A Tale of Negative Gravity

Frank R. Stockton

Library - Science Fiction and Fantasy Project Gutenberg _good _isfdb novelette shortfiction

Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons

Published: Jan 2, 1895

Magazine: A Chosen Few Short Stories

Description:

[a] A Tale of Negative Gravity. (Century Magazine, November 1884) 
The narrator has discovered the principle of antigravity, wThich is the same as centrifugal force. He does not intend to disturb his happy life by marketing it, but builds two small apparatus that he and his wife use for easing the burden of long walks and for working purposes. 
*  On vacation in Northern Italy, they discover the disruptive effects of the device on life. The narrator uses his invention in mountain climbing in order to get the better of a loudmouthed fellow tourist, but learns that his artificial nimbleness and agility are taken to be marks of insanity. When he learns that a similar reputation back home has spoiled his son's chances of marriage, he releases the device and does not build another. An experience of weightlessness was also embarrassing.