02599cam a22003853u 4500 59314 UtSlPG 20260610134351.0 m cr n 260607r2019||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001 Snowball Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2019 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, May 1955 Release date is 2019-04-20 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Snowball" by Poul Anderson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story explores the profound implications of a groundbreaking invention by Simon Arch—a material with unprecedented electrical properties that can be easily produced at home. The narrative delves into the societal and economic upheaval that ensues as this new source of energy threatens established industries and exacerbates class tensions, reflecting on themes of individualism versus corporate power and the potential for both disaster and innovation. At the heart of "Snowball" is Simon Arch, a physicist who, alongside his wife Elizabeth, discovers a dielectric material known as capacitite, which can revolutionize energy storage and distribution. Their invention quickly attracts attention but also leads to unintended consequences as people begin to produce it on a massive scale, challenging the existing power structures. Amidst a backdrop of social unrest, Arch grapples with the ethical ramifications of his creation, which is increasingly used for both constructive and destructive purposes. The story culminates in a reflection on human resilience and adaptability as communities begin to rediscover autonomy and self-sufficiency, ultimately finding hope in the possibilities of new technologies. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Inventors -- Fiction Massachusetts -- Fiction Social change -- Fiction Spouses -- Fiction Freas, Kelly, 1922-2005 Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, May 1955 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59314 100140 100140