[yardstick]

Not the op, but just wanted to note various technologies in the past have been inspired by fiction: https://screenrant.com/star-trek-real-life-gadgets/

It’s a symbiotic relationship at times. Eg Computers became a thing, fiction ran with it and made up hand held tablet computers, Tricorders, universal translators etc, which materially (not always exclusively) influence future technology designs and directions. Today we have real tablet computers, universal translators etc which were inspired by fiction.

Edit: I missed the specific point being made that the Vietnam War was well, well before the GI Joe movies in question. Apologies!

[mtarnovan]

Sure. I just wanted to point out that the linked article describes similar weaponry used by the US in Vietnam, so the point about inspiration from a movie is kinda moot.

[yardstick]

Ah right, apologies I missed that! You make a fair comment given the GI Joe movies came out decades after the Vietnam war.

[adriveatrain]

Are you sure it's not because they are the obvious things?

[renjimen]

They seem that way now, but when a computer was the size of a building, perhaps not.