The first Golden Age of Science Fiction — often recognized as the period from the 1938 to 1946 — was an era during which the science fiction genre gained wide public attention and many classic science fiction stories were published. In the history of science fiction, the Golden Age follows the "pulp era" of the 1920s and 30s, and precedes New Wave science fiction of the 1960s and 70s. The 1950s are a transitional period in this scheme, however Robert Silverberg saw the 1950s as the true center of the Golden Age.
According to historian Adam Roberts, "the phrase Golden Age valorises a particular sort of writing: 'Hard SF', linear narratives, heroes solving problems or countering threats in a space-opera or technological-adventure idiom."
Read more about Golden Age Of Science Fiction: From Gernsback To Campbell, Developments in The Genre, Cultural Significance, Prominent Golden Age Authors, End of The Golden Age
Famous quotes containing the words science fiction, golden, age, science and/or fiction:
“Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything. We can’t talk about science, because our knowledge of it is limited and unofficial, and usually our fiction is dreadful.”
—Philip K. Dick (1928–1982)
“For lust of knowing what should not be known,
We take the Golden Road to Samarkand.”
—James Elroy Flecker (1884–1915)
“The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.”
—Sigmund Z. Engel (b. 1869)
“After science comes sentiment.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“The obvious parallels between Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz have frequently been noted: in both there is the orphan hero who is raised on a farm by an aunt and uncle and yearns to escape to adventure. Obi-wan Kenobi resembles the Wizard; the loyal, plucky little robot R2D2 is Toto; C3PO is the Tin Man; and Chewbacca is the Cowardly Lion. Darth Vader replaces the Wicked Witch: this is a patriarchy rather than a matriarchy.”
—Andrew Gordon, U.S. educator, critic. “The Inescapable Family in American Science Fiction and Fantasy Films,” Journal of Popular Film and Television (Summer 1992)