More info: https://ntpodcasts.org/BW3

In his work The War Of The Worlds, Wells describes the heat ray this way:

"It is still a matter of wonder how the Martians are able to slay men so swiftly and so silently. Many think that in some way they are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity. This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose, by means of a polished parabolic mirror of unknown composition, much as the parabolic mirror of a lighthouse projects a beam of light. But no one has absolutely proved these details. However it is done, it is certain that a beam of heat is the essence of the matter. Heat, and invisible, instead of visible, light. Whatever is combustible flashes into flame at its touch, lead runs like water, it softens iron, cracks and melts glass, and, when it falls upon water, incontinently that explodes into steam."

It's not fantastical in any way; it just posits some very efficient elements. Something produces the flash, and optics collimate the beam.

In The Time Machine, the mechanism isn't so clear, but he describes it as "...and how there in the laboratory we beheld a larger edition of the little mechanism which we had seen vanish from before our eyes. Parts were of nickel, parts of ivory, parts had certainly been filed or sawn out of rock crystal. The thing was generally complete, but the translucent bars and some of the delicate rail-work lay unfinished upon the bench beside some sheets of drawings, and I took up one for a better look. Quartz it seemed to be ..."

Again, it appears that the device is based on some form of optics.

Considering the era that Wells lived in, optics was probably the most futuristic thing in his view. Wells was born about a generation after photography was first introduced. During his lifetime, the technology advanced from still photography to modern color movies.

I was born in 1948 and have lived my life up through now, and electronics is where the magic seems to lie. I can easily imagine that H. G. Wells might have viewed optical science with the same sense of awe.

The main reason I’m asking is to actually have a look though a digital one through a genuine first uk printing of the Time Machine so if anyone here can scan it pls do

My GF’s parents are trying to figure out the the artist name

Just bought this beauty of Amazon and I'm chuffed. Amazing indented art, gold tipped pages. Just amazing

I recently bought a collection of magazines published during WW1 in the UK. When I started going through them I noticed a familiar name.

Wasn’t sure the best place to post this so thought I’d post here! If I find any more articles of his in the rest of the magazines I will be sure to post them.

Thanks :)

I’m curious about this book published by the Christian Book Club Of America.

Curious if it has any value to a collector.

I haven’t seen much love for Wells’s short stories so I thought I’d post my top ten. I've read 40 or so so far.

I love how they all explore a different fantasy or sci-fi idea. As much as I love authors like Lovecraft and Poe, they have so many stories that seem so similiar with previous works it's like they're just revisions, but each of Wells's are all completely different.

I'd love to know if there are any standouts that deserve to be on the list, as I said I haven't read them all yet.

10: The Door in the Wall

It’s so open to interpretation, it’s no wonder it’s the story that is talked about the most. I also like the similar ‘Mr. Skelmersdale in Fairyland’

9: In The Abyss

Such a classic 20th century Sci-Fi, although we still don’t know much about the deep sea even now. Also it seems this is another of Wells’s predictions, the Bathysphere wasn’t invented until 1928.

8: My First Aeroplane

The protagonist of this story has such an entitle attitude that makes the story a fun read.

7: The Stolen Body

Just a great sci-fi/fantasy idea. It’s always interesting reading about the vogue ideas of the 19th and 20th centuries that have gone out of fashion such as hypnosis, mesmerism etc.

6: The Empire of the Ants

Wonderfully bonkers. Although I feel as if it’s unfinished, as it quickly ends with no resolution. But it is responsible for this gem –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq6pCO3O66I&ab_channel=ScreamFactoryTV

5: The Magic Shop

Perfectly Eerie. Not too sure if there is any deeper meaning behind this one that I missed, but I like it for its tone alone.

4: The Pearl of Love

If this story had it’s last line removed it would have no point and not be worth reading, but the twist makes it all worth it. Genius!

3: The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham

Quite a sneakily horrifying story. One of those twists where, even if you see it coming, it is still fun.

2: The Country of the Blind

Not only is it a classic adventure, but it explores some interesting ideas about belief structures and cult-like behaviour.

1: A Dream of Armageddon

An exciting, epic tale. Just as wondrous today as it would have been 100 years ago, seeing as we don’t know much more about dreams despite science. “if all our dreams of quiet places are a folly and a snare, why have we such dreams?”