Art by Frank R. Paul for “The Murgatroyd Experiment” by Captain S.P. Meek, U.S.A., in “Amazing Stories Quarterly,” Vol. 2, No. 1 (Winter, 1929).
“Here is one of the most amazing stories that it has ever been our good fortune to present to our readers. The story fairly takes your breath away, and for sheer daring, exciting narration and excellent science, you will have to go a long way to surpass it.
“We welcome our new author to our ever-growing list of contributors, and it is our great hope that we may be fortunate enough to present our readers with more stories from his capable pen.” [Editor’s Note]
“It was in 2060 that the Inter-racial Committee realized that the abolition of war and the practical elimination of disease, those two great population-controlling factors had enabled the population to increase to such an extent that the world was not large enough to produce the food supplies needed, even with the conversion of all available energy into matter. . .
“Consequently, I was present when Doctor Murgatroyd presented his case before the Sub-committee on Science. His work in the field of plant biology was sufficient to warrant him a respectful hearing, even had not the magnetic personality of the man been sufficient to demand what was freely given to his scientific attainments. The Sub-committee listened carefully to the words of the huge figure that stood before them, punctuating his well-chosen phrases with energetic shakes of his leonine head crowned with a mop of shaggy grey hair. . .
“It is my opinion,” said Dr. Murgatroyd, “that it is possible to replace the hematin of the blood by superchlorophyll or some other related substance and thus enable mankind to utilize directly the energy derived from the sun. Should my theory be correct, mankind can subsist on water and a small amount of dissolved mineral matter with the aid of sunlight. Agriculture will be unnecessary and the enormous space devoted to the raising of plants can be utilized for dwelling space. The food supply of the world will be increased by over five thousand per cent and the danger of world-wide starvation removed. . .” [Quoting the story]
After a long deliberation, the Subcommittee agrees to authorize Dr. Murgatroyd’s experiment, granting him the space, money and assistants needed to carry on the work. Over time, many chlorophyl-based humans are created, with dire and unforeseen long-term consequences, including a revolt – Dr. Moreau style. Humankind does survive in spite of the problems. There is a happy ending.
Art by Frank R. Paul for “The Murgatroyd Experiment” by Captain S.P. Meek, U.S.A., in “Amazing Stories Quarterly,” Vol. 2, No. 1 (Winter, 1929).
“Here is one of the most amazing stories that it has ever been our good fortune to present to our readers. The story fairly takes your breath away, and for sheer daring, exciting narration and excellent science, you will have to go a long way to surpass it.
“We welcome our new author to our ever-growing list of contributors, and it is our great hope that we may be fortunate enough to present our readers with more stories from his capable pen.” [Editor’s Note]
“It was in 2060 that the Inter-racial Committee realized that the abolition of war and the practical elimination of disease, those two great population-controlling factors had enabled the population to increase to such an extent that the world was not large enough to produce the food supplies needed, even with the conversion of all available energy into matter. . .
“Consequently, I was present when Doctor Murgatroyd presented his case before the Sub-committee on Science. His work in the field of plant biology was sufficient to warrant him a respectful hearing, even had not the magnetic personality of the man been sufficient to demand what was freely given to his scientific attainments. The Sub-committee listened carefully to the words of the huge figure that stood before them, punctuating his well-chosen phrases with energetic shakes of his leonine head crowned with a mop of shaggy grey hair. . .
“It is my opinion,” said Dr. Murgatroyd, “that it is possible to replace the hematin of the blood by superchlorophyll or some other related substance and thus enable mankind to utilize directly the energy derived from the sun. Should my theory be correct, mankind can subsist on water and a small amount of dissolved mineral matter with the aid of sunlight. Agriculture will be unnecessary and the enormous space devoted to the raising of plants can be utilized for dwelling space. The food supply of the world will be increased by over five thousand per cent and the danger of world-wide starvation removed. . .” [Quoting the story]
After a long deliberation, the Subcommittee agrees to authorize Dr. Murgatroyd’s experiment, granting him the space, money and assistants needed to carry on the work. Over time, many chlorophyl-based humans are created, with dire and unforeseen long-term consequences, including a revolt – Dr. Moreau style. Humankind does survive in spite of the problems. There is a happy ending.