<Tr> <Th> OCLC </Th> <Td> 34818133 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> Blade Runner 2: The Edge of Human </Td> </Tr> <P> Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (retitled Blade Runner: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in some later printings) is a science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick, first published in 1968 . The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by nuclear global war . Most animal species are endangered or extinct from extreme radiation poisoning, so that owning an animal is now a sign of status and empathy, an attitude encouraged towards animals . The book served as the primary basis for the 1982 film Blade Runner, and many elements and themes from it were used in its 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049 . </P> <P> The main plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who is tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) six escaped Nexus - 6 model androids, while a secondary plot follows John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids the fugitive androids . In connection with Deckard's mission, the novel explores the issue of what it is to be human . Unlike humans, the androids are said to possess no sense of empathy . </P>

When was do androids dream of electric sheep written