The Master Key

by L. Frank Baum

L. Frank Baum, the creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published his first book, The Master Key: An Electrical Fairy Tale, Founded Upon the Mysteries of Electricity and the Optimism of Its Devotees, in 1901. Robert Stanton Baum, who was born in 1886 and would have been approximately fifteen at the time of publication, was the recipient of a dedication in Baum's book. The main character is a parent who supports his son's electrical experiments and makes sure that he "never lacked batteries, motors or supplies of any kind." A blinding flash occurs, followed by the appearance of the entity known as the Daemon of Electricity. He claims that Rob has the right to demand presents from him since he unintentionally "touched the Master Key of Electricity." The Daemon, according to The Master Key author Lathaniel Baum, is a "Electro-Magnetic Restorer" with abilities so powerful that even the dead may be brought back to life as long as their blood has not yet cooled. Visitors were given a "Illimitable Communicator" and a "Simple electric gadget which will enable you, wherever you may be, to talk with individuals in any area of the world" during the third week of the experiment.