Armaments Race

In Arthur C. Clarke's short story "Armaments Race," set within the frame narrative of the "White Hart" pub, Harry Purvis shares the tale of Solly Blumberg, a Hollywood special effects artist. Hired to design mock weapons for the sci-fi serial "Captain Zoom," Blumberg finds himself drawn into a competitive frenzy creating increasingly sophisticated weaponry for the production. His inventive journey culminates in an unexpected twist when he inadvertently crafts a functional weapon, leading to the mysterious vanishing of the studio.