As many scientists are right, the foresight of the great pen master Rafael Jules Verne was far ahead of the technology of the 18th and 19th centuries and aimed at the future. The coincidences of modern technologies that he described almost two centuries ago are striking. We can say that the period of great discoveries is 200 years.
At the age of 11, Jules Verne took a job on a ship as a cabin boy and almost escaped to India. In the novel Paris in the twentieth Century, Jules Verne predicted the advent of fax machines, video calls, electric chairs, and television. But the publisher returned the manuscript to Vern, calling him an "idiot." In the novel The Extraordinary Adventures of the Barsac Expedition, Jules Verne predicted the variable thrust vector in airplanes. In The Foundling from the Lost Cynthia, the writer justified the need for navigability of the Northern Sea Route in one navigation. Jules Verne did not predict the appearance of a submarine – in his time it already existed. But the Nautilus, piloted by Captain Nemo, surpassed even the submarines of the 21st century.The prose writer was mistaken when he considered the core of the earth to be cold. In nine novels, Jules Verne described the events that unfold in Russia, having never visited the country.
Analysis of Energy Sources in Jules Verne's Novels
1. Introduction
Jules Verne’s novels are renowned for their scientific approach and accurate predictions regarding future technological achievements of humanity. One key aspect of his work is the depiction of various energy sources used by characters in his stories. These sources range from traditional fuels to innovative solutions that anticipate modern technologies.
2. Traditional Energy Sources
2.1 Coal and Oil
In some early works, Verne mentions coal and oil as primary energy sources. However, starting mid-career, he begins exploring alternative solutions, recognizing the limitations of conventional energy resources. For example, in “Five Weeks in a Balloon” (“Cinq semaines en ballon”), characters use charcoal to heat the balloon, demonstrating society’s dependence on available energy resources (Volimo).
3. Innovative Energy Sources
3.1 Electricity
One of the most famous examples of an innovative energy source in Verne’s works is electricity in the novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” (“Vingt mille lieues sous les mers”). Captain Nemo describes electricity as a universal force providing lighting, heating, and powering mechanisms aboard his ship Nautilus. This choice highlights Verne’s vision of electricity as a crucial component of future civilization.
3.1.1 Thermoelectricity
In another episode of “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” Captain Nemo proposes using temperature differences between ocean water at different depths to generate electricity. Although this technology proved inefficient in reality, it inspired subsequent researchers to explore possibilities of utilizing oceanic thermal energy.
3.2 Hydrogen Energy
In the novel “The Mysterious Island” (“L’Île mystérieuse”), Verne presents the concept of hydrogen usage as an energy source. The protagonist engineer Cyrus Smith asserts that humanity’s future lies with hydrogen extracted from water through electrolysis. Despite the complexity of implementing this idea in the 19th century, today’s hydrogen economy confirms Verne’s foresight.
3.3 Solar and Wind Power
Although direct utilization of solar and wind energy does not play a significant role in Verne’s novels, indirectly he points out their importance. In “Paris in the Twentieth Century” (“Paris au XX siècle”), Verne depicts a city partially supplied with electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines. This reflects the author’s understanding of the significance of environmentally friendly energy sources.
4. Practical Significance of Verne’s Predictions
Verne’s forecasts about energy sources have had a substantial impact on science and technology development. The ideas of using electricity and hydrogen became foundational for research in these areas. Today, hydrogen is considered a potential substitute for hydrocarbon fuel, while electrical grids sustain life activities in most populated regions globally.
5. Criticism and Limitations
Despite Verne’s insightfulness, his predictions had certain limitations. For instance, his proposed use of electrochemical cells to power ships turned out technically impossible in the 19th century. Nevertheless, his ideas stimulated further exploration and development of similar technologies.
6. Conclusion
Analysis of energy sources in Jules Verne’s novels demonstrates the author’s profound understanding of energy security issues and the necessity of seeking alternatives to traditional fuels. His forecasts concerning electric networks, hydrogen-based energy, and renewable energy remain relevant today, confirming the significance of Verne’s scientific approach to literary creation.
What other ideas did Jules Verne come up with that haven't been implemented by humanity yet?
Jules Verne was an outstanding visionary whose many ideas were realized decades after the publication of his novels. But some concepts remained mere fantasies or have yet to find widespread application:
Ideas Yet to Be Realized
Underwater Cities:In the novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Captain Nemo conceived the idea of building underwater cities. While scientists and engineers have explored this concept, creating stable and sustainable settlements beneath the sea remains a challenge even today.
Electromagnetic Artillery:In From Earth to Moon (De la Terre Ă la Lune), Verne described an electromagnetic cannon called the Columbiad capable of launching projectiles to the moon. Modern-day railgun projects exist but full-scale implementation still requires considerable advancements.
Hypersonic Passenger Flights:In Robur the Conqueror, Verne envisioned airships traveling at incredible speeds. Hypersonic passenger aircraft are under development, but wide adoption will require major breakthroughs.
Planetary Colonization:In Floating Island, Verne introduced the concept of mobile planet-like islands. Such projects seem fantastical and unlikely to become part of our near-term reality.
Public Electric Transportation:Several books feature Verne dreaming of widespread public transportation powered entirely by electricity. While such vehicles do exist, complete electrification of urban transport systems continues to evolve gradually.
Aerodynamic Apparatus:In Master Zacharius, devices capable of lifting off into the sky and moving over land are depicted. Autonomous aerostats relying on solar batteries and other innovative energy sources remain experimental aviation fields.
Thus, although most of Verne's ideas have become realities, some continue to be visions of the future.