Robert Heinlein: Brilliant Science Fiction Writer And True Visionary

      Robert Heinlein is a brilliant and prolific author of science fiction that you may or may not have heard of. He was born in Missouri in 1907. He graduated from the U.S. Navy Academy in 1929 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He began his career flying biplanes off the deck of aircraft carriers. His health deteriorated, He was taken off flying planes and made a surface warfare officer. In 1934, tuberculosis infected him. He got a medical discharge from the US Navy. This was a blessing in disguise. Had Heinlein stayed in the US Navy, he might have been killed in World War II.

    After recovering from his illness, Heinlein was thrown out on the very cruel job market of the great depression. There was little demand for engineers. Heinlein supported himself by doing odd jobs. He loved to read science fiction magazines. One day he saw an advertisement seeking articles for a science fiction magazine. He wrote a short article and submitted it. His career as a science fiction writer was launched. His foray into science fiction novels began with writing books for young people. When I was a young man, I would spend many afternoons mesmerized while reading one of his books for young people. Heinlein went on to write some brilliant books for adults including "Stranger In A Strange Land" (Absolutely a work of genius.) He was involved with several film projects including “Destination Moon (Academy Award winner)," "Abbot and Costello Go To Mars," "Project Moon Base (Controversial in 1953 because the lead character was a very strong woman.)," and "Starship Troopers."

    Years ago, I bought a leather-bound complete collection of all of Heinlein's works. Included in the collection of his works are three large books containing all his correspondence from 1939 to 1988. I have started to read the first large volume. Most of it is extensive correspondence between Heinlein and one of his publishers, John Campbell. I read with fascination letters from exactly 83 years ago. Both men understood that nuclear weapons were coming. They understood that nuclear reactors could power submarines. They understood that nuclear power could be used to produce large quantities of cheap electricity.