The Steam Man of the Prairies

HEROES OF INVENTION Explore the 19th-century American dime novel This collection features three exciting tales from the "Edisonade" genre, in which "whiz kid" inventors and their steam- or electric-powered creations were the heroes: The Steam Man of the Prairies (1868) is considered to be the first Edisonade and the first American science fiction dime novel. Frank Reade and His Steam Horse (1882) features Frank Reade, one of the most prolific and best known Edisonade heroes. In Jack Wright and His Electric Stage (1894), an inventor pursues the Jesse James Gang in his electric-powered stagecoach. Although the Edisonade tends to be classified as science fiction, many have elements of the Western, detective story, and adventure tales that serve as significant inspiration for today's Steampunk genre.