FANTASTIC SCIENCE FACT & FICTION UNIVERSE

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC SCIENCE FACT & FICTION UNIVERSE
Issue Date: MARCH 1960
Price: 35¢

This issue of Fantastic Science Fact & Fiction Universe is a science fiction magazine from March 1960, featuring a mix of novels, short stories, and factual articles. The cover art depicts a stylized alien figure and a UFO, hinting at the genre's themes.

Featured Content

"The Mind Thing" by Fredric Brown

The issue prominently features the beginning of an exciting new novel titled "The Mind Thing" by Fredric Brown. The excerpt provided on page 79 shows a dialogue between characters named Dave and another unnamed individual discussing finances, marriage, and family obligations, suggesting a human-centric plot within the science fiction context.

"Skies of Infamy" by Lester Del Rey

Another significant piece is a new article titled "Skies of Infamy" by Lester Del Rey, a well-known figure in science fiction.

"The Abominable Coalman" by Ivan T. Sanderson

This article delves into a scientific controversy surrounding the fossil primate Oreopithecus. Ivan T. Sanderson discusses a paper published in the journal "Antiquity" by Dr. J.C. Trevor of Cambridge University, which reportedly reaffirms the purely humanoid characteristics of the Oreopithecus bones found in Miocene strata. These fossils, estimated to be 12,000,000 years old, challenge existing anthropological timelines and the Darwinian theory of evolution. Sanderson notes that the findings have caused significant debate and potential reevaluation of textbooks, with previous work by scientists like Huezeler, Dart, Broom, Weidenreich, and von Koenigswald being mentioned in the context of early human or ape-like ancestors.

Short Stories

• The issue also includes stories by:
• Robert F. Young
• Jorge Luis Borges
• Wenzel Brown
• Robert Bloch

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover a range of science fiction and science fact topics, with a particular interest in mysteries of prehistory, evolution, and potentially extraterrestrial phenomena, as suggested by the cover art and the article on Oreopithecus. The inclusion of both fictional narratives and speculative factual articles indicates an editorial stance that bridges imaginative storytelling with scientific inquiry, even when that inquiry touches on controversial or fringe topics.