FANTASTIC SCIENCE FACT & FICTION UNIVERSE

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC SCIENCE FACT & FICTION UNIVERSE
Issue: October 1959
Volume: 1
Publisher: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company
Price: 35c

This issue of Fantastic Science Fact & Fiction Universe presents a blend of speculative fiction and factual exploration, with a prominent cover story on "The Abominable Snowman" and a comprehensive historical overview of space travel concepts in literature.

Two Thousand Years of Space Travel by Sam Moskowitz

This extensive article traces the evolution of ideas about space travel from humanity's earliest observations of the cosmos to the burgeoning science fiction of the mid-20th century. Moskowitz highlights how ancient myths and philosophical conjectures laid the groundwork for later literary explorations of interplanetary journeys.

Ancient Speculations and Early Interplanetary Tales

The article begins by noting that humans have always gazed at the stars, with early conjectures recorded on parchment. Philosophers like Anaximander, Philolaus, and Plutarch speculated about the moon being inhabited. Lucian of Samosata, a Syrian writer from around 125 A.D., is credited with the first interplanetary speculations, penning tales of trips to the moon such as "The True History" and "Icaro-Menippus." These were preceded by popular "Travel Tales" like Homer's Odyssey, which often served as precursors to science fiction by exploring the unknown.

Medieval and Renaissance Imaginings

While many early tales are lost, the article mentions Francis Godwin's "Man in the Moone" (published in 1638), where the character Domingo Gonsales travels to the moon via a flock of birds. This work is noted for attempting to lend scientific conviction to the narrative. The belief that birds might hibernate on the moon was a concept explored.

The Enlightenment and Early Scientific Approaches

Cyrano de Bergerac is presented as a significant figure who wrote scientific excursions, including his unfinished novel "Voyage to the Sun." He proposed a space ship powered by the sun's rays focused by concave mirrors, creating a reaction drive. The article notes that while some imitators were less scientific, Cyrano's work was influential. The development of the interplanetary story is linked to the translation of Lucian's works into English in 1634. Prior to this, Ludovico Ariosto used a heavenly saint for lunar travel in "Orlando Furioso" (1516).

Johannes Kepler's "Somnium" (written 1608, published 1634) is mentioned for its exploration of space travel, and Francis Godwin's "Man in the Moone" (1638) is discussed again for its mechanical harness and seat for bird-powered travel. John Wilkins' "A Discovery of a New World" (1638) is highlighted as a non-fiction work evaluating problems of space travel, including distance, supplies, and airlessness, and proposing methods like attaching wings, taming giant birds, or constructing a flying chariot.

18th Century Innovations and Variations

Cyrano de Bergerac's "Voyage to the Moon" (1657) is praised for its imaginative suggestions, including the use of rockets, ramjet principles, and internal combustion machines. Gabriel Daniel's "A Voyage to the World of Cartesius" (1690) is noted for a less scientific approach, involving wishing oneself to the moon. David Russen's "Iter Lunare" (1703) proposed a catapult system for lunar travel. Daniel Defoe's "The Consolidator" (1705) described a machine with giant wings powered by an internal combustion engine. Samuel Brunt's "A Voyage to Cacklogallinia" (1727) used birds as motive power, with the passenger in a feather-lined "palanquin."

Illustrations depict various early concepts, including a giant enclosed space vessel propelled by expelling liquid and a flying city. Murtagh McDermot's "Trip to the Moon" (1728) involved a return to Earth using a reaction to gunpowder. An anonymous author's "A New Journey to the World in the Moon" (pre-1741) used ingenuity for return. The article also mentions Rudolph Eric Raspe's collection of Baron Munchausen's moon trips, one involving a fast-growing bean stalk and another a whirlwind-powered ship.

19th Century Advancements and Themes

Ralph Morris's "A Narrative of the Life and Astonishing Adventures of John Daniel" (1751) featured a moonship with a winged platform and a pump handle. Reverend Miles Wilson's "The Man in the Moon" advocated a do-it-yourself approach. Baron Munchausen's journeys are recounted, including one using a whirlwind. Aratus's "A Voyage to the Moon" (1793) is noted as an early use of a balloon for space travel. Nicholas Lunatic's "A Voyage to the Moon" (1808) also used a similar conveyance.

The first known American interplanetary story, George Fowler's "A Flight to the Moon" (1813), is mentioned for its use of angels as a vehicle, but also for presenting provocative scientific ideas. E.F. Burney's 1815 sketches are noted for early illustrations of space suits. Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" (1865) is described with its segmented space train concept, though an ordinary shell vehicle was used in the novel. The article notes the cannon method for propulsion, raised by public subscription by the Gun Club of Baltimore, with the firing near Tampa, Florida.

Edgar Allan Poe's "Hans Phaall" (1835) is discussed for its methodical approach to space travel problems, including the idea of a gas lighter than hydrogen for balloon travel. Sidney Whiting's "Helionde-Adventures in the Sun" (1855) explored matter transmission. Crysostum Trueman's "A Voyage to the Moon" (1864) is detailed for its focus on anti-gravity metal and a day-by-day account of a lunar flight. The article also mentions Verne's "Around the Moon" (1870).

Achille Eyroud's "Voyage A' Venus" (1865) is noted as an early work using the reaction-engine principle. The article touches on French experiments with balloons in 1877. Hugh MacCall's "Mr. Stranger's Sealed Packet" (1889) concerned a trip to Mars. Andre Laurie's "The Conquest of the Moon" (1889) used giant magnets. Richard R. Montgomery's "Two Boys' Trip to an Unknown Planet" (1889) is mentioned for its interstellar ship and the author's assumption that breathing would not be necessary in space.

Percy Greg's "Across the Zodiac" (1886) is noted for pioneering Mars as a locale and using an anti-gravity concept called "Apergy." Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyma's "Aleriel; A Voyage to Other Worlds" (1886) featured a winged alien and an "ether ship."

Special Fact Section: "The Abominable Snowman" by Ivan T. Sanderson

This section focuses on the enigmatic Abominable Snowman, also known as the Yeti. Ivan T. Sanderson, a noted cryptozoologist and author, explores the phenomenon, often linking it to potential UFO sightings and other unexplained aerial phenomena. The article likely delves into eyewitness accounts, physical evidence (or lack thereof), and the cultural context of the creature, possibly suggesting a connection between these mysterious entities and extraterrestrial or unknown aerial craft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science fact and science fiction, with a particular interest in the historical development of speculative ideas. The editorial stance appears to be one that values rigorous investigation into unexplained phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed historical account of space travel and the dedicated feature on the Abominable Snowman, suggesting a belief in the possibility of the unknown and the exploration of frontiers, both terrestrial and cosmic. The emphasis on early scientific thought and its influence on modern concepts indicates a respect for the origins of scientific inquiry and imagination.

This document, page 79 of a publication, features two main articles: "LIFE FORM FROM OUTER SPACE" and "TWO THOUSAND YEARS OF SPACE TRAVEL." The cover headline prominently displays "LIFE FORM FROM OUTER SPACE."

LIFE FORM FROM OUTER SPACE

The article "LIFE FORM FROM OUTER SPACE" posits a definite ecological pattern throughout the universe. It suggests that while humans have acknowledged the purpose and function of other species on Earth, humanity has yet to discover its own place and purpose. The core message from "visitors from outer space" is that "Man has purpose." The text argues that mankind is the "seeder of the universe," emigrating to distant planets to bring improvements, adaptations, and advanced life forms. This process is presented as the reason for sudden upsurges in the evolution of species, races, or planets. The article defines man's ecological nature as being the "sower, the reaper, and the colonizer," thus securing his place in the grand plan of evolution.

A note indicates that permission to use material relating to films and information about "life form from outer space" was finally granted by Howard Menger after months of persuasion by his wife, Marla Baxter.

TWO THOUSAND YEARS OF SPACE TRAVEL

This section, continued from page 88, discusses early space travel illustrations. It highlights one of the earliest known space suit illustrations, dating back to 1889, which also depicted women's styles. This drawing is attributed to R. Vincrot, who illustrated the two-volume "Adventures Extraordinaries d'un Savant Russe" by G. Le Faure and H. de Graffigny. The narrative within this work describes characters being shot to the moon from a cannon, a concept similar to that described by Jules Verne.

The article further references a "remarkable two volume illustrated French work" by collaborators G. Le Faure and H. de Graffigny, titled "The Savant Russe" and "Le Soleil te les Petites Planetes." The first volume details a trip to the moon, and the second, a trip to the asteroids. The mode of transport is again a ship shot from a cannon, featuring clearly drawn space suits that are described as unusually advanced for their time.

A note clarifies that these illustrations are from the private collection of the author.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue touches upon themes of cosmic ecology, human purpose in the universe, and the historical imagination of space travel. The "Life Form From Outer Space" article presents a philosophical and somewhat spiritual view of humanity's role in cosmic evolution, while the "Two Thousand Years of Space Travel" section focuses on the historical and artistic representations of space exploration, particularly through early science fiction literature and illustration. The editorial stance appears to be one that explores speculative concepts about extraterrestrial life and humanity's place in the cosmos, while also appreciating historical contributions to the genre of space exploration in fiction.