E. E. "Doc" Smith

Well, well. So that's what he had a PhD in.

I suppose this means that the gathering of the super drug thionite
("...as
much deadlier than cocaine as that drug is than coffee...") was the most

realistic part of the books, right?:)

(Admittedly, physics gives more fantastic space opera than agricultural
chemistry:

"Great Klono! Boskone has developed a new breed of super-macro-rust! By
this time next season, all our corn crops will be so much mushy red paste!"

"Don't worry, Chief. I'll call Lensmen Kinnison and his squadron of Valerian
farmers!"

"We can set up a battery of VYM coruscant-force sun lamps, too - that'll

help keep the stuff at bay!"

"QX...go to it!")

------------snip--------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 20:57:08 EDTFrom: Popeyesays@aol.com
Subject: Re: Lasers can't be defended against?
In a message dated 4/26/00 7:40:49 PM Central Daylight
Time,nyrath@clark.net writes:<< Heh. I remember in the old E.E."Doc" Smith
LENSMAN novels (circa 1940) they use magnesium "star shells" in their space
battles, in order to illuminate the combatants in the darkness of deep space.
>>
"Doc"'s PhD was in Agricultural Chemistry - not physics. I have
anumbered and autographed first edition of his second lensman book with a
tatteredbut intact dustcover if anyone is seriously interested.