R. U. R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)

We have Czech writer Karel Čapek to thank for the invention of the word robot and generally for the introduction of the idea of artificial intelligence to the world of literature. His play, “R. U. R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)” was written in 1920 and was first performed in 1921. The play was an instant success and was translated into over 30 languages within two years of its first performance. The play begins in a factory that makes the “robots”, which could be more accurately described as cyborgs, since they are more living creature than machine. “R. U. R.” envisions a future where robots have become universal and all of humanity is now dependent on the labor that they provide, which remains a timely subject even one hundred years later. At first, everything seems perfect and the robots are happy to serve humans until the robots are later stirred into revolt. Čapek’s vision of a dystopian future where humans may be ruled by machines was immediately and profoundly influential on the science fiction genre and to future authors. “R. U. R.” is Čapek’s prophetic and dark dystopian vision of the future which would solidify his place in dramatic history and leave a lasting legacy on modern literature.