History of Science Fiction - Early Authors to Today's Hypermodern Authors

The early history of science fiction is thought by some to date back to 1818 with the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Others think that science fiction was created even earlier with Jonathan Swift and his book Gulliver's Travels in 1726.

The definition of science fiction (also called speculative fiction) is stories set in the future usually with advanced machines and/or spacecraft.

I've also heard that the difference between science fiction and fantasy is basically that there are ... machines in science fiction and magic in fantasy stories. I'm not sure who to attribute this to.

Back to the history of science fiction: the novels of Jules Verne in the 1860's and H. G. Wells in the 1890's ... greatly helped to firmly establish the genre of science fiction.

Two of Mr. Verne's important contributions were From the Earth to the Moon in 1860 and Voyage to the Center of the Earth in 1863.

H. G. Wells wrote two enduring novels - The Time Machine in 1895 and War of the Worlds in 1898.

Many of the early novels were actually published chapter by chapter in magazines like The Strand. Hugo Gernsback was a magazine editor who first came to the US in 1904.

He edited both science and science fiction magazines ... he founded Amazing Stories in 1926. This magazine was credited with the development of science fiction.

John W. Campbell jr., editor of Astounding Science Fiction helped young authors get started. In 1937, three new authors made their debut in the magazine:

- Robert Heinlein
- Isaac Asimov
- A. E. van Vogt

Mr. Campbell has been called "the father of modern science fiction".

World War II slowed down the publication of science fiction novels. But specialty science fiction publishers began to appear in the late 1940's after the war.

And in 1953, the first World Science Fiction Convention took place.
Hugo Awards were given out in the shape of a rocket.

John W. Campbell Awards were given out beginning in 1973.