Prehistory & early history Prehistory & early history of Science Fictionof Science Fiction

SOAR – Global SFSOAR – Global SF

Spring 2010Spring 2010

D. W. KoonD. W. Koon

Prehistory of SFPrehistory of SF

Homer (ca. 850 BCE?)Homer (ca. 850 BCE?) Lucian of Samosata (b. 125AD)Lucian of Samosata (b. 125AD) Kepler (1634)Kepler (1634) Cyrano de Bergerac (1657)Cyrano de Bergerac (1657) Raspé: Munchausen (1785)Raspé: Munchausen (1785)

Munchausen by Doré: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dore-Munchausen by Doré: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dore-munchausen-illustration.jpgmunchausen-illustration.jpg

Homer (850 BCE?)Homer (850 BCE?) IliadIliad: Hephaestus (Vulcan) creates : Hephaestus (Vulcan) creates

mechanical help-mates.mechanical help-mates.• e.g. Talose.g. Talos

Guardian of CreteGuardian of CreteMade of CopperMade of Copper

From “A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, From “A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.htm.http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.htm.

Image: Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Image: Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, http://www.ics.forth.gr/cvrl/images/image003.jpg.http://www.ics.forth.gr/cvrl/images/image003.jpg.

Lucian of Samosata (b. 125 A.D.)Lucian of Samosata (b. 125 A.D.)

IcaromenipposIcaromenippos ( (Journey through the airJourney through the air) : ) : using strap-on wings to reach Moon.using strap-on wings to reach Moon.• Interplanetary voyageInterplanetary voyage• Prosthetic limbsProsthetic limbs• CyborgsCyborgs

From “A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, From “A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.htm.http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.htm.

Lucian Picture: Wikipedia, Lucian Picture: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lucian_Samosata.warj.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lucian_Samosata.warj.png

Icarus Picture: Aviation University Icarus Picture: Aviation University http://eaa.aviationuniversity.com/multimedia/img/icarus.gifhttp://eaa.aviationuniversity.com/multimedia/img/icarus.gif

Some French proto-SF and Some French proto-SF and modern SFmodern SF

1657 deBergerac: 1657 deBergerac: Comical History...MoonComical History...Moon..

1752 Voltaire: Micromégas1752 Voltaire: Micromégas

visitors from other planetsvisitors from other planets

...and many more....and many more.

1863 Jules Verne: 1863 Jules Verne: Five weeks in a balloonFive weeks in a balloon..

Dropoff in French SF during US Golden Age of SF.Dropoff in French SF during US Golden Age of SF.

Recovery since late 1950s, but in the image of Recovery since late 1950s, but in the image of AngloAnglo SF?SF?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_science_fiction & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_science_fiction & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Vernehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Verne

French literature: Jules Verne French literature: Jules Verne (1828-1905)(1828-1905)

Over 50 works, from 1863-Over 50 works, from 1863-1905:1905:• A Journey to the Centre of A Journey to the Centre of

the Earththe Earth (1864) (1864)• From the Earth to the MoonFrom the Earth to the Moon

(1865)(1865)• Twenty Thousand Leagues Twenty Thousand Leagues

Under the SeaUnder the Sea (1869–1870) (1869–1870)• Around the World in Eighty Around the World in Eighty

DaysDays (1873) (1873)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_vernehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_verne

Early SF filmEarly SF film(& horror, adventure, fantasy, etc.)(& horror, adventure, fantasy, etc.)

SOAR – Global SFSOAR – Global SF

Spring 2010 Spring 2010

D. W. KoonD. W. Koon

Le voyage dans la lune (1902)Le voyage dans la lune (1902) Georges Méliès, France (Bacon Georges Méliès, France (Bacon

number = 4). Directed 561 films, number = 4). Directed 561 films, 1896-1914.1896-1914.

A bullet-like rocket is fired from a A bullet-like rocket is fired from a cannon, lands on Moon. cannon, lands on Moon. Adventures with the natives Adventures with the natives ensue. Revolutionary special ensue. Revolutionary special effects.effects.

Other films include Other films include The The Impossible Voyage Impossible Voyage (1904). (1904). (Journey through Alps to the Sun)(Journey through Alps to the Sun)

http://www.filmsite.org/posterpages/p_voya.htmlhttp://www.filmsite.org/posterpages/p_voya.html

Himmelskibet (“Airship” 1917)Himmelskibet (“Airship” 1917)

http://membres.lycos.fr/starmars/himmel.htmlhttp://membres.lycos.fr/starmars/himmel.html

http://www.commersen.se/sol/bok_film/film.htmlhttp://www.commersen.se/sol/bok_film/film.html

• Holger-Madsen, Denmark.• Appeared in English under a

variety of names.• Earthlings visit Mars, convert

to vegetarianism, pacifism from natives, spread the message back home.

Der Golem (1914, 1920)Der Golem (1914, 1920) Paul Wegener, Germany (also Paul Wegener, Germany (also

plays the Golem).plays the Golem). 60 min.60 min. Taken from Jewish folk legend, Taken from Jewish folk legend,

1616thth Century automaton created Century automaton created to protect the Jews of Prague. to protect the Jews of Prague. Contains the precursor to Contains the precursor to machine programming. machine programming. ((EmetEmet→Meit→Meit = truth→death) = truth→death)

One of first examples of German One of first examples of German Expressionism in film (See Expressionism in film (See MetropolisMetropolis))

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golemhttp://www.ministore.at/aa.stummfilm.htmhttp://www.ministore.at/aa.stummfilm.htm

ClassicsClassics 1924 1924 Aelita. Aelita. Yakov Protazanov, Yakov Protazanov,

USSR. USSR.

19261926 Metropolis. Metropolis. Fritz Lang, Fritz Lang, Germany. Germany. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Metropolisnew.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Metropolisnew.jpg

19291929 Woman in the Moon. Woman in the Moon. Lang. Lang.• Origin of the 10-9-8-7… countdown.Origin of the 10-9-8-7… countdown.

Flash Gordon v Buck RogersFlash Gordon v Buck Rogers

Popular US serials, typically 12-15 Popular US serials, typically 12-15 episodes each.episodes each.• 1936 1936 Flash Gordon: Space SoldiersFlash Gordon: Space Soldiers• 1938 1938 Flash Gordon’s Trip to MarsFlash Gordon’s Trip to Mars• 1939 1939 Buck Rogers Conquers the UniverseBuck Rogers Conquers the Universe• 1940 1940 Flash Gordon Conquers the UniverseFlash Gordon Conquers the Universe

Flash: Flash: http://www.leconcombre.com/biblio/filmographie/serials-16.html

Buck: http://www.serialexperience.com/image_gallery/Buck_Rogers.jpgBuck: http://www.serialexperience.com/image_gallery/Buck_Rogers.jpg

Conclusions?Conclusions?

Longer and longer films, thanks to Longer and longer films, thanks to advances in the technology.advances in the technology.

Better and better special effects, Better and better special effects, production values.production values.

Sensational genres = big box office: Sensational genres = big box office: horror, adventure, science fiction horror, adventure, science fiction (before it had a name), noir.(before it had a name), noir.

The pulp era of Science The pulp era of Science Fiction (“Fiction (“ScientifictionScientifiction”)”)

SOAR – Global SFSOAR – Global SF

Spring 2010Spring 2010

D. W. KoonD. W. Koon

Pulp-era SFPulp-era SF

Cheap, lowbrow magazines for mass Cheap, lowbrow magazines for mass consumption. “Pulp” refers to the quality consumption. “Pulp” refers to the quality of paper used, as opposed to the “slicks”.of paper used, as opposed to the “slicks”.

““Pulps” published SF, detective (e.g. noir), Pulps” published SF, detective (e.g. noir), romance, horror, Western, true crimeromance, horror, Western, true crime

Is this the “Golden Age” of Science Is this the “Golden Age” of Science Fiction?Fiction?

What What isis the “Golden Age” of Science the “Golden Age” of Science Fiction?Fiction?

The Frank Reade series:The Frank Reade series:Dime store novels and penny dreadfulsDime store novels and penny dreadfuls

Steam Man: the world’s first robot:Steam Man: the world’s first robot: Steam Man of the PrairiesSteam Man of the Prairies: 1865; : 1865; Steam Man of the PlainsSteam Man of the Plains: :

1876. 1876. http://www.bigredhair.com/steamman/http://www.bigredhair.com/steamman/

Frank Reade, continuedFrank Reade, continued

Frank Reade’s Victorian Airships: http://bigredhair.com/airships/

“Steam rules!”

““Highbrow” SF novels of the eraHighbrow” SF novels of the era Jules Verne (1828-Jules Verne (1828-

1905).1905).• SF from 1863 to 1904.SF from 1863 to 1904.

• Wikipedia: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Vernewiki/Jules_Verne

Herbert George Wells Herbert George Wells (1866-1946).(1866-1946).• SF from 1888-1943.SF from 1888-1943.

• Time MagazineTime Magazine• http://www.time.com/http://www.time.com/

time/covers/time/covers/0,16641,1101260920,0,16641,1101260920,00.html?internalid=AC00.html?internalid=AC

Edgar Rice BurroughsEdgar Rice Burroughs(1875-1950)(1875-1950)

TarzanTarzan series (1912-1947) series (1912-1947) Barsoom Barsoom oror John Carter of Mars John Carter of Mars

series (1912-1948)series (1912-1948) Believed that "...if people were paid for Believed that "...if people were paid for

writing rot such as I read in some of those writing rot such as I read in some of those magazines that I could write stories just as magazines that I could write stories just as rotten. As a matter of fact, although I had rotten. As a matter of fact, although I had never written a story, I knew absolutely never written a story, I knew absolutely that I could write stories just as that I could write stories just as entertaining and probably a whole lot more entertaining and probably a whole lot more so than any I chanced to read in those so than any I chanced to read in those magazines." magazines."

Erbzine: http://www.erbzine.com/

Edgar Rice Burroughs’Edgar Rice Burroughs’A Princess of Mars A Princess of Mars (1912)(1912)

erbzine.com, amazon.comerbzine.com, amazon.com

Hugo Gernsback (1884-1967)Hugo Gernsback (1884-1967) 1904 Immigrates from Luxembourg1904 Immigrates from Luxembourg 1905 Founds Electric Importing 1905 Founds Electric Importing

CompanyCompany 1911 Writes 1911 Writes Ralph 124C 41+Ralph 124C 41+ 1926 Founds 1926 Founds Amazing StoriesAmazing Stories 1929 Starts 1929 Starts Wonder TalesWonder Tales Great Depression: Great Depression: Radio Craft, Radio Craft,

Short Wave Craft, SexologyShort Wave Craft, Sexology 80 patents at time of death80 patents at time of death 1953 First 1953 First Hugo AwardsHugo Awards awarded awarded

for science fiction.for science fiction.

Wikipedia.org

Ralph 124C 41+Ralph 124C 41+: Hugo Gernsback : Hugo Gernsback (1911)(1911)

Predictions:•Radar•2-way TV•Solar energy collection•Fluorescent lighting•Tape recording•Synthetic fabrics

Frank R. Paul gallery:http://www.frankwu.com/Paul-1.5A.html

Pulp SF classics: Pulp SF classics: Amazing Stories Amazing Stories (Gernsback,1926)(Gernsback,1926)

http://www.oldsfbooks.comhttp://www.oldsfbooks.com

John W. Campbell, Jr. (1910-1971)John W. Campbell, Jr. (1910-1971)

SF Author, Editor, MentorSF Author, Editor, Mentor Editor, 1938-1971, of Editor, 1938-1971, of

Astounding Science Fiction Astounding Science Fiction ((Analog Analog since 1960).since 1960).

““Stable of writers” includes Stable of writers” includes Heinlein, Asimov, Sturgeon, Heinlein, Asimov, Sturgeon, van Vogt, L. Ron Hubbardvan Vogt, L. Ron Hubbard

Memorial prizes for Best SF Memorial prizes for Best SF Novel, Best New Writer in his Novel, Best New Writer in his honorhonor http://www.fantascienza.com/

delos/delos55/img/robot/asimov/john-w-campbell.jpg

Pulp SF covers:Pulp SF covers:Astounding Science FictionAstounding Science Fiction

http://linesonpaper.tripod.com/zast531.jpg, http://linesonpaper.tripod.com/zast531.jpg, http://linesonpaper.tripod.com/zast1053.jpghttp://linesonpaper.tripod.com/zast1053.jpg

More pulp SF:More pulp SF:Buxom babes and bug-eyed monstersBuxom babes and bug-eyed monsters

http://www.oldsfbooks.com/http://www.oldsfbooks.com/

What is the “Golden Age” of What is the “Golden Age” of Science Fiction?Science Fiction?

““The Golden Age of Science Fiction is The Golden Age of Science Fiction is thirteen.”thirteen.”

– – Terry Carr? Damon Knight? Isaac Terry Carr? Damon Knight? Isaac Asimov? Harlan Ellison? James Asimov? Harlan Ellison? James Blish? Peter Graham?Blish? Peter Graham?

Works citedWorks cited

The Ultimate Science Fiction Guide site, The Ultimate Science Fiction Guide site, http://www.magicdragon.com/Ultimatehttp://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/SF-Index.html.SF/SF-Index.html.

The Internet Movie Database, The Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com.www.imdb.com.

Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org.Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org.

Works CitedWorks Cited• ““A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha A history of Science Fiction: prehistory”, Dr. Agatha

Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, Taormina, NVCC-Loudoun, http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/scifi/history/prehistory.htm.htm.

• Images:Images: Munchausen by Doré: Wikipedia Munchausen by Doré: Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dore-munchausen-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dore-munchausen-illustration.jpgillustration.jpg

Talos: Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Talos: Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, http://www.ics.forth.gr/cvrl/images/image003.jpg.http://www.ics.forth.gr/cvrl/images/image003.jpg.

Lucian: Wikipedia, Lucian: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lucian_Samosata.warj.phttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lucian_Samosata.warj.pngng

Icarus: Icarus Picture: Aviation University Icarus: Icarus Picture: Aviation University http://eaa.aviationuniversity.com/multimedia/img/icarus.gifhttp://eaa.aviationuniversity.com/multimedia/img/icarus.gif