Top-5 Tuesday- Pre-atomic Predictions

Though atomic power and the atomic bomb seem like very specific things for an author to be able to predict, they did not appear out of the blue. People have been speculating about the nature of atoms since before the time of Christ. Therefore, it makes sense that their power should have become the subject of discussion in science fiction before it became realized in actual science. The following five authors speculated and warned about what might lurk inside the fabric of matter.

1.The Crack of Doom by Robert Cromie (1895)-

Fifty years before the first atomic bomb was dropped in the Second World War, novelist Robert Cromie imagined a villain who developed a device able to unlock the atomic energy contained in matter for destructive purposes.

2. A Columbus of Space by Garrett P. Servis (1909)-

In his story about an adventure to the planet Venus, Servis imagines nuclear power employed in a less destructive manner- as the propulsion system for a space ship!

3. The Lord of Labor by George Griffith (1911)-

This novel, published after the author’s death, describes the technological terrors involved in a horrific future war. Griffith held to the idea that technology would someday become so powerful that it would make war too dangerous to engage in. Some of his predicted weapons included atomic missiles, and disintegrator rays.

4.  The World Set Free by H.G. Wells (1914)-

Definitely the most well-known and influential novel on this list, Well’s 1914 classic describes a horrific nuclear war, the likes of which, we still have not seen. As the experienced science fiction writer watched the progression of power sources, and weapons technology, he could only imagine how the atom could be utilized in the future.

5. “Deadline” by Cleve Cartmill (1944)-

After reading unclassified material on nuclear research being conducted at the time, Cartmill wrote a short story on the subject, and sold it to Amazing Science Fiction. While the plot is not considered to be groundbreaking or even all that substantial, the scientific details were convincing enough to warrant an FBI investigation into the author, Astounding Science Fiction’s editor, John W. Campbell, and several other notable sci-fi authors such as Asimov and Heinlein. Even when their fears of a leak of classified military secrets were allayed, they still asked Campbell to suspend publication of any nuclear-related stories until a later date.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top-5 Tuesday- Most Influential Science Fiction Magazines

Early in the 20th century, as science fiction came into its own, magazines of science fiction stories began to be published. These magazines were important in defining science fiction as a distinct genre, and have brought some of the greatest authors and ideas of sci-fi to the general public. To this day, science fiction magazines continue to introduce both up-and-coming and respected writers, and define the genre as it moves forward.

So, here are five of the most influential science fiction magazines of the past century:

5. Amazing Stories  (1926-2005)-

This pulpy magazine was the first one to devote itself solely to science fiction. Founded by the publishing company of Hugo Gernsback, Amazing Stories lasted for over eighty years and helped shape the genre.  

4. New Worlds (1936-1966)-

One of the most important British sci-fi magazines, New Worlds was created in part by science fiction giant Arthur C. Clarke. It featured many of Clarke’s stories, as well as those of other important British sci-fi writers, such as Brian Aldiss.

3. Asimov’s Science Fiction (founded 1977)-

Since its inception in 1977, Asimov’s science fiction has introduced the works of many writers who went on to make science fiction history. A few notable contributors include Orson Scott Card, Ursula K. LeGuin, Harlan Ellison, Fredrick Pohl, and of course Mr. Asimov himself. Asimov’s science fiction is still in publication today.

2. Fantasy and Science Fiction (founded 1949)-

Spanning two genres and nearly seven decades, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science fiction is one of the most widely read magazines in the genre. It has published authors such as Stephen King, Daniel Keyes, and David Gerrold, and continues to publish high quality speculative fiction.

1. Analog Science Fiction and Fact (founded 1930)-

Analog Science Fiction and Fact holds the distinction of being the longest-running science fiction magazine. June of 2015 saw the publication of its 1000th issue. It has published such distinguished authors as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Poul Anderson, and Orson Scott Card.

Are you a reader of science fiction magazines? What are your favorites? What else should I have included on this list. I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora