Early Science Fiction

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the first science fiction novel. While earlier authors created voyages to the moon and other "science fiction" themes, Shelley was the first to speculate on what could happen if scientific principles were applied. (In this case, Erasmus Darwin's studies on the nature of life).

Modern science fiction has its roots in the works of two authors: Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the first two successful authors of science fiction. Verne is known for his story-telling abilities; Wells for his inventive imagination.

Science fiction became popular with the advent of the " Pulps." Popular magazines like Astounding and Wonder Stories began in the late 1920's and early 30's. They nurtured the careers of many famous writers, including Isaac Asimov, & Arthur C. Clarke. Stories from their pages form a veritable "who's who" of great works of science fiction. Filmed versions of science fiction stories, such as Metropolis and King Kong also advanced the popularity of science fiction literature.