More of science emulating science fiction: in Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series (the second book, if I remember correctly), the protagonist is shot several times at point-blank range with a large-caliber handgun. He survives with nothing more than extreme bruising and a wound to his arm, thanks to a set of “bulletproof underwear,” which was described as being as soft as cotton, but reacting to any sudden impact by stiffening into an impenetrable wall, spreading said impact over his entire torso.

(The arm was wounded because it wasn’t covered by the underwear, of course. The attacker was going for a head shot to finish him off, but he instinctively threw up his arms, and the arm bone deflected the bullet enough to protect his skull.)

Somehow I doubt that this is quite as good as the fictional stuff, but it’s definitely headed that way. Come on guys, where’s that personal jetpack you promised us sixty years ago? 😉