Encyclopedia Galactica

As an Encyclopedia Galactica ( Galactic Encyclopedia ) a thematized in various science fiction stories fictional Encyclopedia is called, in which the whole of human knowledge as well as the entire knowledge of non-human beings included.

In particular, the Galactic Encyclopedia plays in several science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov and in the five-part trilogy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams an important role.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov cycle

The Foundation by Isaac Asimov cycle from 1942, the Encyclopedia has played an important role, because in it the whole of human knowledge should be collected and preserved. The encyclopedist manipulate in the novels of the Foundation - cycle the Galactic fate of mankind by means of the fictional science of Psychohistorik and therefore dominate many populated worlds of people.

Asimov led the Encyclopedia Galactica with the following words:

" ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA * * All quotations from the Encyclopedia Galactica here Reproduced are taken from the 116th edition published in 1020 FE by the Encyclopedia Galactica Publishing Co., Terminus, with permission of the publishers. "

This represents a reference to quotations from the Encyclopædia Britannica

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

In Adams novel the Encyclopaedia Galactica as a serious counterpart to the Guide Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ( engl. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) is shown:

" In many of the more casual civilizations something on the extreme eastern edge of the Galaxy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Guide has the great Encyclopaedia Galactica as the standard reference work for all knowledge and wisdom now long been replaced by the galaxy. Because even though he has many gaps and contains many things that are very doubtful, or at least insanely inaccurate, it scores over the older, more pedestrian work in two ways. First, it is a bit cheaper, and second, are the words DO NOT PANIC on its cover in large, friendly letters. "