The Volcanic Valve: Steam, Schemes, and Slightly Singed Scientists

The Volcanic Valve by W. L. Alden - When a brilliant inventor tries to control volcanic eruptions with a mechanical valve, his bold experiment threatens to unleash fiery chaos on an unsuspecting world.

W. L. Alden (1837–1908) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist best known for his early contributions to science fiction and speculative literature. Born in New York, Alden studied law and became a practicing attorney before turning to writing. He served as a journalist and editor for several newspapers, including the New York Times and Harper’s Weekly, and was appointed U.S. Consul in Rome in the 1880s.

Alden’s fiction often blended satire, gentle absurdity, and imaginative speculation, marking him as a forerunner of American science fiction humor. He contributed to The Idler, The Strand Magazine, and Puck, among others. His best-known speculative works include “A New Form of Government” and the collection Among the Freaks (1896), which showcased his flair for whimsical inventions and improbable scenarios.

Though less known today, Alden was part of a literary movement that helped shape early science fiction, particularly with stories involving quirky inventions, mechanical men, and undersea adventures. His writing reflects a playful curiosity about technology and society that resonates with fans of classic speculative fiction.