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An early science fiction invasion novel (or novella), The War of the Worlds (1898), by H. G. Wells, describes the fictional turn of the nineteenth century invasion of Earth by aliens, from Mars, who use laser-like Heat-Rays, chemical weapons (the Black smoke), mechanical three-legged "fighting machines," and crab-like handling-machines. After defeating the resistance, the Martians devastate much of south-eastern England, including London, before being unexpectedly killed by terrestrial diseases, to which they have no immunity. The first novel about an invasion from another world, Wells' story greatly influenced Doctor Who, as well as the entire science fiction genre. In particular, the tentacled Martians in their war machines which fire death rays may be a precursor to the Daleks.
The Master is seen reading The War of the Worlds while holding the Doctor and Jo prisoner in "Frontier in Space." Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds plays a major part in the Eighth Doctor Big Finish Audio Drama, "Invaders from Mars."