Readers of AMAZING STORIES have clamored for a sequel to the famous story, "The Skylark of Space" ... Except that "Skylark Three" is more thrilling, more exciting and even more chockful of science than the other!
"All right--but I'll bet it's slower than the rise of a toy balloon." Seaton threw down the papers and picked up his slide-rule, a twenty-inch trigonometrical duplex. "You'll concede that it is allowable to neglect the radial component of the orbital velocity of the earth for a first approximation, won't you--or shall I figure that in too?"
"You may ignore that factor."
"All right--let's see. Radius of rotation here in Washington would be cosine latitude times equatorial radius, approximately--call it thirty-two hundred miles. Angular velocity, fifteen degrees an hour. I want secant fifteen less one times thirty-two hundred. Right? Secant equals one over cosine--um-m-m-m--one point oh three five. Then point oh three five times thirty-two hundred. Hundred and twelve miles first hour. Velocity constant with respect to sun, accelerated respecting point of departure. Ouch! You win, Mart--I'd kinda step out! Well, how about this, then? I'll put on a vacuum suit and carry rations. Harness outs
The Skylark series was one of my favorites in my youth, and I've reread it many times since. It's definitely "space opera" on a grand scale. Although this story came out in 1930, it includes two of my favorite software-relevant quotes:
(1) "As for testing, know now that only mechanisms built by bunglers require testing. Properly built machines work properly." (page 91)
( My software test engineer found that one amusing.)
(2)"That is better, son. Never forget that it is a waste of energy to do the same thing twice with your hands and that if you know precisely what is to be done, you need not do it with your hands at all. Forces are tireless, and they neither slip nor make mistakes."(page 119)
Space Opera at it's best. It's a toss up to me which series is funner. This one or the Lensman series. I remember reading this as a kid and still enjoy it years later.
Make no mistake - this is not about dialog - this is not about plot development - this is about Grand Adventure - 1920's Buck Rodgers style !
