Toy Shop
by Harry Harrison (1925–2012)
- Free to read
- 10 min read
- Reading level: 6th grade
"Toy Shop" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction short story that was likely written in the early 1960s. This story explores themes of illusion, scientific curiosity, and the potential for unexpected breakthroughs in technology, focusing on the world of seemingly simple toys that may conceal deeper scientific principles. The narrative revolves around Colonel "Biff" Hawton, who becomes intrigued by a toy rocket ship that appears to defy the laws of physics through an impressive demonstration. The gadget is revealed to be nothing more than a cleverly rigged illusion using an invisible thread, yet it triggers a profound insight among several missile men who observe it. They come to realize that while the toy itself is a mere trick, there lies a fractional weight decrease that might hint at a groundbreaking discovery. The story ultimately suggests that innovations can sometimes emerge from unexpected sources, leading to significant advancements in technology and space travel.
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Read the opening
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
The gadget was strictly,
beyond any question, a toy.
Not a real, workable device.
Except for the way it could work
under a man's mental skin....
Because there were few adults in the crowd, and Colonel "Biff" Hawton stood over six feet tall, he could see every detail of the demonstration. The children—and most of the parents—gaped in wide-eyed wonder. Biff Hawton was too sophisticated to be awed. He stayed on because he wanted to find out what the trick was that made the gadget work.
"It's all explained right here in your instruction book," the demonstrator said, holding up a garishly printed booklet opened to a four-color diagram. "You all know how magnets pick up things and I bet you even know that the earth itself is one great big magnet—that's why compasses always point north. Well ... the Atomic Wonder Space Wave Tapper hangs onto those space waves. Invisibly all about us, and even going right through us, are the magnetic waves of the earth. The Atomic Wonder rides these waves just the way a ship rides the waves in the ocean. Now watch...."
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About this edition
This free edition of Toy Shop by Harry Harrison comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #22966, released 2007-10-12. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Science-Fiction & Fantasy.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
