Is there any material/device invented to quickly connect SOIC-14 like integrated circuits to, eg, breadboard? I am aware of adapter boards, but what if I want something without soldering? (I am not speaking of very high frequencies and too complex SMDs)
For example, if I remember correctly, I saw similar technology used for small LCD displays (where some kind of resin and evenly spaced wires provided very fine connection from the board to the LCD), so I guess, this kind of technique is possible. SOIC 14, in this example, would require two such "wired pillow" connection terminals, which can be mapped to pins and/or wires.
Is there anything like this existing? Or maybe something with similar purpose, but universal enough to be useful with several cases?
UPDATE: There are prototype boards in existence, which make it much easier (and cheaper) to work with SMDs, eg http://www.whitewing.co.uk/protoboard.html . I wish, there were more such boards available for all kinds of SMDs.
UPDATE2: Actually, I have found anything I needed here: http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/ It seems, they have adapters for nearly everything. ZIF sockets, proposed in the answer, are also quite convenient in use.
Best Answer
Common practice is to use a ZIF adapter, aka programming socket adapter, test socket, etc, for the relevant IC form factor. For SOIC 16 through 24, for instance, this adapter ($13.99 on eBay) can be used:
Such ZIF sockets exist for several standard SMD IC formats.
The resin-like conducting strips used in LCDs are called elastomeric connectors, and are available in various pin pitches:
These can be purchased in long strips and cut up for use on a DIP adapter, but there don't seem to be any such adapters available on the sites I know of.