Arthur C. Clarke, author of hundreds of books on science, science fiction, space, and even underwater exploration, died in his home yesterday at the age of 90. For many, Clarke embodied the future. He was a writer, the man behind epic tales such as "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Rendezvous with Rama," and a host of other sci-fi classics. He was an explorer, documenting his dives to the Great Barrier Reef in incredible detail. And he was a futurist, suggesting that satellites would be useful in making radio communication global long before Sputnik was launched, and predicting a world where we routinely watched men and women skyrocket into orbit long before anyone dreamt that such a thing was possible.
Perhaps one of the most prolific writers in modern history, Clarke was known to turn out several books a year. He wrote a number of sci-fi classics, but also published papers and non-fiction books on space travel and underwater exploration. Clarke postulated in 1945 that satellites in geo-stationary orbit could relay radio communications around the world within moments, and wrote about humanity's exploration of the moon before the Apollo missions were thought of. Clarke's science fiction visions slowly became science fact over the decades, and through it all he looked forward, dreaming of tomorrow.
Clarke was a farmer's son, working for the British government as a youngster and joining the Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, he obtained his bachelor of science in Physics and Mathematics, but he was busy writing articles and stories about space travel and the future of humans in space while still in the midst of his academic career. Clarke was more than a scientist and a futurist, he was also an avid scuba diver: He choose to live in Sri Lanka after World War II so he could dive the Indian Ocean and travel to Australia to observe life in the Great Barrier Reef.
On his 90th birthday in December 2007, Clarke, suffering from post-polio syndrome and breathing problems that had plagued him since the 1960s, recorded a video message to his fans. He wished the world well, said his goodbyes, and expressed that he had lived a full life and had no regrets. He hoped that for all of our sakes we would find a way to live in peace (specifically referencing Sri Lanka's civil war), embrace clean energy to protect the planet, and continue searching for extraterrestrial life.
Clarke's books and articles forced readers to expand their horizons and stretch their imaginations. His non-fiction earned him the respect of scientists around the world, and his vision of the future commanded the admiration of two generations of fans. Clarke was an inspiration to people of all ages that dared look up at the sky in wonder or dream of exploring the depths of the sea or the vastness of space, and he'll truly be missed.
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