From Sci-Fi to Reality: How Films Inspired the Tech Around Us

21 August 2025

Paul Francis

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A Nostalgic Glimpse of the Future

There was a certain magic in sitting down to watch a sci-fi film as a child, eyes wide, heart racing, as heroes tapped sleek screens, spoke into tiny devices, or zoomed around in cars that seemed to fly. The future felt just a reel away, and we often marveled at gadgets that seemed impossible. Yet over the decades, many of these fantastical inventions have crept off the screen and into our pockets, homes, and daily lives.

Foldable smartphone with a purple cover, standing open on a marble surface. The screen displays the time 17:51 and a colorful graphic.

Star Trek and the Rise of Mobile Phones

One of the most obvious examples is the mobile phone. Fans of Star Trek will remember the original series’ communicators, small flip devices that allowed instant contact across distances. These were a clear inspiration for the flip phones that became ubiquitous in the 1990s and early 2000s. Even today, the sleek, touch-screen smartphones we carry owe a nod to that early vision of portable, personal communication.

Beyond Phones: Sci-Fi as a Blueprint for Innovation

Films like Back to the Future Part II imagined hoverboards, self-lacing shoes, and video calling long before they became tangible possibilities. Science fiction has often served as a blueprint, a source of collective imagination that engineers and designers try to replicate. Robotic assistants, smart home devices, and augmented reality technologies can all trace at least part of their conceptual lineage back to the silver screen.

Medical Technology Inspired by Fiction

Medical technology has also benefited from the visionary ideas of science fiction. The Star Trek medical tricorder, capable of diagnosing ailments instantly, inspired real-world attempts at portable diagnostic tools. Companies and researchers have been working on handheld devices capable of scanning vitals and detecting illnesses quickly, a technology that could revolutionise healthcare access in remote areas.

Challenges of Turning Fiction Into Reality

Yet translating fiction into reality is rarely straightforward. Many innovations seen in films face practical, economic, and ethical challenges. The self-driving cars imagined in Total Recall and Minority Report are now being tested in real cities, but safety, regulation, and infrastructure remain hurdles. Similarly, while gesture-controlled interfaces and holographic displays dazzle audiences in cinemas, creating responsive, reliable, and affordable versions for daily use is far from simple.

Close-up of a person wearing glowing, futuristic HUD glasses with digital patterns. Eye-focused, hi-tech ambiance against a dark backdrop.

Nostalgia Keeps the Dream Alive

Nostalgia, however, keeps the dream alive. Older audiences smile at seeing Star Trek communicators reflected in their pocket devices, while younger viewers are inspired by the visions they see on screen today. Science fiction acts as both motivator and mirror, reflecting our hopes for the future and nudging technologists to turn imagination into reality.

Looking Forward: The Fantastical Becoming Mundane

So, while we may not be zooming around on hoverboards or casually teleporting from place to place just yet, the gadgets we carry and the technologies we rely on are increasingly influenced by what once seemed impossible. Perhaps one day, the fantastical devices of today’s films will be the mundane tools of tomorrow, and future generations will look back with the same nostalgic wonder we do now. Until then, keep an eye on the screen—it may just be the blueprint for the next revolution in technology.

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The Resurgence of Measles in the UK: Unravelling the Impact of Anti-Vax Movement

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Jan 22, 2024
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In a concerning turn of events, the UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning about the rapid spread of measles, emphasising the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts. Once on the verge of eradication, measles is making a comeback, raising questions about why a disease that was almost eliminated has resurfaced.

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The Success of the Past: MMR Vaccination Campaign

The decline of measles in the late 80s and 90s can be attributed to the success of the mass vaccination campaign featuring the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. During this period, a significant drop in cases occurred as 95% of the population received the vaccine. However, recent data indicates a concerning decline in vaccination rates, with only 85% of UK children having received two doses of the MMR vaccine by 2022-2023 – the lowest level since 2011.

The Anti-Vax Movement and its Impact

The decline in vaccination rates is not a result of a lack of availability or awareness but is closely tied to the growing momentum of the anti-vaccination movement. With the surge in conspiracy theories and misinformation circulating on social media, scepticism towards basic scientific principles has taken root.

The Impact of Andrew Wakefield's Infamous Paper

One pivotal moment in the anti-vax movement's history involves Andrew Wakefield, a disgraced former doctor turned anti-vaccine activist. In 1998, Wakefield published a fraudulent paper linking the MMR vaccine to bowel symptoms and autism in children, which was later found by the General Medical Council to be "dishonest." In 2010, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, fully retracted the paper. Despite the absence of scientific evidence supporting a link between vaccines and autism, the damage had been done.

Media Influence and Ongoing Misconceptions

Wakefield's fraudulent paper received widespread media attention, with national TV interviews amplifying his claims about vaccines causing autism in children. This fueled the anti-vaccine movement, leading to enduring misconceptions. Today, some individuals still assert a connection between vaccines and autism, despite the overwhelming lack of scientific support.

The Role of Social Media

Social media has played a crucial role in the dissemination of misinformation, allowing unfounded claims to reach a broader audience. The ease with which information spreads on platforms like Facebook contributes to the perpetuation of baseless fears surrounding vaccines.

The resurgence of measles in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of vaccine hesitancy. While the MMR vaccine was once a beacon of success in disease prevention, the rise of the anti-vax movement has jeopardised its impact. It is imperative for public health officials to address misinformation, rebuild trust in vaccines, and promote widespread immunisation to protect future generations from preventable diseases.