Imagined in the 2010s

A large prize. Suspending and preserving the body would make very long voyages possible and, assumed here, would matter to medicine too.

Who is paid. Carriers and hospitals would pay, and nothing in the description stops others making it once it is shown to work, so the firms that already supply 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.

A small prize. Making breathable air from what another planet offers is essential to a camp there, but it is a piece of life support and not an industry of its own.

Who is paid. No user is named, so it is assumed that expedition firms buy it like other working gear, and established makers of life support could all 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 small prize. Cushioning for troops landing at speed serves only armed forces.

Who is paid. The armed forces pay, and the contractors that already supply their landing gear would 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 suit that keeps a person alive in vacuum or thin air 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.

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 small prize. Judged as a working weapon rather than as the harm it does, software that damages an enemy's computers is a narrow tool of attack.

Who is paid. Those it harms pay nothing, so I assume a government buys it as a weapon, and since such software is easy to write the firms that already supply states with arms 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. Judged as a working weapon rather than as the harm it does, harmful code hidden in genetic material is a narrow tool of attack.

Who is paid. Those it harms pay nothing, so I assume a government buys it as a weapon, and since such code can be written by others the firms that already supply states with arms 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 computer on the forearm is another shape of the one people already carry, so it is a convenience.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and since it is easy to copy, the firms that already own gadget factories and well-known names 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 screen as thin and bendable as paper could replace much printing and most rigid screens.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it inside the things they own; once shown it can be copied, so the firms with the big screen 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. Writing a book into genetic code is a curiosity beside ordinary storage.

Who is paid. Assuming archives and publishers pay for it as long-term storage, many laboratories can write genetic code, 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. Keeping songs inside a living thing's genes is a curiosity beside ordinary storage.

Who is paid. Assuming archives and labels pay for it as long-term storage, many laboratories can write genetic code, 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. Glowing ornament on the skin is a fashion item.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it; once shown many firms 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 fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A hand with a different tool on each finger is a handy fitting for a few kinds of work.

Who is paid. Firms are assumed to buy it for their workers, and such a hand is 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. A carrier that releases smaller flyers is support for a fleet, assumed here to be an armed force's fleet as in the story.

Who is paid. Armed forces pay, and the aircraft makers that already hold their 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 small prize. A swimming robot steered from afar is a handy tool for looking under water, a niche.

Who is paid. Survey and repair firms buy it, and many makers could build 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 vast prize. A humanlike robot that takes over a worker's role in full could do most kinds of human work, which would change how most people work.

Who is paid. Firms buy them as labour, and since many could build such bodies once shown how, the large manufacturers with factories and service networks collect what is left.

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. The name is of the person, so the thing judged is the fitting of engineered and artificial parts to the body, which taken together covers replacement eyes, limbs and organs and is an industry of its own.

Who is paid. Patients would pay, mostly through insurers or health services, and other firms could copy the parts, so established implant makers and the hospitals that fit 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. An implant that improves how the body uses food would be wanted by a great many people.

Who is paid. Patients pay, and makers of medical implants collect since rivals could build the same device.

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 mesh joining the mind to computers would be an industry of its own.

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. Making a long sentence pass in a short while would cut much of what prisons cost.

Who is paid. The state pays for its punishments, and the firms that already build and run prisons would collect since the method 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. This names a person, but the surgery behind it, wiring a pilot to an undersea machine, is a better set of controls where hand controls already do the job.

Who is paid. Firms that run the machines would buy it, and once one maker had the link 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 vast prize. I took the faster learning to be of the same kind as the knowledge-loading helmets, which would replace years of schooling 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 small prize. Keeping goods in parked cars near buyers would speed some deliveries, but shops and depots already sit close to most people.

Who is paid. Retailers pay for it, and the delivery firms that already run the networks and hold the customers collect because the idea 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 not very sure of this one.

No prize. It is a wasteland of runaway tiny machines, a hazard and not a product.

Who is paid. Nothing is sold; people avoid 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 package that builds a whole vehicle from local materials would upset vehicle making and shipping wherever a finished vehicle is costly to deliver, but it makes vehicles only.

Who is paid. The description names no buyer, so I assumed the buyers are firms working far from any factory, such as mines, expeditions and settlements, because building from local raw resources matters most where a finished vehicle cannot easily be brought; and unlike the pattern machine aboard ships a seed is used up in building and is not said to make more seeds, so vehicle firms with designs 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 small prize. Much taller towers add floor space in a few crowded cities without changing what building costs.

Who is paid. Developers pay for them, and the firms that already own city land and do big construction 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. A tool that drains a car battery to stop it is a niche device.

Who is paid. Assuming police buy it to stop cars, it is simple to copy and the suppliers police already use 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 without a soldier at risk would change how armies fight.

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 small prize. A tool that finds and seizes other people's implants is a covert weapon wanted by a few services, and a crime in anyone else's hands.

Who is paid. Assuming a spy or police service may buy what the public may not, it pays, and since others could build the tool the firms already trusted with secret supply work 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. Clothing that confuses camera software is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and such wear is easy for any maker 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 fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. A living insect turned into a watcher is a niche spy tool, since small flying machines do the same job more reliably.

Who is paid. Spy services pay, and the few firms already trusted with secret supply work collect because others could copy the method.

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 state store of records on every citizen changes the cost of policing and tax work across a whole country.

Who is paid. The state pays, and data stores are easy to build, so the firms already running government computer systems 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 chip that identifies and tracks every carrier would replace papers and cards and reshape policing across a country.

Who is paid. The state pays to chip its people, and the chips are easy to copy, so firms already making identity documents 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. Software that tracks where every resident should be gives a state a new kind of control over a whole population.

Who is paid. The state pays, and the firms that already build and run its computer and records systems collect, since others could build the same.

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. Glasses that name the people you see are a convenience for most wearers and a work tool for a few.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy them, and since pictures of faces can be gathered by many, the firms that already hold large stores of named pictures and sell devices 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 wearable that stops cameras knowing your face is wanted by a minority who care strongly about privacy.

Who is paid. Ordinary people buy it, and such wear is easy for any maker 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 fairly sure of this one.

A small prize. Running one community farm by networked software is a modest gain in care for the land.

Who is paid. The farm itself pays for the system, and farm software and sensors can be supplied by many firms, 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. Lifting whole flooded districts above the water would save cities and be a building trade of its own.

Who is paid. City authorities pay, and the lifting can be copied, so the big construction firms that already win public works 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. Fast-growing trees for paper and wood fibre would change the costs of the paper and timber trade.

Who is paid. Planters and mills buy the trees, and since living stock multiplies once any of it is sold, no originator can hold it, so the nurseries and forestry firms 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. A pouch that makes dirty water drinkable is a cheap personal aid, precious where water is scarce but a small purchase.

Who is paid. People buy it for themselves, and a simple filter pouch can be made by many firms, 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. Gathering waste from public toilets to recover water and plant food is a modest saving for a dry city.

Who is paid. The city pays for its own plumbing, and the pipes and treatment gear can be supplied by many firms, 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 pillow that plays songs is a minor comfort.

Who is paid. Sleepers buy it, and any maker of bedding or speakers can produce 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. See-through trousers are a fashion item for those who want them.

Who is paid. Households buy them, and once the cloth exists any clothing maker 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 small prize. A pay toilet on wheels serves people where water and plumbing are short.

Who is paid. Users pay each visit, and the trucks are easy to copy, so the operators who already run fleets and can sell the recovered waste 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. Getting through a crowd faster is a convenience for city dwellers.

Who is paid. People buy it for themselves, and I assume it is a gadget other makers could copy once it had been seen.

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 sleeping nook inside a shared room helps people in crowded housing, but it is a simple piece of kit.

Who is paid. Unlike a pod hotel, this is a product the sleeper owns, so people buy it themselves, and any tent or furniture maker can produce 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.

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.

No prize. A payment from the state to its people is a policy that moves money around, 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.