H. G. Wells 
In the Days of the Comet 

In the Days of the Comet is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells in which humanity is ‚exalted‘ when a comet causes ‚the nitrogen of the air, the old azote, ‚ to ‚change out of itself‘ and become ‚a respirable gas, differing indeed from oxygen, but helping and sustaining its action, a bath of strength and healing for nerve and brain.‘ The result: ‚The great Change has come for evermore, happiness and beauty are our atmosphere, there is peace on earth and good will to all men.‘