-R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)

First performed in 1921, this play introduced the word “robot” into the English language, meaning “drudgery” in its original Czech. Contrary to how the word is used today, Čapek’s robots are organically constructed workers and not mechanical. The play takes place on Rossum’s Island, where the factory that produces robots is located, and describes a revolution by the robots in which all humans are killed. The concept of artificial workers rising up against their masters has since become a staple of the science fiction genre. Čapek’s play became an international success, and was performed at Lehigh University by the Mustard and Cheese Drama Society in 1947.