Quote Investigator confirms Clarke’s 1979 fifty-year version, published in 1981, and later revisions. Its conclusion describes the ten-year version as supported by indirect evidence, rather than treating every version as equally established.
“The space elevator will be built ten years after everyone stops laughing” — Attributed to Arthur C. Clarke; the ten-year version has indirect support. Earlier documented versions use different numbers.
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Evoking the world of Arthur C. Clarke — British science-fiction writer. Theme: "The space elevator will be built ten years after everyone stops laughing". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
The source
Evidence
Ten-year variant reported indirectly
Verdict
Attributed
The space elevator will be built ten years after everyone stops laughing
Short identifying wording under investigation; not a claim that a primary original was inspected.
Quote Investigator confirms Clarke’s 1979 fifty-year version, published in 1981, and later revisions. Its conclusion describes the ten-year version as supported by indirect evidence, rather than treating every version as equally established. Quote Investigator: fifty, fifteen and ten years ↗
Clarke’s space-elevator remarks were published after 1930. This page uses only a short identifying excerpt; rights remain with the relevant authors and publishers.
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Arthur C. Clarke wrote science fiction and essays about technology. His work connected imagined futures with questions about science.
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The evidence consulted
Quote Investigator: fifty, fifteen and ten years. Consulted 9 November 2026. https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/06/09/elevator/
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘The space elevator will be built ten years after everyone stops laughing’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/the-space-elevator-will-be-built-ten-years-after-everyone/