This was an old time-machine story by, perhaps, Harlan Ellison. He was not someone I read much, but this story mischievously returns to mind whenever I see three generations of a family, retrogressing from (say) a famous scientist, to his son - a distinguished but uninspired professor, to his son in turn - a fantasy writer.
An assortment of VIPs (something like 6 scientists and 2 politicians) gathers to witness the first experimental test of a time-machine. Someone, I think, was supposed to go back in time, but the machine appears to be a failure. Disappointed, they depart.
Replay. An assortment of VIPs with some oddballs (something like 2 scientists, 5 politicians, and a screwball) gathers to witness the first experimental test of a time-machine. The machine appears to be a failure. Disappointed, they depart.
Replay ... and replay repeatedly. Eventually, an assortment of oddballs including a few kids and a dog gather to witness the demonstration of some "time-machine", a fancy contraption put together out of springs and old wire. They even push the control lever, but of course nothing happens, as expected.
Does anyone know the title? Sorry for the incorrect details, but this story had a curious rhythm which I was trying to emulate.
An assortment of VIPs (something like 6 scientists and 2 politicians) gathers to witness the first experimental test of a time-machine. Someone, I think, was supposed to go back in time, but the machine appears to be a failure. Disappointed, they depart.
Replay. An assortment of VIPs with some oddballs (something like 2 scientists, 5 politicians, and a screwball) gathers to witness the first experimental test of a time-machine. The machine appears to be a failure. Disappointed, they depart.
Replay ... and replay repeatedly. Eventually, an assortment of oddballs including a few kids and a dog gather to witness the demonstration of some "time-machine", a fancy contraption put together out of springs and old wire. They even push the control lever, but of course nothing happens, as expected.
Does anyone know the title? Sorry for the incorrect details, but this story had a curious rhythm which I was trying to emulate.
