Arthur C. Clarke: 1917-2008

Early this morning, the world lost one of its greatest thinkers.

Arthur C. Clarke died at the age of 90 from complications in his breathing, after suffering for many years from post-polio syndrome, which eventually had left him confined to a wheelchair.

A renown inventor and sci-fi writer (who also, incidentally was known for his work as an underwater explorer), Clarke had the unique ability to think both scientifically and creatively, and he merged the two together in his writing, particularly in his classic work 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was eventually made into a Stanley Kubrick film. Clarke made science accessible to the common man, and much of what he wrote about was years ahead of its time. He came up with idea for the communications satellite, as well as a detection program for asteroids decades before the rest of scientific community caught on.

Reportedly, a film version of Clarke's 1972 novel Rendezvous with Rama is currently in the works, with director David Fincher (Fight Club, Panic Room) at the helm.

Below, watch the opening of 2001: A Space Odyssey, and then take a moment of silence for Arthur C. Clarke and all that he gave the world.