From HARRY HARRISON
Frank Everest has a fine memory (Letters, 9 July). In my novel Bill,
the Galactic Hero I did invent a faster-than-light drive some years before
Star Trek existed. I wanted to parody all the nonsensical science-fictional
FTL drives, so created one – I thought – that would be even more fantastic.
When the drive was turned on the binding energy in the molecules of
the spaceship was weakened. This allowed the vehicle to swell enormously
and, like a stretched rubber band, the front end moved out to its distant
destination. Then, when the drive – the rubber band – was relaxed at the
starting point, it shrunk back to its original size. And lo! the ship was
at its destination. I called this the Bloater Drive.
Harry Harrison Dublin, Ireland
