The Goggles of Dr Dragonet by Fritz Leiber Episode #344
Fritz Leiber | March 12, 2025-
play_circle_filled
The Goggles of Dr Dragonet by Fritz Leiber Episode #344
Fritz Leiber
THE GOGGLES OF DR. DRAGONET
Episode #344 · Written by Fritz Leiber · Narrated by Scott Miller
Dr. Hugo Dragonet invites three friends to test a strange new invention—goggles that can reveal the hidden glow of conscious minds. But when their night of wonder turns into an encounter with something impossible, they learn that seeing minds may be far more dangerous than understanding them.
In The Goggles of Dr. Dragonet, Fritz Leiber transports readers into the strange and exhilarating world of experimental science as seen through the eyes of three friends: Arthur, Marty, and Alice. They’ve grown accustomed to the bizarre inventions of Dr. Hugo Dragonet, but nothing prepares them for his latest creation—black, opaque goggles that open a window not into sight, but into consciousness itself. When the group dons the devices, the city around them becomes an eerie panorama of glowing “mind light,” revealing the inner presence of living beings in colors and patterns unlike anything they’ve ever imagined.
What begins as a fascinating scientific experiment quickly turns into an extraordinary nighttime odyssey through Los Angeles. Minds shimmer in unexpected hues, animals glow with surprising intensity, and even the distant sky reveals faint traces of awareness. The experience is astonishing, beautiful, and sometimes unnerving. Yet the true shock arrives when a presence neither human nor terrestrial appears—forcing the group to confront a reality that stretches far beyond the boundaries of Earth.
Leiber’s blend of speculative science, psychological tension, and wry humor makes this story an irresistible read. It explores perception, identity, and the unseen dimensions of consciousness, all while maintaining the snappy dialogue and character dynamics that make his work so memorable. The tale never crosses into horror, but it hums with an energy that reminds readers how vast—and strange—the universe can be.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fritz Leiber (1910–1992) is widely regarded as one of the most important authors in 20th-century speculative fiction. His body of work spans science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the undefinable spaces in between. Leiber brought a level of literary refinement to genre fiction that reshaped expectations, influencing writers from Stephen King to Neil Gaiman. Whether crafting cosmic drama, psychological tension, or philosophical speculation, Leiber delivered stories infused with intelligence, atmosphere, and humanity.
His achievements include multiple Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards, and his creations—such as Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser—remain pillars of modern fantasy. Yet his shorter works reveal some of his most innovative thinking, examining the boundary between the material and the metaphysical. The Goggles of Dr. Dragonet is a perfect example: thoughtful, surprising, and filled with the sense that the world is stranger and more wonderful than we assume.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to The Goggles of Dr Dragonet by Fritz Leiber — a vintage science fiction tale of strange inventions and unseen worlds revealed by mind-reading goggles.
RELATED STORIES
Mars has always been the most familiar of alien worlds, close enough to imagine and distant enough to remain dangerous. Vintage science fiction turned the red planet into a testing ground for human ambition—an empty frontier, a dying world, or a civilization older and stranger than Earth itself.
These stories send explorers, settlers, soldiers, and scientists across the void to a place where survival is never guaranteed. Thin air, vast deserts, and abandoned cities create a landscape that is both harsh and haunting.
Whether the planet is home to ancient Martians, fragile colonies, or the last hope after Earth’s decline, Mars stories are about adaptation.
- Dwellers in Silence by Ray Bradbury
- Death-Wish by Ray Bradbury
- Defense Mech by Ray Bradbury
- The Visitor by Ray Bradbury
- The One Who Waits by Ray Bradbury
- The Crystal Egg by H. G. Wells
- Never on Mars by John Wyndham
- Return of a Legend by Raymond Z. Gallun
- Message From Mars by Clifford D. Simak
- The Monsters Came By Night by Robert Silverberg
- The Martians and the Coys by Mack Reynolds
- A Zloor For Your Trouble by Mack Reynolds
- The Weapon by Isaac Asimov
- Arm of the Law by Harry Harrison
- Monster by William Morrison
- Fee of the Frontier by H. B. Fyfe
- A Message From Our Sponsor by Henry Slesar
- Two Weeks in August by Frank M. Robinson
- Duel on Syrtis by Poul Anderson
- We're Off to Mars by Joe Gibson
- Death Walks on Mars by Alan J. Ramm
- The Old Timer by Richard R. Smith
- Trainee for Mars by Harry Harrison
- The Hermit of Mars by Stephen Bartholomew
- Martian Homecoming by Frank Belknap Long
- Lake of Fire by Frank Belknap Long
- The Hated by Frederik Pohl
- The Old Martians by Rog Phillips
- The Martian Shore by Charles L. Fontenay
- Madmen of Mars by Erik Fennel
- Martians Never Die by Lucius Daniel
- What's He Doing in There? by Fritz Leiber
- Don't Look Now by Henry Kuttner
- Jonah of the Jove-Run by Ray Bradbury
- The Goggles of Dr Dragonet by Fritz Leiber
- The Foxholes of Mars by Fritz Leiber
- Alien Equivalent by Richard R. Smith
ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST
The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.4 million listens.
Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.
What listeners are saying:
★★★★★
“Great! Although the original Star Trek is almost considered ’vintage’ by now, these stories go back even further. Short compelling tales, read perfectly by Scott with no unnecessary bells and whistles. You can of course tell that these were written in a very different time. But, that’s part of the educational process, learning about the roots of sci-fi and how it’s changed. Thank you Scott.”
— DSBoston1
★★★★★
“Superlative content, thanks for bringing me enjoyment. Great selections, great reads”
— Eaten by a Grue
Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.
📬 JOIN LOST SCI-FI WEEKLY
30,000+ Listeners Can’t Be Wrong
Get vintage sci-fi stories, podcast episodes, and surprises every Monday.
FREE SCI-FI EVERY WEEK
✅ Check your email and confirm — that unlocks your free sci-fi downloads.
No spam in this galaxy. You can eject anytime.
