The Day the Machines Stopped (1964)

Epub v5 

Brian turned up the volume on the radio while Anne sat beside him, listening intently:

“. . . Soviet experiment can cut off all the power in the world. Industry would be useless. The world would be paralyzed. My studies convince me that modern civilization is in great danger."

The announcement ended, and Brian turned off the radio. "He claims the experiment will cause widespreadirreparable power failure. There is no such thing."

Anne smiled. "That's a relief to me," she said and stood up.

Suddenly, the lights went out. Anne's hand gripped Brian's arm. He quickly flipped on the radio. Nothing happened. He opened the door to the hallway. The lights were out. He picked up a flashlight. It wouldn't work. Then he looked at Anne.

Her face was white. "Oh, Brian," she said. "I'm afraid."