Edgar Rice Burroughs (l875-l950)
is known as the Grandfather of American Science Fiction. He predicted the
invention of radar, sonar, television, teletype, the radio compass, the
automatic pilot, homing devices on bombs and torpedoes, genetic cloning,
living organ transplants, antigravity propulsion and many other concepts
deemed totally fantastic in his time. His soaring imagination, coupled
with the sure instinct of a master storyteller, assures him a position
of honor among American writers of the twentieth century.
-- George T. McWhorter -- Curator, Burroughs Memorial Collection / Editor:
BURROUGHS BULLETIN
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950)
was one of the great pioneers of modern Science Fiction, being one of the
first writers to consistently popularize extrapolations of the then-current
science of the early Twentieth Century. Much of his best SF occurred on
the planet Barsoom, the wonderful alternate Mars created by his fertile
imagination. Astronomically, he was describing Mars the way a lot of astronomers
described it at the time and his picture of a dying Mars with the ochre
dead sea bottoms, canals, exotic landscapes and an atmosphere factory which
provided an artificial atmosphere were almost plausible.
ERB was also one of the first
to explore essentially alien beings and their psychology and this was possibly
his most lasting impact on science fiction. The John Carter stories are
characterized by incredible scientific inventions, a disregard for the
laws of nature as we know them, and a somewhat male chauvinistic barbaric
world. Despite elementary plots which require constant suspension of disbelief
and characters who are shallow and predictable, the series has made immense
contributions to the field of serious science fiction.
Because of the sensationalist
approach of the Burroughs stories, he may never be appreciated as a great
author by professors of English, but Burroughs has made his mark on a potentially
more influential group of people: the deans of modern science fiction writers,
who have looked to Burroughs for inspiration and, at times, material. References
to John Carter and Barsoom abound in current fiction. Many famous authors
have cited the Burroughs works as profound influences upon their style
and perception of science fiction: Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray
Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Carl Sagan and a host of lesser-known
writers.
Although the SF novels of ERB
often have been accused of being weak on science, a careful study of his
body of work, especially in the Barsoom and Amtor series, turns up an incredible
array of scientific predictions -- the fruition of which we now take for
granted. In the following document we have provided descriptions of the
many inventions and future technologies prophesized by Mr. Burroughs in
those long ago, early years of the Twentieth Century.
Scientifiction was the term
coined in the '20s to describe ERB's style of imaginative, fantasy adventure.
Barsoom was the name Burroughs
applied to the red planet Mars which he described as an often hostile place
with low gravity, and as having lost most of its oxygen and water.
Atmosphere Factory provides
the artificial atmosphere of Mars through the powers of the Ninth Ray
-- a ray which is an inherent property of all light. The factory is a huge,
completely unassailable building which covers about four square miles and
towers 200 feet in the air. There is only one tiny door in the massive
walls, which are about 20 feet thick and the roof is guarded from attack
by aircraft by a glass covering five feet thick. Entry is gained through
a series of three doors, controlled by a set of nine thought waves. The
Ninth Ray is separated from the other rays of the sun by means of a
set of finely adjusted instruments on the sprawling roof of the factory,
three-quarters of which is used for reservoirs in which the Ninth Ray is
stored. Certain proportions of refined electric vibrations are combined
with it, and the result is pumped to the five principal air centers of
the planet, where, contact with the ether of space transforms it into atmosphere.
There is sufficient reserve of the stored Ninth Ray to maintain
the present atmosphere for 1,000 years. The only danger is that some accident
might befall the pumping apparatus, a battery of twenty radium pumps, any
one of which is equal to the task of furnishing all Mars with the atmosphere
compound. Each is used for a day at a time. Two men are in charge of this
plant, each of whom spends half a Martian year, at a time, alone in the
plant. The only real fears of attack are from the green Martians
or some demented red man, as all Barsoomians realize that the very existence
of every form of life on Mars is dependent upon the uninterrupted working
of this plant.
International air travel moves
both freight and passengers.
Full-Scale Air Battles between
powerful air fleets took place on Barsoom long before the importance of
airpower in war was accepted on Earth.
Airship hangars & landing
pads on roofs
Eighth Ray or Antigravity Ray
is the ray of propulsion. It repels aircraft from gravity and is used
in buoyancy tanks. It allows all Barsoomian aircraft to hover anywhere.
It is an inherent property of all light.
Ninth Ray combines with the
ether to create a breathable atmosphere on Barsoom.
Sun Ray Tank: A tank in which light is trapped
for later use (as opposed to converting sunlight to energy). (WM)
Airships range in size
from single seaters to giant 10,000-man craft.
Equibilibrimotors or flying belts
are one-man flying machines, consisting of a broad belt, similar to an
earthly life belt, filled with enough eighth ray to equalize the pull of
gravity. Attached to the back of the belt is a small radium motor and controls
are positioned on the front of the belt. Projecting from each side of the
upper rim of the belt is a strong, rigid, light wing with small hand levers
for quickly adjusting its position. The Equibilibrimotors are rented out
for public transport. City guards fly patrol in them.
One-man surfboard-like fliers
are equipped with a wind-screen and travel at speeds up to1000 mph.
Public flier taxis
Ground fliers are of two
different designs. In the north polar region the tires of this wheeled
motor vehicle are actually rubber-like gas bags filled with the eighth
Barsoomian ray. The flier is propelled along the ground by a motor-driven
propeller. Throughout most of the rest of Barsoom the ground flier is just
a modified aircraft designed for use on, or a short distance above the
ground.
Military aircraft patrol the
skies
Space craft guided by artificial
brains similar to today's computers were invented by Fal Siva, a scientist
in Zodanga.
Spacecraft capable of reaching
the moon Thuria was developed by Gal Nar, a scientist of Zodanga. Dejah
Thoris was abducted and transported to the moon in such a vehicle.
Spaceship propulsion employs
a technique of combining a propulsion ray with the highly concentrated
gravitational forces of nearby celestial bodies and a concentration of
Ray L (cosmic rays) which are collected from space and discharged at high
velocities from propulsion tubes at the ship's stern.
Astral Projection: John Carter
eventually masters the ability to project himself between Mars and Earth
at will. GMFW
Controlling Destination Compass
is a directional compass used for navigation in aircraft (this device was
called a gyro-compass in "Giant of Mars"). It is actually a computer-driven
automatic pilot perfected by Carthoris. The pilot sets the desired latitude
and longitude and the device then navigates to the location, shuts down
the propulsion, and lowers the craft to land. A warning bell is often incorporated
to awaken the sleeping pilot.
Altitude Ranging is another
feature of the Controlling Destination Compass which was designed to prevent
collisions.
Sonar or Radar devices are
used by Fliers to warn of approaching obstacles. The ship is brought
to a halt until pilot takes control.
Air and Ground Traffic Control:
All traffic in Okar is controlled by intricate flight control systems similar
to our modern-day air traffic control networks.
Airship weaponry
includes rapid fire guns and the larger radium cannons which
fire explosive radium projectiles. A variety of bombs are
also used.
Radium rifles are an extremely
deadly weapon with a range of 300 miles. They fire small calibre explosive
radium bullets which explode when exposed to light. The bullets are
covered with a thin coating that breaks on contact with the target, thus
creating an explosion. This is the principal firearm used by the green
men. Many models are equipped with wireless finders and sighters
and the Therns or white Martians use a model with an attached shield.
This lightweight weapon has a wood stock - a rare material on Barsoom -
and a long metal barrel composed of a specially tempered alloy of aluminum
and steel.
Radium Pistols are a firearms
with a shorter range than the radium rifle.
Atom Gun is a somewhat different
kind of pistol or rifle described in "Giant of Mars."
Disintegrating Ray of Tul
Axtar was invented by Phor Tak, the scientist of Jahar. It destroys metal,
wood, or flesh, depending on the setting of the machine gauges. It is of
a much shorter range than the radium cannon.
Ghastly blue protective paint
was later developed by Phor Tak to negate the effects of the disintegrating
ray.
Phor Tak's Flying Death is
a guided missile attracted to Tul Axtar's protective blue paint or other
objects to which it has been programmed to hit. The missiles were covered
with invisible paint but were never used as they were destroyed by
conquering Helium. FMM10
Carborundum Aluminum was
a lightweight, impenetrable material used in the construction of Martian
fighting ships.
Invisibilty paint is used
on fliers as a cloaking device. This invention by Phor Tak causes the line
of vision to pass completely around it, making the object to which it is
applied invisible.
Invisibility Sand is a Sasoomian
submicroscopic, magnetic sand composed of prismatic crystals. It has the
same characteristics as Invisibility Paint. Its many uses include concealing
aircraft and camouflaging homes.
Magnetic tower of Kadabra - the
Great Power or Guardian of the North - is a gigantic electromagnet built
over the north magnetic pole in Okar. It has the power to desroy approaching
air fleets. It is controlled by the technician Solan.
Magnetic Elevator: A transport device that uses
very powerful electromagnets for propulsion.(GM)
Carrion Caves are a series
of 27 caverns connecting the hothouse cities of the North Pole with the
outside world, beneath the ice cliffs. Here the yellow men of Okar bring
their dead so that the stench will discourage any invasion of their territory.
Pumping Stations of the subterranean
Omean Sea: The only entrance to the Omean Sea is through a crater opening
in a flat-topped black mountain rising from the south polar ice cap. To
keep it from filling above a certain level, the Black Pirates have four
great pumping stations that force the oversupply back into the reservoirs
from which the red men draw the water which irrigates their farm lands.
Submarines are used in the
Omean Sea.
Advanced Mental Powers were
developed by Lotharians who create imaginary bowmen for defence.
Advanced Hypnotic Powers
were developed by Kaldanes who control others through mind control.
"Canals": What appears as
canals through our Jasoomian telescopes are actually fertile, irrigated
strips of farmland. Water is collected in immense underground reservoirs
at the poles from the melting ice caps.This water is pumped through long
conduits to the various populated centers where it is distributed to farms
and cities. Along either side of these conduits, and extending their entire
length, lie the cultivated districts. They are divided into tracts of about
equal size, each under the supervision of one or more government officers.
Instead of flooding the surface of the fields, and thus wasting immense
quantities by evaporation, the water is carried underground through a vast
network of small pipes directly to the roots of the vegetation.
Underground transport links
the Twin Cities of Helium which are 75 miles apart
Pneumatic tube transport systems
are part of the rapid transit system between the Twin Cities. Passengers
are propelled through the 75-mile tubes in eight-foot-long bullet-shaped
cars.
Pits & passageways under
cities
Ramps are much more common than
stairs over most of Barsoom.
Home Security is achieved by
using hydraulics to lift houses up at night for safety.
Door Locking Mechanisms are
controlled by a series of light rays of varying intensity for specific
lengths of time.
Surveillance cameras are
used in Zodanga's Royal Palace
Directional lighting:
In Barsoomian street lighting, the light leaves the lamp, goes around in
a circle, illuminates everything in its path and then returns to the lamp.
SM
Torches of Horz are cylindrical
portable lighting devices with a central core which glows when exposed
to air. The secret technique of producing this central core has been lost
for centuries.
Forandus is the hardest and
lightest metal on Barsoom. It is commonly used in the making of wall panels.
Radium Light Bulbs are the
principal means of artificial lighting on Mars. They are hemispherical
glass bowls, filled with radium powder, which gives a clear but glareless
light almost indefinitely. The bulb is never extinguished, but is fitted
with an opaque cover when not in use.
Holographic Telescopes
Telescopic Cameras are capable
of taking pictures of Earth objects as small as a blade of grass. PM11
Glass-Domes are used to cover
whole cities in northern polar regions. Here, solar energy is trapped and
stored in huge reservoirs.
Solar Energy used in northern
cities for heating and a source of energy.
Concentrated energy food tablets
Food Automats prepare and
serve food entirely by a mechanical apparatus. The diner selects the food
to be served by pressing tiny buttons.
Healing powders and ointments
of remarkable powers can heal wounds of any severity.
ID Rings WM
ID Machines are used in northern
nation of Okar to measure, weigh and photograph people. Copies of this
information are reproduced instantly in offices all over the region.
Dance of Barsoom One-Stringed
Instrument is an exotic instrument made of skeel (a Barsoomian hardwood)
and shaped to fit the left forearm of the dancers. Characters are inscribed
upon it denoting the pitch and length of its tone. There is also a ring
wound with gut which is worn between the first and second joints of the
index finger of the right hand and which, when passed over the string,
elicits the single tone required of the dancer.
Invisibility Tablets are
used by the invisible warriors of Invak and Onvak in the Forest of Lost
Men. It renders them invisible except under special artificial lighting
in their cities. A tablet takes effect after an hour and lasts for one
day.
Radio Technology: There is
a great variety of radio-related equipment from large to miniature with
various modes of transmission & reception, secret frequencies,
transmission codes, headsets, etc.
Nerve Index Machines control
the bodies of people. This machine was invented by scientist Myr-lo for
the Jeddak of Kamtol who holds all his subjects and slaves in absolute
control. The machine is keyed to their nervous systems via shortwaves and
enables him to kill all escapees or rebellious subjects with the simple
pushing of a button.
Photostatic copiers which
reproduce images in an instant are used in the Temple of Knowledge.
Computer Fax and Teletype Machines
record and transmit data.
Gridley Wave is a type of
radio wave discovered by Jason Gridley of Tarzana, California, and is also
used by Barsoomian scientists. Ulysses Paxton transmitted the story of
Tan Hadron of Hastor to Burroughs via this medium.
Sophisticated Chronometers
Longitudinal Positions (Central
Meridian) are reckoned from the ancient city of Exum.
Through Ras Thavas of Toonol,
the Mastermind of Mars, ERB presented a long string of innovations long
before they appeared on Earth:
Transplanting of Organs through
sophisticated surgical techniques
Brain Transfer
Restoring of Severed Limbs
Iron Lungs
Artificial Hearts
Multi-Focal Lenses in eye glasses
Sophisticated Hearing Aids
Intricate Brain Surgery
Instruments to study thought
waves of inhabitants of distant planets
Freezing and Reviving of Bodies,
i.e. suspended animation,
Homads - synthetic men
Malagors - a recreation of extinct
huge flying birds on which the Homads rode
Television - invented by Ras
Thavas
Edgar Rice Burroughs'
Predictions
of Future Innovations and
Inventions
Part I: Barsoom (Mars):
ERBzine
0459
The illustrated version
of this feature appears at:
ERBzine
0247: ERB Future Visions - St. John Barsoomian Gallery I
ERBzine
0248: ERB Future Visions - St. John Barsoomian Gallery II
ERBzine
0249: ERB Future Visions - St. John Barsoomian Gallery III
Part
II: Amtor (Venus): ERBzine
1561
