Robert A. Heinlein: Life-Line
Life-Line is a short story by Robert A. Heinlein, published in August 1939 in Astounding Science-Fiction. It tells the story of the eccentric Dr. Hugo Pinero, who claims to have developed a scientific method for accurately predicting any person’s death date. Faced with the disbelief and contempt of the scientific community, Pinero challenges his critics with demonstrations that shake the confidence of his detractors. As the controversy grows, his discovery threatens to disrupt the social order and generate intense reactions among those who see his invention as dangerous.