Microcosmic God - Theodore Sturgeon

Microcosmic God
by Theodore Sturgeon


"Microcosmic God" is a science fiction novelette by Theodore Sturgeon.
Originally published in April 1941, it was recognized as one of the best science fiction stories of all time.

Plot summary :
A highly secretive and reclusive biochemist named Kidder produces inventions that transform human life, spanning every aspect of science and engineering.
Unknown to anyone, Kidder has developed a synthetic life form, which he calls "Neoterics".

These creatures live at a greatly accelerated rate, and therefore have a very short lifespan and produce many generations over a short period of time.
This allows Kidder, by presenting them with a frequently changing environment, to "evolve" them quickly into highly intelligent lifeforms who fear Kidder and worship him like a god.

Kidder can control his Neoterics' environment, and thus force them into developing technology far beyond that of humans.
While earlier inventions had been his own, Kidder created the Neoterics with the intention that they would become the source of many newer and greater inventions which he could claim as his own.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmic_God