Astounding Stories - Volume 2, No. 1

Introduction

Science Fiction has always drawn some of our most creative writers to its form. Back in the early decades of the twentieth century events conspired to propel the whole genre forward from the earlier works of Jules Verne and other luminaries. New media technologies were coming to the fore with radio and television to add to new industrial processes and ideas. Hollywood’s golden years were creating ‘escapist fare’ as the world battled with war and depression where the impossible seemed possible. On the streets pulp magazines were becoming the dominant form of mass market reading. The real world had shrunk and other worlds were sought. Writers were able to fuse ideas with technical ‘know how’ and create fabulous inventions of other worlds and other times. These inspired other writers to re-imagine almost everything in the search for new situations and environments. A Golden Age was upon us. These are their stories…….