The Quasi
Universal Intergalactic Denomination, or QUID, is the new currency of
inter-planetary travelers. It was designed for the foreign exchange company
Travelex by scientists from Britain's National Space Centre and the University of Leicester.
The design intent is that QUIDs must withstand the rigors of
space travel – no sharp edges and no chemicals that could hurt space tourists.
"None
of the existing payment systems we use on earth – like cash, credit or debit
cards – could be used in space," said Professor George Fraser from the University of Leicester. "Anything with sharp edges, like coins, would be a risk to
astronauts while the chips and magnetic strips used in our cards on Earth would
be damaged beyond repair by cosmic radiation."
The QUID (see photo)
is made from a space-qualified polymer – PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). This
material is widely used by space agencies because of its durability and
versatility. Earthlings know it better as "teflon," and are
well-aware of its resistance to high temperatures and corrosive materials.
(Merchants will like the ease with which QUIDs slide out of consumer's pockets.)
The rounded edges of the QUID make it safer, and also
encompass the eight planets orbiting a sun which are part of the design. Each
of the orbiting planets contain a serial number; taken together, these numbers
will give each QUID disc a unique code to prevent counterfeiting.
What's a QUID worth? The current exchange rate for the new
currency is £6.25 to the QUID (or US$12.50 or about 8.68 Euros).
Hopefully, as we travel further from Earth and spread
throughout the galaxy, people will not confuse the QUID with the
"quid" – a slang term for the British pound sterling, possibly
deriving from the location of the Royal mint at Quidhampton, Wiltshire, England.
Science fiction fans are probably more used to terms like
the ubiquitous "credit." Here's a sample of more interesting future
currency names:
"Authority pays the same for ice now as thirty years
ago. And that's not okay. Worse yet, Authority scrip doesn't buy what it used
to. I remember when Hong Kong Luna dollars swapped even for Authority dollars.
Now it takes three Authority dollars to match one HKL dollar..."
(From Robert
Heinlein's 1966 novel The
Moon is a Harsh Mistress)
Philip
K. Dick fans enjoy swapping the genetically unique truffle skins from his
1964 novel The
Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch:
"...Mr. Icholtz brought out his wallet and began
counting out skins. 'Very little publicity will be attached to this at first.
But eventually--' He offered Hnatt the stack of brown, wrinkled, truffle-skins
which served as tender in the Sol system..."
(Read more about the truffle skins)
Readers are encouraged to contribute
more examples.
Via Travelex
Launches QUIDs in Space.
(This Science Fiction in the News story used with
permission of Technovelgy.com – where science meets
fiction)
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