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.
