10 Sci-Fi Gadgets That Inspired Real Inventions

Let's stick with Star Trek for another entry or two. Its influence on technology, after all, is renowned. The replicator appeared from the beginning, and remains one of the most ingenious and seemingly far-fetched inventions of the 23rd Century and beyond. In the show, as well as supporting and feeding the crew of a starship, it helped to cure hunger and bring about world peace.

However, hundreds of years before Kirk and co set out on their five-year mission, 3D printers carry out an extremely similar job to the replicator, at least as far as producing non-edible equipment is concerned. Starfleet officers get their uniforms, gifts for one another and all kinds of solid items from the replicator, and now it is common to see 3D printers working with glass, metal, plastic and even less versatile materials such as wax to produce all manner of end products from car parts to bionic arms.

With the technology becoming rapidly more advanced, it looks as if 3D printers will be carrying out the replicator's tasks long before the time of the Enterprise. One of the current most accessible 3D printers even bears the name 'The Replicator,' and last year technology was exhibited serving 3D printed meat at an Australian conference.