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Future History or "Heinlein Timeline" #3
ถนนอำนาจ บาทวิถีคลั่ง
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American novelist and science fiction writer. Often called "the dean of science fiction writers", he is one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of "hard science fiction".
132 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1940
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605 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,057 books10.5k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 27, 2017
Classic Heinlein featuring gigantic moving sidewalks.
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing).
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing).
September 8, 2015
Heinlein correctly predicts the future again. How long before SpaceX colonizes the moon and then launches a multigeneration interstellar ship?
March 18, 2020
Slidewalk Catastrophe. Hundreds Dead!
A cautionary tale about allowing political zealots to run critical industrial infrastructure. What could go wrong when a political fundamentalist brings society violently to a stop by throttling a transport choke point? Apparently everything, bar the actual apocalypse.
Recommended. 4, 'give the engineers guns,' stars.
A cautionary tale about allowing political zealots to run critical industrial infrastructure. What could go wrong when a political fundamentalist brings society violently to a stop by throttling a transport choke point? Apparently everything, bar the actual apocalypse.
Recommended. 4, 'give the engineers guns,' stars.
June 16, 2020
"This is an age of machinery. The real power everywhere is in the technicians, but they have been kidded into not using their power with a lot of obsolete catch phrases."
Ah, the perfect society, with the grand and infallible machines running our critical infrastructure. There's only one problem ... those pesky engineers and technicians that maintain them, and their inflated sense of entitlement for doing so. Another golden age sci-fi story that illustrates that no matter how fancy our technology, we'll never escape basic human fallibilities.
Ah, the perfect society, with the grand and infallible machines running our critical infrastructure. There's only one problem ... those pesky engineers and technicians that maintain them, and their inflated sense of entitlement for doing so. Another golden age sci-fi story that illustrates that no matter how fancy our technology, we'll never escape basic human fallibilities.
June 10, 2019
Hear them hum!
Watch them run!
Oh, our job is never done,
For our roadways go rolling along!
While you ride,
While you glide,
We are watching down inside,
So your roadways keep rolling along!
Roadways have become the main transportation method in United States. This roadways, powered with the Douglas-Martin solar panels (yeah, those from Let There Be Light, the previous story), can reach speeds up to 100 mph and are managed by the Transport Cadets. The roads are so big you can have a nice diner in your favorite restaurant while getting home to your wife. It's all pretty cool until a bunch of technicians start a revolution by sabotaging one of the roads.
Watch them run!
Oh, our job is never done,
For our roadways go rolling along!
While you ride,
While you glide,
We are watching down inside,
So your roadways keep rolling along!
Roadways have become the main transportation method in United States. This roadways, powered with the Douglas-Martin solar panels (yeah, those from Let There Be Light, the previous story), can reach speeds up to 100 mph and are managed by the Transport Cadets. The roads are so big you can have a nice diner in your favorite restaurant while getting home to your wife. It's all pretty cool until a bunch of technicians start a revolution by sabotaging one of the roads.
November 2, 2020
This is a great, short piece by Heinlein.
July 15, 2017
Great sci-fi short story with some action.
March 23, 2023
Шок контент: Хайнлайн смог остановиться настолько вовремя, что, кажется, даже рановато.
April 4, 2016
The Roads Must Roll by Robert A. Heinlein is one of a rare breed for me. It’s a Heinlein story that I don’t absolutely love.
The story is based on the subject of what would become known as slidewalks. Essentially moving platforms that are large enough to contain buildings. These strips of moving sidewalk move up to 100 miles an hour in this story, and carry buildings and businesses for people to enjoy as people ride long distances.
Obviously this is a version of the future that didn’t come to pass, and that’s not necessarily a negative in my book. However it’s a version of the future that has no chance to come to pass. A similar conveyance system was in the Caves of Steel book by Isaac Asimov and it was quite confusing there. However it was a minor feature of the story, and while it was confusing, it didn’t derail the whole story.
For The Roads Must Roll, the majority of the story is based on the slidewalks. But it has features that doesn’t even sound like they could work. In addition, I don’t feel like the slidewalks are essential to the story, and yet so much time is focused on them, that they become the center of the story.
The story around the slidewalks isn’t much more interesting. It seems like there could be a very interesting problem if the main character and the antagonist were together for more of the story, but instead the majority is focused on this world building of the slidewalks, and the issues between the main character and the antagonist are almost glossed over.
There was a lot of potential with the ideas in the story, and perhaps it’s due to our over familiarity with unions in the modern day versus the rather early views of unions and the potential of strikes from Heinlein’s age, but I just didn’t care much for this story.
The story is based on the subject of what would become known as slidewalks. Essentially moving platforms that are large enough to contain buildings. These strips of moving sidewalk move up to 100 miles an hour in this story, and carry buildings and businesses for people to enjoy as people ride long distances.
Obviously this is a version of the future that didn’t come to pass, and that’s not necessarily a negative in my book. However it’s a version of the future that has no chance to come to pass. A similar conveyance system was in the Caves of Steel book by Isaac Asimov and it was quite confusing there. However it was a minor feature of the story, and while it was confusing, it didn’t derail the whole story.
For The Roads Must Roll, the majority of the story is based on the slidewalks. But it has features that doesn’t even sound like they could work. In addition, I don’t feel like the slidewalks are essential to the story, and yet so much time is focused on them, that they become the center of the story.
The story around the slidewalks isn’t much more interesting. It seems like there could be a very interesting problem if the main character and the antagonist were together for more of the story, but instead the majority is focused on this world building of the slidewalks, and the issues between the main character and the antagonist are almost glossed over.
There was a lot of potential with the ideas in the story, and perhaps it’s due to our over familiarity with unions in the modern day versus the rather early views of unions and the potential of strikes from Heinlein’s age, but I just didn’t care much for this story.
February 5, 2017
This story is #3 out of #21 of Heinlein's "Future History". This story contains a solitary reference to the previous story, "Let there be light", with the "Douglas-Martin sunpower screens"--solar panels that provide the USA near-free electricity.
"The Roads must roll" was released in June 1940. And has moving walkways that reach 100 miles an hour. Here, from Wikipedia, is a history of moving walkways (notice that the invention came first, and inspired HG Wells):
"The first moving walkway debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It had two different divisions: one where passengers were seated, and one where riders could stand or walk. It ran in a loop down the length of a lakefront pier to a casino. Six years later a moving walkway was also presented to the public at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. The walkway consisted of three elevated platforms, the first was stationary, the second moved at a moderate speed, and the third at about six miles per hour. These demonstrations likely served as inspiration for some of H. G. Wells' settings."
This story really should have been flesh out into a novel. It was dense, and enjoyable. And, dare I say, left-leaning.
"The Roads must roll" was released in June 1940. And has moving walkways that reach 100 miles an hour. Here, from Wikipedia, is a history of moving walkways (notice that the invention came first, and inspired HG Wells):
"The first moving walkway debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It had two different divisions: one where passengers were seated, and one where riders could stand or walk. It ran in a loop down the length of a lakefront pier to a casino. Six years later a moving walkway was also presented to the public at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. The walkway consisted of three elevated platforms, the first was stationary, the second moved at a moderate speed, and the third at about six miles per hour. These demonstrations likely served as inspiration for some of H. G. Wells' settings."
This story really should have been flesh out into a novel. It was dense, and enjoyable. And, dare I say, left-leaning.
January 24, 2014
In a recent sci-fi class the professor briefly mentioned this Heinlein story as a "must read" and "best of all time" classic sci-fi short story. So of course I scooted off to find and read - and it was, indeed, in an anthology entitled The Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Written in 1940, Heinlein imagines a future America where people are transported on roads that move at 100 mph.
The story is simple but solid: Gaines, the Chief Engineer, is giving a tour of this efficient rolling road system to a visitor when something goes horribly, horribly wrong.
I enjoyed this short story - in 1940 Heinlein already dreamt of a visual phone console (a la tablets/skype) and moving sidewalks. (Although, I've been told that H.G. Wells had a moving roadway in an 1899 story.)
The point is - I get a BIG kick out of these sci-fi authors. They are part scientist/inventor/genius/psychologist - yet also darn good writers!
The story is simple but solid: Gaines, the Chief Engineer, is giving a tour of this efficient rolling road system to a visitor when something goes horribly, horribly wrong.
I enjoyed this short story - in 1940 Heinlein already dreamt of a visual phone console (a la tablets/skype) and moving sidewalks. (Although, I've been told that H.G. Wells had a moving roadway in an 1899 story.)
The point is - I get a BIG kick out of these sci-fi authors. They are part scientist/inventor/genius/psychologist - yet also darn good writers!
June 21, 2021
-Read in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One-
The roads in this case are strips of giant conveyor belts, some of which move up to 100 mph. They are the backbone of industry, as millions of Americans use them for transportation every day. And the roads roll, until one day the technicians start thinking they’re NBA basketball players and stage a strike to gain more power. It’s up to the excellently written protagonist Gaines to sort it all out, and get the roads rolling again. What’s great is that despite this stab at the future being a complete whiff, it’s still a great story. Heinlein uses the technology of the roads to frame a story about economics, labor unions, and militaristic leadership.
The roads in this case are strips of giant conveyor belts, some of which move up to 100 mph. They are the backbone of industry, as millions of Americans use them for transportation every day. And the roads roll, until one day the technicians start thinking they’re NBA basketball players and stage a strike to gain more power. It’s up to the excellently written protagonist Gaines to sort it all out, and get the roads rolling again. What’s great is that despite this stab at the future being a complete whiff, it’s still a great story. Heinlein uses the technology of the roads to frame a story about economics, labor unions, and militaristic leadership.
January 27, 2025
#2/Las carreteras deben rodar (1940)
Periodo en que está basada: los años 80
El ingeniero jefe delegado de la ciudad rodante, Larry Gaines, recibe una importante visita de un ministro australiano, Blekinson, que quiere saber el funcionamiento de las carreteras rodantes para, quizá llevarlo a cabo en su país si llegase el caso. Gaines le explicará el cambio radical del sistema de transporte y vida itinerante de la población...pero lo que no se espera es que uno de sus ingenieros jefes, Van Kleek, liderará una vaga general de ingenieros y paro de las carreteras, un motín en todo orden, del cual depende el país y la integridad de la población en ése momento. A Gaines le espera una aventura en dónde tendrá que desactivar la célula de Van Kleen y reestablecer el orden...
Relato A CABALLO ENTRE EL ENTRETENIMIENTO Y ACCIÓN MILITAR TIPICA DEL AUTOR (CON PERSONAJES FUERTES Y DECIDIDOS, COMO SIEMPRE) MEZCLADO CON UN INTERESANTE A LA PAR QUE CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DE LO QUE PODRÍA DEPARAR EL FUTURO POR EL COLAPSO Y LA ESCASEZ DE ENERGÍA, CON UN CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DEL MARCO URBANO.
Heinlein nos plantea colapsos y caos circulatorio, que lleva a un gran volumen de muertes en accidentes a la vez que despilfarro del petróleo y escasez de este suministro, por lo cual un agotamiento de las antiguas energías que son tan sólo racionadas y utilizadas por el gobierno como emergencia. La curiosa urbe del relato es una mini ciudad móvil (producida por energía solar convertida en electricidad) con distintas cintas paralelas de distintas velocidades; las del exterior están destinadas a los comercios, fábricas, hoteles y las centrales para los millones de ciudadanos que han de trabajar en la urbe durante el día. Al final de esas cintas, se encuentra el hogar de los ciudadanos en el retiro, en las tranquilas colinas de la montaña, alejadas de la ciudad móvil, pero en las que llegan por las cintas de manera tremendamente rápida y eficaz. Así pues, trabajan en la ciudad y viven en el campo (no está nada mal la idea como concepto general). Las circulación y supervisión de las carreteras rodantes está a cargo de la academia de transportes de EEUU, con sus ingenieros encargados por turnos.
No hay duda que es hábil en mezclar ciencias sociales y la rama más técnica, sin resultar pesado. Nos recuerda que las máquinas no son nada sin el hombre, además de hablarnos de las cualidades como el honor personal, el sacrificio y disciplina en el trabajo para la evolución de la sociedad.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Energía abastecida por pantallas solares, convertida en electricidad para el movimiento del transporte de personas y mercancía- carretera mecanizada- (En los 70 el aumento del precio del petróleo y gas llevó a un resurgimiento en el uso de la energía solar para calentar hogares y agua, así como en la generación de electricidad. En la actualidad se usa de dos formas: la potencia térmica solar, en la que el sol se usa para calentar fluidos, los cuales impulsan turbinas y otras máquinas. Y la segunda es la conversión fotovoltaica CON PANELES SOLARES en los que la electricidad es producida directamente del sol)
· Pantallas táctiles (en 1971 se da la primera interfaz electrónica táctil)
· Vídeo llamadas (en 1964 la compañía A y T presenta un primer prototipo de vídeo teléfono)
· Servicio de transporte en cohete a las antípodas
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Colapso metrópolis urbana y de transportes (estamos en ellos)
· Campaña automovilística de prudencia crónica (actualmente ya hace tiempo que la tenemos)
· Agotamiento del petróleo y muerte de las antiguas energías (poco falta, sino acaban de explotar el planeta…quién sabe)
· Huelga / motín general del transporte nacional (diferentes huelgas de transporte han acaecido a lo largo del siglo 20. Jimmy Hoffa, lider sindicalista, en 1957 fue el artífice principal de la huelga de camioneros en EEUU, véase aquí a el personaje de ficción Van Kleen como su predecesor)
· Ley del funcionalismo (transitoria y en una determinada sección de la población) en 1930: por la cual el derecho igualitario de los hombres deja de existir y el hombre es evaluado importante según el rol que desempeñe en el conjunto económico (Una clara alusión a la tiranía del más poderoso, llevándose al plano de a pie con los individuos. Actualmente están muriendo las clases sociales medias)
Periodo en que está basada: los años 80
El ingeniero jefe delegado de la ciudad rodante, Larry Gaines, recibe una importante visita de un ministro australiano, Blekinson, que quiere saber el funcionamiento de las carreteras rodantes para, quizá llevarlo a cabo en su país si llegase el caso. Gaines le explicará el cambio radical del sistema de transporte y vida itinerante de la población...pero lo que no se espera es que uno de sus ingenieros jefes, Van Kleek, liderará una vaga general de ingenieros y paro de las carreteras, un motín en todo orden, del cual depende el país y la integridad de la población en ése momento. A Gaines le espera una aventura en dónde tendrá que desactivar la célula de Van Kleen y reestablecer el orden...
Relato A CABALLO ENTRE EL ENTRETENIMIENTO Y ACCIÓN MILITAR TIPICA DEL AUTOR (CON PERSONAJES FUERTES Y DECIDIDOS, COMO SIEMPRE) MEZCLADO CON UN INTERESANTE A LA PAR QUE CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DE LO QUE PODRÍA DEPARAR EL FUTURO POR EL COLAPSO Y LA ESCASEZ DE ENERGÍA, CON UN CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DEL MARCO URBANO.
Heinlein nos plantea colapsos y caos circulatorio, que lleva a un gran volumen de muertes en accidentes a la vez que despilfarro del petróleo y escasez de este suministro, por lo cual un agotamiento de las antiguas energías que son tan sólo racionadas y utilizadas por el gobierno como emergencia. La curiosa urbe del relato es una mini ciudad móvil (producida por energía solar convertida en electricidad) con distintas cintas paralelas de distintas velocidades; las del exterior están destinadas a los comercios, fábricas, hoteles y las centrales para los millones de ciudadanos que han de trabajar en la urbe durante el día. Al final de esas cintas, se encuentra el hogar de los ciudadanos en el retiro, en las tranquilas colinas de la montaña, alejadas de la ciudad móvil, pero en las que llegan por las cintas de manera tremendamente rápida y eficaz. Así pues, trabajan en la ciudad y viven en el campo (no está nada mal la idea como concepto general). Las circulación y supervisión de las carreteras rodantes está a cargo de la academia de transportes de EEUU, con sus ingenieros encargados por turnos.
No hay duda que es hábil en mezclar ciencias sociales y la rama más técnica, sin resultar pesado. Nos recuerda que las máquinas no son nada sin el hombre, además de hablarnos de las cualidades como el honor personal, el sacrificio y disciplina en el trabajo para la evolución de la sociedad.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Energía abastecida por pantallas solares, convertida en electricidad para el movimiento del transporte de personas y mercancía- carretera mecanizada- (En los 70 el aumento del precio del petróleo y gas llevó a un resurgimiento en el uso de la energía solar para calentar hogares y agua, así como en la generación de electricidad. En la actualidad se usa de dos formas: la potencia térmica solar, en la que el sol se usa para calentar fluidos, los cuales impulsan turbinas y otras máquinas. Y la segunda es la conversión fotovoltaica CON PANELES SOLARES en los que la electricidad es producida directamente del sol)
· Pantallas táctiles (en 1971 se da la primera interfaz electrónica táctil)
· Vídeo llamadas (en 1964 la compañía A y T presenta un primer prototipo de vídeo teléfono)
· Servicio de transporte en cohete a las antípodas
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Colapso metrópolis urbana y de transportes (estamos en ellos)
· Campaña automovilística de prudencia crónica (actualmente ya hace tiempo que la tenemos)
· Agotamiento del petróleo y muerte de las antiguas energías (poco falta, sino acaban de explotar el planeta…quién sabe)
· Huelga / motín general del transporte nacional (diferentes huelgas de transporte han acaecido a lo largo del siglo 20. Jimmy Hoffa, lider sindicalista, en 1957 fue el artífice principal de la huelga de camioneros en EEUU, véase aquí a el personaje de ficción Van Kleen como su predecesor)
· Ley del funcionalismo (transitoria y en una determinada sección de la población) en 1930: por la cual el derecho igualitario de los hombres deja de existir y el hombre es evaluado importante según el rol que desempeñe en el conjunto económico (Una clara alusión a la tiranía del más poderoso, llevándose al plano de a pie con los individuos. Actualmente están muriendo las clases sociales medias)
January 7, 2018
This is the first work of Heinlein I've come across with no polygamous marriages... So, it has that going for it.
December 10, 2024
Let the roads roll
Robert Heinlein always amazed me with his ideas, which he skillfully put on paper. His works are always interesting, and the story "Roads must Roll" is especially memorable.
I remember the work for its unprecedented intensity. This is a kind of action-packed action movie, where the action takes place rapidly and it is felt with every page of the work. The author does not go into details of the imagined world, does not reveal the characters. Heinlein fully shows the action, having previously introduced readers to the main characters of the story — the roads.
The skill of the writer allows us to present such a human development in all its details. It is a great opportunity for people to quickly cross huge distances, just by getting on mobile roads. It's so interesting and so exciting. I really want to see it in reality, but you realize that it's fantastic. However, there are still a lot of questions about the safety of this type of movement and the following problems in this regard.
With his narration, Heinlein raises a lot of problems of his time, reveals the social background of what is happening in society. What role do public organizations or the government play, how can individuals influence a situation of such magnitude as appears in the work.
Perhaps the author believes that in real life people need a strong leader, that he will be ready to solve complex problems of a social and not only character, like his main character, that he appears to be a courageous and determined person, a leader, that he is ready to make important decisions and take responsibility.
Although Heinlein does not devote time to revealing the past of the characters, their motivation, in order to show the reader the image of the characters more fully, Robert does this through the actions of the actors. This decision seems to encourage the readers themselves to draw conclusions about this or that person in the work on their own.
Heinlein's story has been around for more than 80 years. Many things now seem naive in this work, but not the problems that the author raises. There will always and everywhere be supporters and opponents of certain projects, there will always be dissatisfied and consenting. This is human nature. I liked the work very much. Dynamic, interesting, fresh. It is not for nothing that "Roads must Roll" became the winner of the Hugo Award for 1941. And this award took place retrospectively, that is, the award was awarded in the modern world (in 2016). This means that the topics raised are still relevant for our time.
9 out of 10
Robert Heinlein always amazed me with his ideas, which he skillfully put on paper. His works are always interesting, and the story "Roads must Roll" is especially memorable.
I remember the work for its unprecedented intensity. This is a kind of action-packed action movie, where the action takes place rapidly and it is felt with every page of the work. The author does not go into details of the imagined world, does not reveal the characters. Heinlein fully shows the action, having previously introduced readers to the main characters of the story — the roads.
The skill of the writer allows us to present such a human development in all its details. It is a great opportunity for people to quickly cross huge distances, just by getting on mobile roads. It's so interesting and so exciting. I really want to see it in reality, but you realize that it's fantastic. However, there are still a lot of questions about the safety of this type of movement and the following problems in this regard.
With his narration, Heinlein raises a lot of problems of his time, reveals the social background of what is happening in society. What role do public organizations or the government play, how can individuals influence a situation of such magnitude as appears in the work.
Perhaps the author believes that in real life people need a strong leader, that he will be ready to solve complex problems of a social and not only character, like his main character, that he appears to be a courageous and determined person, a leader, that he is ready to make important decisions and take responsibility.
Although Heinlein does not devote time to revealing the past of the characters, their motivation, in order to show the reader the image of the characters more fully, Robert does this through the actions of the actors. This decision seems to encourage the readers themselves to draw conclusions about this or that person in the work on their own.
Heinlein's story has been around for more than 80 years. Many things now seem naive in this work, but not the problems that the author raises. There will always and everywhere be supporters and opponents of certain projects, there will always be dissatisfied and consenting. This is human nature. I liked the work very much. Dynamic, interesting, fresh. It is not for nothing that "Roads must Roll" became the winner of the Hugo Award for 1941. And this award took place retrospectively, that is, the award was awarded in the modern world (in 2016). This means that the topics raised are still relevant for our time.
9 out of 10
November 27, 2025
This is one of Heinlein’s hardest-hitting early social SF stories—a tense, muscular narrative that blends technological speculation with political warning.
Set in a future where massive conveyor-road systems transport the population at high speed, the story examines what happens when a powerful labour union decides to shut the roads down in a bid for control.
Heinlein’s political instincts are sharp here. The story isn’t anti-labour so much as anti-monopoly—whether corporate or union. By making transportation the lifeblood of society, he shows how fragile civilisation becomes when a single system holds disproportionate power. The resulting sabotage isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a potential societal collapse.
The story also demonstrates Heinlein’s engineering mind at full force. The mechanics of the rolling roads are explained in clear, engaging detail, lending the backdrop a satisfying sense of plausibility. But the real engine of the narrative is the ideological clash between the protagonist, a staunch defender of civic order, and the rebellious technicians who believe their importance grants them authority.
What gives the story longevity is its intensity. Heinlein writes confrontation—verbal and physical—with soldierly precision. Yet he also slips in sociological insight: technological progress creates new elites, and every elite is tempted to mistake necessity for sovereignty.
Some aspects feel vintage Heinlein—patriarchal assumptions, militaristic framing—but the central conflict has aged remarkably well.
In an era where infrastructure, automation, and labour politics still collide daily, “The Roads Must Roll” feels less like a relic and more like a warning we keep failing to heed.
Set in a future where massive conveyor-road systems transport the population at high speed, the story examines what happens when a powerful labour union decides to shut the roads down in a bid for control.
Heinlein’s political instincts are sharp here. The story isn’t anti-labour so much as anti-monopoly—whether corporate or union. By making transportation the lifeblood of society, he shows how fragile civilisation becomes when a single system holds disproportionate power. The resulting sabotage isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a potential societal collapse.
The story also demonstrates Heinlein’s engineering mind at full force. The mechanics of the rolling roads are explained in clear, engaging detail, lending the backdrop a satisfying sense of plausibility. But the real engine of the narrative is the ideological clash between the protagonist, a staunch defender of civic order, and the rebellious technicians who believe their importance grants them authority.
What gives the story longevity is its intensity. Heinlein writes confrontation—verbal and physical—with soldierly precision. Yet he also slips in sociological insight: technological progress creates new elites, and every elite is tempted to mistake necessity for sovereignty.
Some aspects feel vintage Heinlein—patriarchal assumptions, militaristic framing—but the central conflict has aged remarkably well.
In an era where infrastructure, automation, and labour politics still collide daily, “The Roads Must Roll” feels less like a relic and more like a warning we keep failing to heed.
February 16, 2020
(Future History 3) The United States had moved from automobiles to solar-powered people movers beginning when oil and gasoline were rationed during World War II. It led to less pollution, a spreading out of the population from the congestion of the cities, and a working class who were ripe for agitation by self-serving megalomaniacs with self-worth issues like Shorty Van Kleeck. It is up to Larry Gaines, the Chief Engineer, to stop the destruction and disruption of the roads.
Heinlein is remarkably prescient in this 1940 tale, predicting the congestion of the automobiles and their increasing dangers as well as the importance of solar energy. It’s a shame such people movers, whether this style or high-speed trains are kept from actually being implemented. It is also true that the disenfranchised can be easily manipulated. Just look at our current political environment, not just in the United States and Great Britain. A brilliant tale. I can see the workers being militarized considering how a minor disruption, much less a major one, could not only bring the nation to a halt, it could have serious and deadly ramifications. 4.5 out of 5.
Heinlein is remarkably prescient in this 1940 tale, predicting the congestion of the automobiles and their increasing dangers as well as the importance of solar energy. It’s a shame such people movers, whether this style or high-speed trains are kept from actually being implemented. It is also true that the disenfranchised can be easily manipulated. Just look at our current political environment, not just in the United States and Great Britain. A brilliant tale. I can see the workers being militarized considering how a minor disruption, much less a major one, could not only bring the nation to a halt, it could have serious and deadly ramifications. 4.5 out of 5.
May 4, 2021
Published in 1940. Where would the world be if the workers didn’t keep the roads rolling?
It’s a labor Union story set in ‘60? (Not sure if it’s supposed to be 2960 or some other)
The roads move vehicles like interstate conveyor belts and all of transportation is dependent on the unionized guild of road engineers and laborers.
Quirky points of interest:
A man working at a computer terminal had a cigarette tucked in the corner of his mouth.
A portable telephone plugged into a jack to operate.
Sun power screens provide energy for the moving roadways.
From their humble beginnings automobiles were eventually over 100 horsepower and capable of 100mph.
Automobiles were eventually banned due to fossil fuel restrictions.
There are personal transport devices called tumble bugs, the seem strikingly similar to a Segway.
It’s a labor Union story set in ‘60? (Not sure if it’s supposed to be 2960 or some other)
The roads move vehicles like interstate conveyor belts and all of transportation is dependent on the unionized guild of road engineers and laborers.
Quirky points of interest:
A man working at a computer terminal had a cigarette tucked in the corner of his mouth.
A portable telephone plugged into a jack to operate.
Sun power screens provide energy for the moving roadways.
From their humble beginnings automobiles were eventually over 100 horsepower and capable of 100mph.
Automobiles were eventually banned due to fossil fuel restrictions.
There are personal transport devices called tumble bugs, the seem strikingly similar to a Segway.
September 1, 2023
A Henlein classic, for good and for bad. The writing is first rate, the story presentation clear and dynamic, the technology decsriptions crisp, and the societal focus no nonsernse. It's one of many stories that show us why RAH has been so important for the evolution of SF.
We get a clear analysis of a problem (cars destroy cities and are absurdly inefficient), and we get a complex, centralised solution. We get the fascination with military social order and military academies, complete with "kadets" in control of key technology and social order. We learn that technology is not the problem - humans are, and the fascination with men of action and unlimited power. And of course, women - the poor, emotional creatures - only exist as a distraction. And despite all this, the story is fun and a good read.
We get a clear analysis of a problem (cars destroy cities and are absurdly inefficient), and we get a complex, centralised solution. We get the fascination with military social order and military academies, complete with "kadets" in control of key technology and social order. We learn that technology is not the problem - humans are, and the fascination with men of action and unlimited power. And of course, women - the poor, emotional creatures - only exist as a distraction. And despite all this, the story is fun and a good read.
May 15, 2020
This is an odd story in "The Science Fiction Hall of Fame - Vol. 1".
Primarily, because I don't quite see it as a sci-fi story in the first place. Sure, it does have a fantastical transport mechanism as a plot device. The main story, however, is about social sciences. In so far as that goes, it's a good enough story. But I didn't quite enjoy the hostage negotiation and the accompanying "action" surround it. Still, the humor, and an underpinning of basic human nature made this is a good short story to partake in!
Primarily, because I don't quite see it as a sci-fi story in the first place. Sure, it does have a fantastical transport mechanism as a plot device. The main story, however, is about social sciences. In so far as that goes, it's a good enough story. But I didn't quite enjoy the hostage negotiation and the accompanying "action" surround it. Still, the humor, and an underpinning of basic human nature made this is a good short story to partake in!
June 19, 2023
The Roads Must Roll by Robert A. Heinlein
read June 2023 in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One 1929-1964
Gigantic moving sidewalks.... An interesting idea, but not practical at all. Individual micro train cars would be a more practical solution.
The story received the Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette (2016), so I had higher expectations. Funny how he of hand throws in that horses are still around as a luxury thing.
read June 2023 in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One 1929-1964
Gigantic moving sidewalks.... An interesting idea, but not practical at all. Individual micro train cars would be a more practical solution.
The story received the Retro Hugo Award for Best Novelette (2016), so I had higher expectations. Funny how he of hand throws in that horses are still around as a luxury thing.
October 7, 2020
Considering when this was written, it seems to have had quite far reaching thoughts indeed. I liked the short story with a lil bit of science fiction, a lil bit of socialism and a lil bit of psychology and a lil bit of politics built into it. It didn't give me any aha moments and that's the only reason for not rating it higher, but a good read!
December 12, 2023
The Roads Must Roll, Robert A. Heinlein
Classic-era short Sci-Fi. Politicians and technicians made radical decisions that lack robust preparation. Heinlein delivers again on his "prophetic warning" narratives.
"This is an age of machinery. The real power everywhere is in the technicians, but they have been kidded into not using their power with a lot of obsolete catch phrases."
Classic-era short Sci-Fi. Politicians and technicians made radical decisions that lack robust preparation. Heinlein delivers again on his "prophetic warning" narratives.
"This is an age of machinery. The real power everywhere is in the technicians, but they have been kidded into not using their power with a lot of obsolete catch phrases."
February 17, 2020
Set in the future where all roads have been replaced with moving conver-belts or footpaths. These can be used to move people and goods quickly across the country. Their only real flaws are that the belts can break, though that has been largely fixed and the technicians who are needed to run them. The story is about those technicians realising the power that they have and the attempt to exercise that power. This was fun to read. It had a little of everything as well action, politics, and a quick pace
January 12, 2023
Fun Heinlein book where he posits moving roadways like big people movers taking the place of roads. Leads to problems but good take on the future. He has a whole series of novels and Novellas predicting future outcomes which are surprisingly accurate.
January 15, 2023
Messaging a bit heavy handed, but for 1940, just slowly clawing out of the Great Depression, and wavering about getting into the war, obviousness can be overlooked. RAH does show the early emphasis on people; solving problems always needs to include people as well as mechanics.
May 1, 2023
2.5 stars. This novelette shows its age in its vision of the future and in its treatment of women. However, the exploration of this future was interesting and the plot was well-paced from beginning to end. The conflict was far too easily resolved in the conclusion.
July 3, 2023
Mass transit = mass disaster and the loss of personal freedom (is there any other kind?) too boot, but that’s the whole point. Heinlein’s protagonists kick some functionalist, communist, socialist, leftist, progressive, all just terrorist, butts. 👍
July 20, 2018
Onestamente ho sempre pensato che le strade semovibili fossero un'idea alquanto stupida.
August 25, 2019
Very thought provoking when I read it in my teens
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