space warp n.
a distortion of space-time that enables space travellers to make journeys at faster-than-light speeds
SF Encyclopedia
FTL
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1935
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Nat Schachner
bibliography
For centuries they had endured under their diverse forms of government…wrapped in special defenses which they to the mightiest weapons that human science could bring to bear. Of such were the Space-Warp that flowed in a solid cessation of light around Yorrick, the inconceivably compact hemisphere of Impermite that inclosed [sic] Pisbor, and the shimmering Web-Curtain behind which Chico hazed and danced like a mirage.
Son of Redmask in Astounding Stories Aug. 101/1
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1936
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Jack Williamson
bibliography
Every atom of ship load and crew was deflected infinitesimally from the space-time continuum of four dimensions, and thus freed of the ordinary limitations of acceleration and velocity, was driven around space, rather than through it, by a direct reaction against the space warp itself.
Cometeers in Astounding Stories May 22/2
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1941
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Theodore Sturgeon
bibliography
As soon as he was out of the planet’s effective space warp, he slipped into hyperspace and traveled toward Procyon and its dark companion at many times the speed of light.
Artnan Process in Astounding Science Fiction June 66/2
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1944
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George O. Smith
bibliography
The alphatron is still in fine shape, and the space[-]warp generator can still do a job.
Circle of Confusion in Astounding Science-Fiction Mar. 53/2
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1953
Robert A. Heinlein
We sort of duck into a space warp; isn’t that right?
Starman Jones (1975) vii. 78
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?a1965
Gene Roddenberry
bibliography
Drive—space-warp [.] Range—18 years at light-year velocity [.] Registry—Earth, United Spaceship.
Original outline for ‘Star Trek’ in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ (1968) i. 24
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1968
bibliography
Originally the Enterprise was said to be powered by something loosely called a ‘space warp’. As episode after episode went into production, it became increasingly obvious that this point would have to be tied down.
in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ ii. 192
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1979
Marion Zimmer Bradley
bibliography
The main cliché of pulp fiction was the man of today’s world, suddenly taken away or caught up, via Time Gate, spacewarp, or a prolonged period of suspended animation.
Stormqueen! (1991) p. v
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1988
Neal Stephenson
There was at least an acre back here, tucked away in kind of a space warp caused by Brighton’s irrational street pattern.
Zodiac . 3
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1994
Ben Bova
bibliography
At the very least, it can lead to stories that are filled with jargon such as space warp, psionics, antigravs, droids and such.
Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells vi. 43
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2013
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William Leisner
bibliography
Then I suggest that, if we were to reroute the warp plasma generated by your more powerful reactor to our spacewarp generators, we could create a sufficient subspace drive field to encompass both ships, and achieve a warp velocity high enough to get your vessel to Wezonvu in ten days.
Shocks of Adversity iii. 85
Research requirements
antedating 1935
Earliest cite
N. Schachner 'The Son of Redmask'
Research History
Mike Christie submitted a 1939 cite from Clifford Simak's "Cosmic Engineers".Rick Hauptmann submitted a 1936 cite from Jack Williamson's "The Cometeers".
Rick Hauptmann submitted a 1935 cite from Nat Schachner's "The Son of Redmask".
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2013 cite from William Leisner.
Earliest cite in the OED: 1947. We would like to check the story "Men of the Dark Comet", by Festus Pragnell, in Wonder Stories of June 1933, which is supposed to use this concept, and perhaps the word.
Last modified 2022-12-27 02:29:44
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.