The Light Machine

by Ray Cummings

"The Light Machine" by Ray Cummings follows Tubby and his friends as they encounter the mysterious professor Obadiah Oats and his invention, the Light Machine. Through this invention, the professor demonstrates how light can reveal images of the past, captivating Tubby with a vivid scene from ancient Rome. The story explores themes of curiosity, discovery, and the wonder of technology, leaving Tubby and his friends in awe of the incredible possibilities unlocked by the Light Machine.

Genres: Science Fiction

16 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2024

About the author

Raymond King Cummings. His career resulted in some 750 novels and short stories, using also the pen names Ray King, Gabrielle Cummings, and Gabriel Wilson.

See Wikipedia

Reviews

[rebekka · Rating 2 out of 5]

The issue here is that the story lacks the narrative techniques, which makes it less satisfying. Like most of the time, it seemed the author tried to lecture us about astrophysics and light. Yeah, it was good because we could get a glimpse of what was happening during that era or what the author thought about theories and hypotheses that surrended him. Plus, it was also very surprising to see the name of Einstein. However, as I indicated, there is poor storytelling, yet it will also be a cruel to say this since it's a really short story too.

I liked the appearance of the professor but like come on, some hideous and unexpected being comes to you and be like, hey I'm a professor of light and across the street I have my laboratory, come and see it, oh they all told me you are the most wise man, sell my machine,

“I built it; and now you are going to help me make money out of it.”

Duh, how did Tubby believe him, especially when the professor said,

"And I know all about it—all.”

Doesn't everything seem so suspicious? I find it comical how he trusted and followed him, haha.
I unfortunately don't know and follow up these things, but Oats Theory of the Rationality of Light sounds interesting!

"Their theories do not coincide with recognized physical laws (...) astronomical outcasts—mathematical lepers—scientific pariahs—"

I see some diss right here aye.