| "Helen O’Loy" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Lester del Rey |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction short story |
| Published in | Astounding Science Fiction |
| Media type | Print (Magazine) |
| Publication date | 1938 |
"Helen O’Loy" is a science fiction short story by Lester del Rey originally published in 1938 in Astounding Science Fiction.
Two young men, a mechanic, Dave, and a medical student, Phil, collaborate on modifying a household robot, originally meant only to cook food and clean, in order to allow it to have emotions. They are more successful than intended, and the robot, named "Helen O’Loy" falls in love with the mechanic. He initially flees her advances, but later marries her and she moves with him to his inherited fruit farm. Over subsequent decades, her features are artificially aged to match those of her human husband with the help of Phil. When he inevitably dies, she sends a letter to Phil requesting that he dissolve her metallic structure with acid and bury her with her husband. She also asks that he doesn't let anyone discover their secret.
In the final line of the story it is revealed that the medical student, who had been narrating the story, had secretly been in love with her too.
"Helen O’Loy" was among the stories selected in 1970 by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one the best science fiction short stories of all time. As such, it was published in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume One, 1929-1964.