Imagined in the 1890s

A small prize. A ground beacon for ships in space is a minor aid to navigation.

Who is paid. A beacon serves all ships and none can be charged, so a government pays, and a bright light is something many firms could build.

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 necessary fitting on any crewed craft, but only a part of the ship.

Who is paid. Ship operators pay for it within the craft, and shipbuilders make it themselves since nothing stops others copying 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. 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 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 small prize. It adds to knowledge of the sky but yields nothing to sell, so its worth is limited to science.

Who is paid. Nobody could be charged for what it learns, so a government pays the instrument and 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 term for the planet a people came from, not a product.

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 large prize. A working ship that carries people and cargo between worlds is the base of a whole transport industry.

Who is paid. Carriers and other firms working in space buy ships, and since a second yard could build the same craft the established shipbuilders 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. Listening to signals from the Sun adds to knowledge, with nothing to sell from it.

Who is paid. Nobody could be charged for the findings, so a government pays the instrument and 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 not very sure of this one.

A small prize. A suit that keeps a person alive in vacuum is vital to its wearer but serves only the few who work in space.

Who is paid. Space operators buy suits for their crews, and the few firms that already make such gear supply them since the design 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. Metal and other materials from space rocks would be an industry of its own and could change the cost of raw materials.

Who is paid. Factories and builders buy the output, and since mining methods are easy to copy the firms that already own ships and refineries 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 keeps a spacewalker attached to the ship, a simple safety item for a few workers.

Who is paid. Space operators buy it for crews, and it is simple hardware that many workshops could make, 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.

No prize. It is a way of working outside a ship, done with the suit and tether judged elsewhere, not a product of its own.

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. Messages to beings only believed to live on other planets satisfy curiosity and earn nothing unless someone answers.

Who is paid. Nobody could be charged for it one by one, so a government pays, and the observatories and builders that already hold such 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.

A small prize. Radio between people in sealed suits is essential to the few who work in such suits and of no use to anyone else.

Who is paid. Assuming the suits are worn by space crews and the like, a government pays, and the firms that already supply suits and radios to such programmes collect because the radio is easy to copy.

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 constant stream of news and persuasion aimed at the public is broadcasting, which is an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Advertisers and political interests pay to reach the crowd, the description names no scarce channels and the loudspeakers are easy to copy, so the news firms that already own the audience and the places the speakers stand 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. Watching stored films whenever you choose is home entertainment, an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Households buy the player and the films, players are easy to copy, and the studios that own the films 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 personal screen for watching films and pictures anywhere is worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it; many firms can make the device, so those who already own the films and the ways to deliver them 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 personal screen for watching films and pictures anywhere is worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it; many firms can make the device, so those who already own the films and the ways to deliver them 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 lifelike companion made to suit its owner would be worth an industry of its own, though it does not meet a basic need for most.

Who is paid. People buy it for themselves, and as many could make such machines the firms with factories and well-liked brands 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. Digging and hauling with no crew would cut the cost of mining and earthworks.

Who is paid. Mining and building firms buy them, and the heavy-equipment makers who already supply those firms can copy the idea 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. Fibres that pull like muscle would be a new kind of motor for machines of many sorts, changing how they are built.

Who is paid. Machine builders buy the fibres, and as others could learn to make them the established makers of motors and machine parts 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. Giving machines the supple movement of animals is a way of building, valued only as part of the machines made with it.

Who is paid. Machine buyers pay for it in the price, and any maker can design this way, so nothing more is kept for 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 many-limbed machine worked as if it were the driver's own body is a skilled tool for handling and lifting, but still a tool that needs its operator.

Who is paid. Firms buy it for their own work, and such limbs and controls are easy for many makers to copy.

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. Bendable limbs that bear weight and grip are a useful working part of a machine, a feature.

Who is paid. Firms pay for them within the price of the machine, and such limbs are easy for many makers to copy.

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 towering walking war machine would be a main weapon of an army, worth an arms industry of its own.

Who is paid. Governments buy it for their armies, and the arms makers that already hold such 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. A robot that dresses, attends and waits on its owner is a full personal servant, worth an industry of its own, though it serves the home alone and not work at large.

Who is paid. Families buy it like any large appliance, and it is easy enough to copy that the appliance makers with factories, shops and trusted brands 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. An appliance that cooks whole meals at home takes over a daily chore, a narrower job than a full servant does.

Who is paid. Families buy it, and since it can be copied the kitchen-appliance makers with factories, shops 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 fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. A machine that takes over housework would be worth an industry of its own, though it serves the home alone and not work at large.

Who is paid. Families buy it like any large appliance, and it is easy enough to copy that the appliance makers with factories, shops and trusted brands 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.

No prize. The description gives the remade animals no use that a buyer would pay for, unlike made creatures bred for work or as servants, so there is nothing to price.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold, so 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 large prize. Putting people safely into long dormancy would make very long journeys possible and give hospitals time to treat the gravely ill.

Who is paid. I assumed carriers and hospitals buy it; the method could be copied once known, so the firms that already run ships and hospitals 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. This is a daily routine of naps and waking, not a thing that can be made and 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.

A large prize. A craft that needs no runway can reach rooftops, ships and wild country, which is worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Rescue services, armies and offshore firms buy it, and the established aircraft builders collect because the design can be copied but the factories and safety approval cannot quickly be had.

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. Cars that run on electric motors change the fuel and upkeep costs of the whole car industry, though they make the same trips.

Who is paid. Drivers buy them, and electric motors and batteries can be had by any maker, so the firms with factories, dealers 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 fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Trains pushed along by magnets run fast and clean, which changes the cost of travel by rail.

Who is paid. Governments pay for a public way of this size, and the large builders that already hold such 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.

A small prize. A hull that rides above the water is faster on short crossings but costly on large ships, so it stays a niche.

Who is paid. Ferry operators buy it, and many boat yards can build 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 small prize. Saving the energy of a climb for the way down cuts fuel use a little, which is a feature.

Who is paid. Owners pay for it through the price of the vehicle, and the established vehicle makers fit 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. Fast capsules in sealed tubes would rival trains and aircraft on their routes, which changes the cost of travel between cities; this one runs under the ocean.

Who is paid. Governments pay for a public way of this size, and the large builders that already hold such 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.

A large prize. A bicycle with a motor makes cheap personal travel easy for many people who would not pedal far, which is worth an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Riders buy it, and many small factories can bolt a motor and battery to a frame, 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 small prize. A lighter-than-air craft is slow and carries little beside aircraft and trains, so it stays a niche; legs let this one cross rough ground.

Who is paid. Operators buy it, and airships are simple enough for many builders to make, 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. Flying on muscle alone is a sport for the fit, not a way of getting about.

Who is paid. Hobbyists buy it, and any maker of light frames and wings could build 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. Powered flight for passengers is an industry of its own that shrank the time between distant cities.

Who is paid. Airlines buy the machines, and since flight itself was quickly copied, the few builders with the factories and safety approval 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 street that carries its riders would replace buses and cars on its route, which changes the cost of getting about a city.

Who is paid. Governments pay for a public way of this size, and the large builders that already hold such 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.

A small prize. A small windmill on a house adds some power but is not promised to run the whole home, unlike the home solar plant.

Who is paid. Households buy it for themselves, and any workshop can make one 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 small prize. Seeing single atoms is prized by laboratories, but few buyers need such an instrument.

Who is paid. Laboratories and chip makers buy it, and the few established makers of fine instruments have the skill and the customers.

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. Unlike man-made cloth in general, this replaces one costly fabric, which is still worth an industry.

Who is paid. People pay for it in the clothes they buy, and so many mills can make such fibre that buyers keep nearly all the gain.

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. The description gives the mineral no use, so I assumed it is mined as a modest source of a useful gas.

Who is paid. Industrial users would buy what is mined, and unlike the scarce gem and the wonder ore nothing here is said to be rare or without substitute, so the many mining firms that own such ground would sell it and none could hold buyers to one source.

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. Measuring a surface by machine saves workshop time, which is a convenience.

Who is paid. Factories and tailors buy it, and many instrument makers can build such a gauge, 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. Smooth, long-lasting roads would cut the cost of moving people and goods everywhere.

Who is paid. Governments pay for roads, and the paving firms that already hold road contracts can all lay 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. Clothes cut by machine to fit each body would change the clothing trade's costs and waste.

Who is paid. People buy the clothes, and the machines can be copied, so clothing brands and shops with customers 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 very strong aluminium alloy would cut the weight and cost of vehicles and structures.

Who is paid. Vehicle and building firms buy it, and a metal recipe gets copied, so the established metal makers with furnaces 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 fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Striking an enemy from the air changed how wars are fought and supports a whole industry of warplanes and their arms.

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 large prize. Judged on the promise of ruling a war from the air, which real airships never delivered, a fighting aircraft fleet is among the biggest things a state buys.

Who is paid. Armies pay, and since the designs can be copied, the builders that already own the works and hold the army's supply 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. A weapon that can end a war or prevent one is worth a great deal to the state that holds it.

Who is paid. Only governments pay for it, and only the handful of builders a state allows near the material may 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 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 large prize. Judged as if it worked, a shell that passes through any barrier leaves no armour or shelter able to protect, a wider use than a weapon made only against buried shelters.

Who is paid. Armies buy it with public money, and assuming rival makers learn to 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.

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.

No prize. Spreading disease on purpose is a hazard to everyone and no one may lawfully buy it.

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. It is a poison meant to kill or fell people in bulk, which no one may lawfully buy.

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. Judged as if it worked, a weapon that destroys whatever it strikes leaves no armour, wall or hull able to protect, which would change how wars are fought.

Who is paid. Armies buy it with public money, and assuming rival makers learn to 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.

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.

A large prize. Striking an enemy from the air changed how wars are fought and supports a whole industry of warplanes and their arms.

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. Catching speeders without an officer saves some police labour but is a narrow tool.

Who is paid. Road authorities pay, and the cameras are easy to copy, so firms that already hold traffic supply 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. Watching a place from afar without being there became the basis of a whole security camera industry.

Who is paid. Firms and public bodies buy cameras to guard their sites, and so many makers can build them that 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. Rain on demand would be worth a great deal to farming and water supply in dry regions, though it only brings down water that is already in the sky.

Who is paid. Rain falls on everyone below, so I assumed governments pay, and spraying clouds is simple enough that many operators could do 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. This is a small convenience or novelty in what people drink.

Who is paid. Households buy it, and since the recipe is easy to copy the drink brands that already own shelf space 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.

No prize. A plant that overruns and remakes every landscape it reaches is a hazard, and it is banned.

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

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 vast prize. Machines taking over the heavy work of farming freed most people from the land, which changed how most people work.

Who is paid. Farmers buy the machines, and they are easy to copy, so the makers with factories, dealers 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 fairly sure of this one.

A large prize. Judged as if it worked, a capsule that stands in for a whole day of meals would be an industry of its own and would change how armies, travellers and the hungry are fed, though I assumed most people would still eat ordinary meals for pleasure.

Who is paid. Households buy it, and I assumed the recipe can be copied once it is known, so the food and pharmacy brands with shop space 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 large settlement on the seabed would open new living space, though few would need to live there.

Who is paid. Unlike a town inside a building on ordinary land, the dome and seabed works shelter everyone at once and no resident could be charged singly for them, so I assumed a government pays and the big building firms that already hold such 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.

A small prize. A door that opens itself is a convenience for shops and busy buildings.

Who is paid. Shops and building owners buy it, and the firms that already fit and service doors in buildings collect, since the mechanism is easy to copy.

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 whole town inside a building is a new way of housing and serving a community.

Who is paid. Residents buy or lease the homes and shops inside, as they would in any large development, and since others could put up such a structure the developers and landowners who already hold the sites 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. Reaching other times would be worth an industry in study, salvage and statecraft, though few people would need it day to day.

Who is paid. I assume a state would keep for itself a machine that can alter history, so a government pays and its established contractors build it, since others could copy it once shown.

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. Making one person unseen is useful to spies and soldiers and to few honest buyers.

Who is paid. I assume the public would be barred from it, so spy services and armies pay and their usual suppliers provide the treatment.

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. Seeing deep into solid ground would change the cost of finding ore, oil and water.

Who is paid. Mining and drilling firms would buy it, and the established makers of survey equipment 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 fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A place for a chosen death would serve few people, so it is a niche.

Who is paid. The state runs it and pays, and the means are simple enough that any supplier could provide them.

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. A rule about how to treat other worlds and their peoples is law or guidance, 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 describes a whole society that depends on networks, not one thing that can be 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.