's path are a safety fitting, needed only once many ships fly fast through space.

Who is paid. Assuming most ships are run by carriers, they pay, and the shipbuilders who fit out the craft would supply the beams and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A beam weapon carried in the hand does much the same job as a gun, so the gain over a gun is modest.

Who is paid. Armies buy it with public money, and since rival makers can copy it the established arms suppliers with standing army contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A weapon that hunts one named person serves a narrow trade in killing chosen targets.

Who is paid. Secret services pay, and being strange does not make it hard to copy, so once one is built the arms makers that already supply them can make it too and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A weapon that hunts one named person serves a narrow trade in killing chosen targets.

Who is paid. Secret services pay, and being strange does not make it hard to copy, so once one is built the arms makers that already supply them can make it too and collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Machines that find and attack targets by themselves would change how armies and police forces are staffed and equipped.

Who is paid. Governments pay, and since the parts are widely made and the designs easy to copy, the arms firms with the standing contracts collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Pulling the truth from a mind would change questioning, courts and spying, as the other mind readers would.

Who is paid. Spy and police services pay, and once made it can be copied, so the firms already supplying such services collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. Finding any chosen person wherever they are would change police work, rescue and manhunts enough to be an industry.

Who is paid. Police and security services pay, and once shown to work others could build it, so existing police suppliers collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A large prize. A crop that grows meat would cut the cost of meat across the whole trade.

Who is paid. Growers buy the plants, and since living stock multiplies once any of it is sold, no originator can hold it, so the seed houses and nurseries that already hold stock, land and sales channels collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Tiny trees that mature in days are an ornament; too small for timber, so I assumed they are bought for looks.

Who is paid. People buy them for the home or garden, and since living stock multiplies once any of it is sold, no originator can hold it, so the nurseries and garden shops that already hold stock and shelves collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A living chair that shapes itself to the sitter is a comfort and a curiosity.

Who is paid. People buy it for the home, and since living stock multiplies once any of it is sold, no originator can hold it, so the breeders and furnishing shops that already hold stock and showrooms collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Breathing underwater without tanks would delight divers, but divers are a niche.

Who is paid. Divers buy it for themselves, and I assume that once the material that draws air from water is known, other gear makers could make it too.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. The story's world bans it, so it is a hazard nobody may lawfully buy or plant.

Who is paid. Nothing is lawfully sold, so nobody pays and no seller keeps anything.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

A small prize. Leaves that serve as tissues replace a cheap paper product.

Who is paid. People buy it for the home or garden, and since living stock multiplies once any of it is sold, no originator can hold it, so the nurseries and garden shops that already hold stock and shelves collect.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is not very sure of this one.

No prize. A labour union is an organisation of workers, not a product.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller keeps anything.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.

No prize. This is a name for a kind of person, not a thing that can be built or sold.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so nobody pays and no seller keeps anything.

A model's judgement, not a reading, of the idea as if it worked the way its story promises. The model is fairly sure of this one.