Wings Over Europe (play)

Wings Over Europe is a play written by Maxwell Anderson and Robert Nichols, first produced in 1928. It is a drama exploring the ethical and societal implications of a fictional scientific breakthrough that gives its discoverer, Alan Mercer, the ability to harness atomic energy and wield immense destructive power.

The play centers on the conflict arising from Mercer's moral dilemma: should he reveal his discovery to the governments of Europe, knowing it could either usher in an era of unprecedented peace or catastrophic war? He believes the only way to ensure peace is to establish a benevolent dictatorship of scientists who would use the energy to enforce global disarmament and cooperation.

The play is known for its intellectual depth and its exploration of themes such as the responsibility of scientists, the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement, the nature of power, and the viability of utopian ideals. It is a notable example of expressionist drama, employing heightened language and symbolic imagery to convey the characters' inner turmoil and the play's philosophical arguments. The play examines the complex relationship between science, politics, and morality in the context of the interwar period and anxieties about the potential for future conflict.