Share

cover art for The Weapon by Isaac Asimov - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1940s

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

The Weapon by Isaac Asimov - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1940s

Ep. 215

“You ask us of Mars for a weapon to save your world. We have it–but it is not for you Earthman. Men may die and planets perish, but we break not the law of the universe–Every civilization must work out its own destiny!” The Weapon by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.


When we started The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast a little over two years ago we had no idea what to expect, would anybody listen? Would anybody care? That’s why you’re overwhelming worldwide support means so much to us.


Curious Jon showed his support by buying us 3 coffees. Thanks Curious Jon. If you would like to buy us a coffee there’s a link in the description.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV


We get more requests for today’s author than anybody else. He was 18 years old when he wrote this story in 1938, it wasn’t published until 1942, under a pseudonym. Perhaps because he used a pseudonym he forgot that this story was ever published and so, assuming it had been rejected and believing he no longer had a copy of it he didn't include it in a collection of his earliest stories in 1972. In that book he listed today’s story among the eleven of his short stories that has been lost forever.


Seven years later in 1979 while writing the first volume of his autobiography he came across an entry in his diary that reminded him that the story had indeed been published.


This story truly is “lost sci-fi”. From the pages of Super Science Stories in May 1942, let’s turn to page 115. H. B. Ogden was credited in the publication with having written this story, but we know that it was really written by a legendary sci-fi author, The Weapon by Isaac Asimov…


Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, To the mighty lords of infinity he sent a burning message–“You can deny a man everything–everything but his heritage… the stars!” Outcast of the Stars by Ray Bradbury.


☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV


===========================

👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com

===========================


===========================

Connect with us!

🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgyNZ7w5w7O714NHkRv5psA

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcast

Twitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi

===========================


❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee

$200 Someone


$75 James Van Maanenberg


$50 Anonymous Listener


$25 Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener


$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener


$10 Anonymous Listener


$5 Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 253. Derelict by Alan E. Nourse - Sci Fi Short Stories From the 1950s

    53:58||Ep. 253
    What was the mystery of this great ship from the dark, deep reaches of space? For, within its death-filled chambers—was the avenue of life! Derelict by Alan E. Nourse, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We heard Alan E. Nourse three times in the first thirty-four episodes of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast but he hasn’t been heard from in almost two years. We will remedy that today with a spacefaring saga that is sure to delight your ears.Pick up your May 1953 issue of If World of Science Fiction magazine and turn to page 76, Derelict by Alan E. Nourse…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, It's one thing to blow a bubble of glib, journalistic lies. Quite another to have that bubble burst in a nightmarish, green beyond. The Man Who Found Out by Roger D. Aycock.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 252. Second Census by John Victor Peterson - Sci Fi Short Story From the 1950s

    32:23||Ep. 252
    Quintuplets alone would be bad enough, without a census taker who could count them in advance! Second Census by John Victor Peterson, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We’ve done it once again, found an author that we know almost nothing about. We don’t know when or where he was born or when he passed. But John Victor Peterson wrote more than most authors who remain almost unknown. Almost twenty published short stories and one novel, beginning with Martyrs Don't Mind Dying in 1938 and ending with The Amnesic Men in 1959.Today’s tale was published in October 1957 in Infinity Science Fiction magazine on page 112, Second Census by John Victor Peterson…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, What was the mystery of this great ship from the dark, deep reaches of space? For, within its death-filled chambers—was the avenue of life! Derelict by Alan E. Nourse.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 251. Travel by Wire by Arthur C. Clarke - The First Published Story by Arthur C. Clarke

    16:09||Ep. 251
    Travel by Wire by Arthur C. Clark, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Today on the podcast you will hear the very first published story written by then 19 year old Arthur C. Clarke. It’s a story we probably never would have discovered if not for sci-fi aficionado Jesse Willis. In fact, there are many stories you have heard that he has shared with us. He has a database of more than 7,000 pdf files that you can download and enjoy and a lot more too, at https://www.sffaudio.com.Your 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts never get old. The latest was written by WillEKY, who says, “My favorite podcast. I love this selection of vintage science fiction stories. They are always interesting and entertaining. Narrator and curator Scott Miller does a good job of balancing his own taste for obscure works with popular demand for stories from bigger name authors. High quality narration from a former television professional. My goal was to listen to every episode before leaving this well-earned 5 star review but I realized that the backlog is so deep and the pace at which Scott produces new stories is so steady that it will be a longtime before I’m caught up.” Thanks WillEKY for your outstanding review.Thanks to you we recently became the #1 science fiction podcast in Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. We also achieved the rare status of being #1 for all fiction podcasts as well as the #1 science fiction podcast in Bulgaria at the same time. Thank you for all you do to support, promote, share and listen to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Douglas W. F. Mayer was a science fiction fan in Leeds, England in the 1930s. He was a founder, along with two others, of Chapter 17 of the Science Fiction League, which was the first in the UK. He was the editor of three issues of the UK publication titled “Amateur Science Stories”. And that’s where we will find today’s debut of a then unknown Arthur C. Clarke. On page 9 of Volume 1 No 2 of “Amateur Science Stories”, Travel by Wire by Arthur C. Clark…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Quintuplets alone would be bad enough, without a census taker who could count them in advance! Second Census by John Victor Peterson.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 250. Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury - Early Ray Bradbury Short Stories

    42:25||Ep. 250
    All of us have a purpose in life; among us are those whose duty is to act as guardians for those who have a mission to perform. Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Today’s story appeared on the cover of Amazing Stories in December 1944. Turn to page 12, Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The first story ever published by Arthur C. Clarke.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us! 🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 249. Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1940s

    17:26||Ep. 249
    The Master Astrologer was willing to give his life—if only the torch of what little learning existed in the land could be passed on. Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Let’s turn back the clock 82 years to the Spring 1942 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly. This is our second story from that issue, not that long ago we heard from George R. Hahn and Gangway for Homer. Open the magazine to page 118, Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, All of us have a purpose in life; among us are those whose duty is to act as guardians for those who have a mission to perform. Undersea Guardians by Ray Bradbury.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us! 🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 248. On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone - Short Science Fiction Story From the 1960s

    50:02||Ep. 248
    To Kworn the object was a roadblock, threatening his life. But it was also a high road to a magnificent future! On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Another 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts Australia, psiberlife says, “Excellent. The best reader you could hope for with the best stories.” Thanks psiberlife!If you’ve ever thought about buying Lost Sci-Fi merchandise this would be a perfect time to do it. 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.comGo to our online store, there’s a link in the description, pick out whatever you like and send us an email with the link to that item or items and we will lower the price as much as we can. You get exactly what you want and you save money. Send your email to scott@lostscifi.com.Author J. F. Bone returns to the podcast today with a story from Galaxy Magazine in April 1963. Turn to page 138, On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The Master Astrologer was willing to give his life—if only the torch of what little learning existed in the land could be passed on. Saknarth by Donald A. Wollheim.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV=========================== 👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us! 🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 247. The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester - Time Travel Short Science Fiction Story From the 1940s

    24:32||Ep. 247
    Out of time he came–to steal unpublished stories and leave immortality as his payment. The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Bester is back, Alfred Bester that is. We heard from him not that long ago with a terrific tale, Fondly Fahrenheit. If you missed it I highly recommend you give it a listen. The Unseen Blushers is an intriguing time travel story about writers talking about writing, published in Astonishing Stories in June 1942. We will find what we’re looking for on page 84, The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, To Kworn the object was a roadblock, threatening his life. But it was also a high road to a magnificent future! On the Fourth Planet by J. F. Bone.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV===========================👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi===========================❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 246. Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey - A Time Travel Sci Fi Short Story From the 1950s

    12:12||Ep. 246
    If time-travel is possible, then why haven't we been visited by people from the future? But Pete LeFranc found the answer to that… Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Lester Del Rey was the 11th Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master, the SFWA presented him with the award in 1991. There have only been forty men and women honored as Grand Masters since the award was first given to Robert A. Heinlein in 1975.From Science Fiction Quarterly in May 1951 our story can be found on page 53, Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Out of time he came–to steal unpublished stories and leave immortality as his payment. The Unseen Blushers by Alfred Bester.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV===========================👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi===========================❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 245. The Beast of Boredom by Richard R. Smith - A Martian and Time Travel

    32:01||Ep. 245
    The Beast of Boredom wasn't a weapon or a bribe, as he thought. But it was the most ingenious trap of all time! The Beast of Boredom by Richard R. Smith, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Thanks to Tif Love who bought us a coffee and says, “I listen to your podcast, and absolutely love it. So I just listened to “All the Girls were Nude” and I’m pretty sure this was well-known in some circles by the 80s, because when I was a child I would browse the back of dirty magazines in the grocery store (while moms shopped lol) and they were always advertising X-ray glasses. I found a lot the stories and ads more interesting than the nudity, I was different. Hilariously this story was probably where those ads got their start!” Thanks Tif for buying us a coffee and your interesting comment!If you would like to buy us a coffee there is a link in the description. ☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVAnother 5 star review on Apple Podcasts. This from I ❤️ Asimov, “Wonderful podcast! Best I’ve heard!” Thanks I ❤️ Asimov, we appreciate you. Did you know that you can leave a comment on Apple Podcasts even if you listen to us somewhere else? You can, and we would appreciate your 5 star review if you think we deserve it. Reviews encourage people who have never listened to give us a try.Richard R. Smith has been on the podcast before with Alien Equivalent. Todays’s story appears in the April 1958 issue of Infinity Science Fiction Magazine on page 46, The Beast of Boredom by Richard R. Smith…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, If time-travel is possible, then why haven't we been visited by people from the future? But Pete LeFranc found the answer to that.. Absolutely No Paradox by Lester Del Rey.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV===========================👕 Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com===========================Connect with us!🎧 Join Our Newsletter - Get Free Audiobooks http://lostscifi.com/free/Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lostscifi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi===========================❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener