JULES VERNEOf Science Fiction and Truthiness

ORIGINS

Born February 8th, 1828 Grew up in Western France Inspired by boats in the

harbor Passion for travel and

exploration Studied at a boarding school

where one of his teachers may have been inventor Brutus de Villeroi

WRITING

Verne began writing fiction while studying Law.

He met Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo who offered writing advice

Worked with Pierre-Jules Hetzel to tone down his “too scientific” first attempts

Best known for Around the World in 80 Days, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth

PREDICTIONS

Verne’s writings described technologies that have startling similarities to what we see around us today.

He described technologies such as air conditioning, nuclear submarines, helicopters, projectors, space missions (the Apollo program), and hydrogen fuel cells.

LATERAL THINKING

Verne was able to take the scientific knowledge of his day and his own experience to come up with startlingly accurate descriptions of technology that wouldn’t be invented for almost 200 years.

Exercise number one. Think of a completely new technology that might exist 20 years from now.

SOLVING PROBLEMS

New technologies to solve problems The ability to visualize the problems of the

future (formulating the question)