1. Science Fiction: From Pulps to Cyberpunk “John W. Campbell and the Golden Era of SF” 1935 -1975

2. For Consideration: Week 2: “The Grandmasters of SF”

3. Names We Know John W. Campbell, (Publisher, Author) – 1910 - 1971 As the editor of the best paying SF magazine, Campbell shaped SF for decades to come, demanding writers craft stories with “real characters and real science.”

4. John W. Campbell: “The most powerful force in science fiction ever, and for the first ten years of his editorship [of Astounding] he dominated the field completely.” – Isaac Asimov

5. Campbell’s Authors: Isaac Asimov Lester del Rey L. Sprague de Camp Robert Heinlein A.E. van Vogt Theodore Sturgeon and many others.

6. The ‘Big Three’ Isaac Asimov, (Author, scientist) – 1920 - 1992 (Author, scientist) – 1920 - 1992 Best known for the Three Laws of Robotics, and the Foundation Trilogy

7. The ‘Big Three’ Arthur C. Clarke, (Author, scientist) – 1917 – (Author, scientist) – 1917 – Best known for predictions of satellites, and 2001: A Space Odyssey

8. The ‘Big Three’ Robert Heinlein, (Author, engineer) – 1907 - 1988 (Author, engineer) – 1907 - 1988 Hailed as perhaps the greatest SF writer ever.

9. Robert Heinlein Universe Double Star Starship Troopers Revolt in 2300 AD The Puppet Masters The Door into Summer The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Stranger in a Strange Land

10. Campbell begins as editor of Astounding Timeline The Atomic Age 1938 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 Golden Age of SF magazines – over 50 on the stands! Satellites – and TV in, radio dramas out, Star Trek ends run 2001: A Space Odyssey wows critics. ‘B’ Movies Reign!

11. Writers of the Era 1950’s: Ray Bradbury William Tenn Kurt Vonnegut 1960’s: John Brunner Philip K. Dick Harlan Ellison 1970’s: Larry Niven Roger Zalazny

12. The Changing World From words, to radio, to movies and TV

13. Next Week The Future Wears mirrored shades! Star Wars rocks the world, and SF hits the New York Times Best-Seller List!

14. Some Links Golden Age Writers Golden Age Writers Old Time Radio Old Time Radio TV in the Twilight Zone TV in the Twilight Zone Marvel Comics - the Silver Age Marvel Comics - the Silver Age

15. Created by: Russell Gifford Spectacular Voyage: Lewis and Clark in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota (2002) Learning the Great Battles of the American Civil War (CD Rom learning series, 2005) Mass Media and Big Government (Multi-media lecture series, 2006)

16. Additional Information Overview (Click to download file) © 2006, Russell Gifford May be used with permission Write to rgifford@russgifford.net rgifford@russgifford.net