Today is also the birthday of Hugo Gernsback (1884-1967), the visionary pioneer who coined the term "scientifiction," which later became "science fiction," and founded Amazing Stories in 1926, the first science fiction magazine. He lives on through his writings such as the novel Ralph 124C 41+: A Romance of the Year 2660 (note how the title reads "Ralph, One to Foresee For One"!) and the award that is his namesake, The Hugo Award (for Achievement in Science Fiction).
In honor of Hugo Gernsback, a quote for the day:
Not only is science fiction an idea of tremendous import, but it is to be an important factor in making the world a better place to live in, through educating the public to the possibilities of science and the influence of science on life... If every man, woman, boy and girl, could be induced to read science fiction right along, there would certainly be a great resulting benefit to the community, in that the educational standards of its people would be raised immediately. Science fiction would make people happier, give them a broader understanding of the world, make them more tolerant.
-Hugo Gernsback, "Science Fiction Week" (1930)
- Current Music:"Essex," Mediaeval Baebes
Comments
Incidentally, the first time I remember hearing Hugo's name was as part of the title of the short story "The Gernsback Continuum" by William Gibson. Worth reading. It can be found in the collection Burning Chrome. It was originally published in OMNI in the early 80s.
I'll celebrate Hugo's birthday by writing and reading some SF.