Eddie

"Eddie" by Frank Riley is a science fiction novel that was likely written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s. The story revolves around an advanced "educatable computer," named Eddie, developed by a brilliant electronics engineer, Dr. John O'Hara Smith. The narrative delves into espionage themes, focusing on Dr. Smith's dangerous discoveries related to missile technology and security, as well as the efforts to protect this sensitive information from hostile forces. The plot initiates with the explosion of Dr. Smith’s trailer, leading to an investigation by various government agencies including the FBI and Air Force. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Dr. Smith's work with Eddie could potentially revolutionize the field of security and missile defense but also puts him in the crosshairs of espionage elements. Throughout the narrative, Smith engages in intense dialogues about the implications of Eddie's capabilities, revealing the intricacies of espionage, technology, and human intellect. Eventually, through Smith’s collaboration with military officials, Eddie provides crucial insights into the disappearance of a prototype missile, showcasing both the strengths and unpredictability inherent in artificial intelligence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frank Riley (1915–1996) was the pseudonym of Frank Ryhlick, an American science fiction author best known for co-writing the novel They'd Rather Be Right, which won a Hugo Award for Best Novel during 1955. He was a syndicated travel columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times, and editor of the Los Angeles Magazine. He also wrote advertisements for See's Candies, screenplays, short fiction such as the "Father Anton Dymek" mysteries and was a host of a radio program in the Los Angeles area.