Let There Be Light (short Story) - Summary

Summary

The story concerns the invention of "light panels" - devices which turn electrical power directly into light (similar to LEDs, invented in 1962). In the course of their discovery, the inventors also discover that these panels can also be used to derive power from light. In attempting to bring their discovery to market, they encounter the active opposition of the Power Syndicate, a conglomeration of energy-producing companies dedicated to preserving their monopoly on power production. Rather than trying to maintain a patent on their invention, the scientists then publicly release the scientific details of their discovery for a small royalty, allowing anyone to obtain their own power, and thus outwitting the Power Syndicate. Douglas-Martin sunpower screens appear in several other Heinlein stories, such as "The Roads Must Roll".

Robert A. Heinlein's Future History
Collections
  • The Past Through Tomorrow
  • The Man Who Sold the Moon
  • The Green Hills of Earth
  • Orphans of the Sky
  • Revolt in 2100
  • The Worlds of Robert A. Heinlein
  • Expanded Universe
Short
stories
  • "Life-Line"
  • "Let There Be Light"
  • "The Roads Must Roll"
  • "Blowups Happen"
  • "The Man Who Sold the Moon"
  • "Delilah and the Space Rigger"
  • "Space Jockey"
  • "Requiem"
  • "The Long Watch"
  • "Gentlemen, Be Seated!"
  • "The Black Pits of Luna"
  • "It's Great to Be Back!"
  • "—We Also Walk Dogs"
  • "Searchlight"
  • "Ordeal in Space"
  • "The Green Hills of Earth"
  • "Logic of Empire"
  • "The Menace from Earth"
  • "If This Goes On—"
  • "Coventry"
  • "Misfit"
  • "Universe"
  • "Common Sense"
Novels
  • Methuselah's Children
  • Time Enough for Love
  • To Sail Beyond the Sunset
  • The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
  • The Number of the Beast

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