Arthur C. Clarke, the groundbreaking science fiction writer and technological visionary, has died. Clarke wrote over 100 books on science and science fiction in a 70 year career. He is best known for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, which he later adapted for Kubrick's 1968 film of the same title.

Although his prediction of interplanetary space travel and colonisation haven't been realised, many of Clarke's visionary predictions have proved to be uncannily accurate. The Somerset born author is widely credited with pioneering the concept of satellite communication, proposing the idea in a 1945 article entitled "Extra-terrestrial Relays". Also Clarke was ridiculed in the 1940s for predicting that humanity would put a man on the moon before the year 2000.

In 2007 the bestselling author recorded a message of farewell to friends to mark his 90th birthday. He expresses his regret that there has been no contact with extraterrestrial beings in his lifetime. Arthur C. Clarke died yesterday at his home in Sri Lanka. He was 90 years old.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Arthur C Clarke's farewell message