His most famous novels include The Time Machine (1895), which introduced the concept of time travel; The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), exploring the ethics of scientific experimentation; The Invisible Man (1897); and The War of the Worlds (1898), a gripping tale of Martian invasion that frightened radio audiences when adapted by Orson Welles in 1938. Other notable works include The First Men in the Moon (1901) and The Food of the Gods.
Beyond science fiction, Wells wrote realistic social novels such as Kipps and The History of Mr Polly, as well as ambitious non-fiction including The Outline of History. A visionary thinker, he predicted technological advances such as aircraft, tanks, and even atomic weapons. Wells's imaginative legacy continues to influence literature, film, and science, securing his place among the most significant writers of the modern era.