ftl adj.

= faster-than-light adj.

SF Encyclopedia


Science

FTL

  • 1950 F. Leiber Enchanted Forest in Astounding Science Fiction Oct. 111/2 page image Fritz Leiber bibliography

    Your FTL radio can take no fix.

  • 1951 E. C. Tubb Entrance Exam in New Worlds Science Fiction Winter 81 page image E. C. Tubb bibliography

    A Mark II FTL engine, plentifully supplied with fuel.

  • 1964 F. Pohl Father of the Stars in Worlds of If Nov. 115/2 page image Frederik Pohl bibliography

    Until some frabjous super-Batman invented the mythical FTL drive it would always be so. At possible speeds…it was a matter of decades to reach almost every worthwhile planet.

  • 1980 L. A. P. Moore Alpha Centauri A Nine in Fantastic Jan. 68 page image L. A. P. Moore bibliography

    As soon as a successful FTL drive was developed, Alan planned to transfer to Alpha Centauri A Nine.

  • 1994 Sci Fi Entertainment Aug. 24/1

    That’s why each day you can receive 60-second news reports from 150 years in the future on FTL (Faster Than Light) Newsfeed.

  • 2001 Science Fiction Chronicle July 26/3

    The problem is with a new FTL drive that apparently works except that the six guys who’ve tested it haven’t been heard from since.

Research requirements

antedating 1950
Research History
Mike Christie submitted a 1965 cite from Larry Niven's "Wrong-Way Street."
David Greenebaum submitted a cite from a 1986 reprint of Frederik Pohl's "Father of the Stars", and Mike Christie verified the cite in the original 1964 magazine appearance.
Enoch Forrester submitted a cite from a reprint of Fritz Leiber's "The Enchanted Forest"; Mike Christie verified it in the 1950 original magazine appearance.

Last modified 2022-02-09 16:08:50
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.