Why Sci-Fi 02 H. G. Wells

Why Sci-Fi 02
Science fiction supplies, not only enjoyment to readers, it also provides futuristic ideas to humankind. If we look at early science fiction authors and their work, we see visions of the future that have come to fruition: space travel, amazing weaponry, computer systems, and air travel to name a few.

One of history’s great writers is H. G. Wells, one of the Fathers of Science Fiction. Wells was born Bromley, England on September 21, 1866 and died August 13, 1946. His works rank among the most popular of all time.
H. G. Wells, English author, sociologist, journalist, historian, prolific writer, wrote more than 100 books. He wrote two on my favorite novels, The Time Machine and War of the Worlds. Both stories made it to the silver screen. For that matter, several of his creations made the same journey: The Invisible Man, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The First Men in the Moon, and others.
Wells was a creative and forward thinking individual. War of the Worlds introduced the concept of a force-field that protected the alien ships from our attacks. Did his Invisible Man, which displayed the nightmare a scientist created with his own experiments, introduce the concept of angst?

In addition to his fiction work, Wells wrote non-fiction. Here’s a partial list of titles: An Englishman Looks at the World, The War and Socialism, A Short History of Mankind, The Outline of History and the Science of Life. The list of his writings could fill pages. It’s difficult to imagine one person publishing all this knowledge, especially from an era that didn’t have computers, the Internet or word processors to assist in the monumental task of providing such pleasure to humankind.

One of his quotes: “After people have repeated a phrase a great number of times, they begin to realize it has meaning and may even be true.” He also said, “Advertising is legalized lying,” which aligns him with the thinking of Eric Blair, whom most know as George Orwell, who said, “Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.”
Obviously, Wells was a knowledgeable writer, well versed in human activity, science, and the potential humans have to create. He provided hours of enjoyment to readers.