Why we love stories with mad scientists

One of the most popular tropes in the horror and science fiction genre is that of the mad scientists. The stories generally follow the same type of setting. A young couple has car/carriage/train trouble and is forced to seek the help of the people living in a spooky castle or stately home. Whilst they seem to be welcomed at first, it soon turns out they will become unwitting and, or unwilling participants in some mad scientist schemes. How will the daring couple undue the scientist’s schemes? Who knows, at least the scientist can rely on Laboratory Relocation services like those from www.aportglobal.com/lab-relocation-services if need be.

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The idea of the mad scientist comes to us from Mary Shelley. Frankenstein is the first of these meddlers in the force of nature, and most subsequent mad scientists seem to follow the same path. HG Wells continues the vein with the Island of Dr Moreau. Later, HP Lovecraft used them to dabble in the Dark arts with Cthulhu.

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However, it is the Hollywood film industry that really runs with the idea. Seemingly used as a way of warning teenagers that they should stay at home and not go out with each other driving at night, the dreaded Doctor or Professor something was always lying in wait for them. Famous modern examples are Herbert West in Re-Animator, various reimaginings of Frankenstein, Dr Evil in Austin Powers, Doctor Hans Zharkov in  Flash Gordon and various Marvel and DC villain characters where something has gone wrong in the lab.