Randall Garrett
Gentlemen: please note
"Gentlemen: please note" by Randall Garrett is a science fiction short story written in the late 1950s. The narrative centers around the historical figure of Isaac Newton and presents an alternate reality where his early work as a mathematician interacts with military research during a tumultuous period. The story juxtaposes Newton's revolutionary mathematical theories with the bureaucratic and sometimes nonsensical world of military ballistics, highlighting the clash between innovative thought and rigid institutional structures. In the story, Dr. Samuel Hackett reaches out to his friend Sir James Trowbridge to assist in locating lost letters from Newton that may illuminate his theoretical contributions that preceded even Einstein. Throughout a series of correspondences, we witness Newton's attempts to engage with military officials, offering calculations on cannon trajectories and expressing revolutionary ideas about physics that are met with disdain and confusion from military bureaucrats. The narrative explores themes of genius misunderstood, the nature of scientific inquiry, and the often absurd intersection of innovation and established authority, ultimately leading to Newton's recognition only after significant struggle and conflict. The story concludes with a poignant reflection on the interaction between faith and reason, suggesting that true understanding requires both rigorous inquiry and a recognition of the divine.