'Lying drunk in a field': Douglas Adams on the unlikely origins of the cult space comedy that inspired Elon Musk

Douglas Adams, a renowned British author, is best known for his humorous and imaginative series of books titled The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This series has garnered a massive following, including notable figures in science and technology, such as Elon Musk. In a 1986 interview with the BBC, Adams recounted the unexpected beginnings of this beloved story. The narrative kicks off on what appears to be an ordinary day on Earth, only for the protagonist, Arthur Dent, to discover that the planet is set to be destroyed. Arthur, an unassuming man from a quaint English village, learns that bureaucratic aliens are planning to demolish Earth to create a hyperspace bypass. To escape this impending doom, Arthur teams up with his friend Ford Prefect, an alien disguised as a human. Together, they embark on a series of wild adventures across the galaxy, accompanied by a quirky cast of characters, including a two-headed space president, another human survivor, and a depressed robot. Their mission involves gathering information for an intergalactic encyclopedia known as The Hitchhiker's Guide. The inspiration for this iconic story struck Adams in 1971 while he was 'lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck,' as he humorously recounted during his interview with Terry Wogan. Under the starry sky, clutching a copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to Europe, Adams envisioned a similar guidebook for the entire Milky Way. By 1977, after writing for various radio shows, Adams was given the opportunity to pitch his own program to the BBC. Initially, he proposed a six-episode anthology titled The Ends of the Earth, where each episode would depict a different way the Earth could meet its end. However, he eventually returned to the idea of the guidebook as the central focus of his story. Adams expressed that he never considered himself a science-fiction writer; rather, he identified as a comedy writer who simply exaggerated reality. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was groundbreaking as the first radio comedy produced in stereo, a format typically reserved for dramas. Producer Simon Brett noted that Adams had a clear vision for the sound and music he wanted, which contributed to the show's unique atmosphere. The program premiered quietly on a Wednesday night in March 1978 and received mixed reviews. Some listeners dismissed it as 'fatuous, inane, childish, pointless, codswalloping drivel,' while others praised its innovative concept and humor. Although the BBC initially declined to publish a novel based on the series, Nick Webb, an editor at Pan Books, recognized the potential of Adams' story and commissioned him to adapt it into a book. Webb described the work as 'verbally witty and dexterous, and full of philosophical jokes,' highlighting Adams' ability to blend humor with deeper insights. Ultimately, Adams authored five books in the Hitchhiker's series, along with two radio series and a television adaptation. The franchise developed a devoted fanbase, although some fans were hesitant to openly embrace what was perceived as a geeky genre in the 1980s. Adams humorously noted that during book signings, men would often ask him to sign books for their sons, only for the sons to later request signatures for their fathers. Today, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy enjoys a global following, with the book translated into over 30 languages. Fans commemorate Adams annually on May 25, honoring his famous quote about towels being essential for interstellar travelers. In 1999, Adams established a community forum known as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition, where individuals could contribute entries about life on Earth. Many fans are drawn to the series for its philosophical insights and connections to future technologies. For instance, Google's artificial intelligence research lab is named after Deep Thought, a supercomputer from the story that calculates the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, humorously revealed to be the number 42. Elon Musk has openly expressed his admiration for Adams, referring to him as the 'best philosopher ever' and noting that the story helped him navigate an existential crisis during his teenage years. Musk emphasized that the narrative illustrates an important lesson: often, the question is more challenging than the answer. The story fueled Musk's ambitious dreams of space exploration, and in 2018, he launched a car into space with a copy of the book in the glove compartment and a sign on the dashboard that read 'Don't panic! ' However, some critics argue that Musk misinterprets Adams' work, suggesting that Hitchhiker's serves as a sharp critique of imperialism. Tragically, Adams passed away in 2001 at the age of 49 while working on a script for a feature film adaptation of his story. Following his death, the BBC commissioned four additional series of the Hitchhiker's radio program. In 2009, author Eoin Colfer, with the support of Adams' estate, penned a sixth book in the series titled And Another Thing… The legacy of Adams' space comedy continues to resonate in popular culture, with references to the number 42 and the phrase 'Don't Panic' appearing in various science fiction works, including Doctor Who and Star Trek. Adams' imaginative inventions have also inspired real-world technology, as he once remarked that he was more interested in poking fun at those who would use his inventions than in whether they would actually come to fruition.