Editing Exploratory engineering (section)

==Science fiction==

Both proponents and critics often point to [[science fiction]] stories as the origin of exploratory engineering. On the positive side of the science fiction ledger, the ocean-going [[submarine]], the [[telecommunications satellite]], and other inventions were anticipated in such stories before they could be built.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Science in Science Fiction: 83 SF Predictions that Became Scientific Reality|author=Robert Bly|url=https://archive.org/details/scienceinscience0000blyr |url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/scienceinscience0000blyr/page/1 1]|date=2005|publisher=BenBella Books |isbn=1-932100-48-2}}</ref> On the negative side of the same ledger, other science fiction devices such as the [[space elevator]] may be forever impossible because of basic [[strength of materials]] issues or due to other difficulties, either anticipated or unanticipated.