Arthur C. Clarke predicted geostationary satellites 20 years before there were any.

http://lakdiva.org/clarke/1945ww/

Nice bit of informatin there Steve, I was unaware of that.

And Jule Verne visualized the moon travel.

In the Myers-Briggs test, intuitives (N) have the clearest view of the future.

The list is actually very large. Here is a list from 2007 I wrote just on technologies either developed or under development from the Star Trek franchise. Gives you a bit of an idea just how much peoples imagination can drive development.

Also in development (or has been completed) from the Star Trek universe.

Ion drive - Developed and in use in ESA's Moon mission and SMART space probes. Currently developing enhanced version for interstellar travel and/or manned mars mission. Transparent

Dilithium crystals (what make Enterprise go) - Development continuing

Transparent Aluminum (Star Trek 3 "The voyage home") - Developed. Armoured windows for new armoured military vehicle

Holo-deck - Still working on. 3D screen less hologram projections in development.

Smart interactive touch panel user interface - Developing. Currently as an interactive gaming table merging best elements of board gaming with computer fun.

Positronic brain (Mr Data) - In development (using neural networks). I lost track but about 5-8 years ago computers produced in lab with IQ of a bee.

Optotronic (optical) Computers - In development, also optical microchips.

Warp Drive - Believe they gave up when it was concluded that would require all energy in universe to produce warp field. May still be possible with better understanding of quantum physics and mechanics.

Phasers - Nothing yet that I'm aware of, although US have built a portable chemical laser that can track and shoot down multiple missiles and even mortar rounds in mid flight (video is quite spectacular).

Photon Torpedo - Nothing yet that I'm aware of.

Photonic Cannon (The "ECM Emergency Command Hologram" episode for you Voyager fans) - Actually under development.

Tricorder - Currently cell phones are progressing into the all-purpose device.

Cybernetics ("we are the borg") - Successful lab tests 2005 linking biological cells to electronics for IO control.

Nanobots ("we are the borg") - Under development (also see MEMS technology)

Artificial gravity - NASA (and others) still working on.

Force Field - Nothing major yet that I'm aware of.

Parallel Dimensions - Still debating in scientific world. Current theory's indicate yes.

Wormhole travel - Still debating in scientific world. Current theory's indicate possible with better understanding of quantum physics and mechanics.

Time Travel (every 3-5 episode of any Star trek series) - Current theory's indicate possible with better understanding of quantum physics and mechanics (has a few bugs thou that mean you cannot go back before the time of the construction of the time machine). First annual time traveller convention held (2006 I think). Venue location details included detailed GPS and timing for future time travellers to visit. Yes this did actually happen. No, no time travels were spotted.

Remote control humans (the "Find Spook's Brain episode") - Prototypes in development by Japanese. Disrupts inner ear to control movement of user against his/her will. Demonstrated at an Asian trade show last year and the control mechanism looks and works like an RC control. Spooky.

Voice control of computers - Development continuing (quite basic at moment).

(Most of this list was current as at end of 2006, early 2007).

http://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/126028

GA, there is actually ashow with Shatner on exactly this topic. I watched it a few weeks ago on tv. very interesting.

It's probably because writers look at upcoming things from science and technology to make their stories seem topical.

The Dick Tracy comic strip predicted cell phones years before James Bond, sorry.

What other show do you think have contributed to advancements in technology?