Rossum's Universal Robots: A Fantastic Melodrama in Three Acts and an Epilogue

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

"

First performed in1921, Rossum's Universal Robots: A Fantastic Melodrama in Three Acts and an Epilogue is an influential science fiction play that introduced the word, robot to the English language and the science fiction genre at large. In 1932, Helena Glory, President of the League of Humanity, heads to the island factory of Rossums Universal Robots to learn about the history and current condition of the robots from the General Manager, Harry Domin. Dissatisfied with their lot in life, she advocates for their liberation with little success; the heads of the company believe robots to be little more than machinery and Domin only desires to be married to Helena immediately. Believing her efforts to be in vain, she leaves the factory and goes through with the engagement, unaware that Dr. Gall, the head of physiological and experimental departments has taken what she said to heart. Altering the formula that makes this artificial life to make them more like human beings, Dr. Gall unwittingly sets the human and robot worlds into conflict. Professionally typeset with a beautifully designed cover, this edition of Rossums Universal Robots is a science fiction classic, reimagined for the modern reader.

"

Author Bio

Karel apek(1890 - 1938) was a Czech author, playwright and critic best known for his contributions to the science fiction genre. Born in Mal Svatoovice, apek was the youngest child of a doctor and a homemaker, he had a successful albeit turbulent academic career, ending with the reception of his Doctorate of Philosophy in 1915. Getting his professional start to writing as a journalist and editor for Nrodn listy (The National Newspaper) with his brother Josef, apek saw his first success with the publication of Rossum's Universal Robots. The play was a critical darling and is known for its introduction of the word "robot," to the English language and the science fiction genre at large. He went on to write five more plays including Pictures from the Insects' Life (1921) The Makropulos Affair (1922) as well as at least a dozen more books varying from fiction to non-fiction.