They've Been Working On... Explained

"They've Been Working On..." is a science fiction short story by Anton Lee Baker. It was first published in Astounding Science Fiction, in August 1958.

Synopsis

A computer tries to solve problems involving misconfigured railroad cars, but its attempts only make things worse.

Reception

"They've Been Working On..." was a finalist for the 1959 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.[1]

Cat Rambo has cited it as an example of "why titles matter".[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/1959-hugo-awards/ 1959 Hugo Awards
  2. http://www.kittywumpus.net/blog/2011/02/13/why-titles-matter/ Why Titles Matter