Hugo Gernsback (1884-1967) has sometimes been called "The Father of Science Fiction." His contributions to the genre are legion and the most prestigious award for literature in the genre is named after him: The Hugos which are presented during the annual World Science Fiction Convention.  He founded the first genre magazine Amazing Stories in 1926. He even organized the first fandom group. This particular story was serialized in the magazine Modern Electronics in 1911; later compiled into novel form in 1925.  This novel has garnered both accolades for its almost prescient plot devices but also detractors for its poor literary style.  It was time I read it.

The thin plot revolves around a man living in NYC who is known as one of the premier scientists of his time (year 2660); almost described as a superman both physically and mentally.  He has spent his life coddled and protected by the government and completely absorbed by his work…until he meets a women quite by chance.  He takes a 'wrong number' call and meets a young woman in Switzerland. As it happens, while they are conversing, an avalanche is threatening her home.  He does some fantastical science-y stuff and saves her; long-distance.  Later she comes to NYC to personally thank him and he is instantly smitten. Unfortunately, she has two unwelcome suitors: another scientist and a Martian.  These two end up threatening her and ultimately kidnapping her; prompting Ralph to take action.

The accolades for the story's prescience is warranted.  Gernsback was positively visionary in what he wanted and expected from the future.  He used the story as a platform to explain his theoretical inventions such as weather control, personal flying transports, electric cars, solar panels, and a sort of fax machine.  There were other ideas that didn't quite hit the mark such as an ether wave radar, gyroscopic propulsion (to travel to other worlds), a magnetic underground train tube, and a way to raise the dead.  He never concerned himself with practical applications or even current science. The most fascinating idea, to this reader, was a picture phone with a universal translator.  Significantly, for me, was Gernsback's lack of prescience regarding women and how their place in the world would change.  There were moments I just had to shake my head in dismay.

It was also fascinating to me to find this reprinted edition that I read included an introduction by Jack Williamson who had made some very uncomplimentary observations about Gernsback's business style having had to sue him to get paid. I can't quite understand why Williamson was so complimentary in his introduction.

But the story itself?  Not good, not interesting, not well-written, etc. All those detractors were correct.  I found myself rapidly skimming through his expository explanations just to get to the end.  It was interesting only in its historic context.  ~~  Catherine Book