Today in Science Fiction History. Our past’s view of the present/future. ‪#‎scifi‬ ‪#‎sciencefiction‬ ‪#‎doctorwho‬ ‪#‎startrek‬ ‪#‎starwars‬ ‪#‎scifichat

1902 – A Trip To The Moon, the 1st sci-fi film released

A Trip to the Moon released

1916 – Penny Santon, actress (Quantum Leap, Starman, Short Circuit, My Favorite Martian)

1917 – Samuel A. Peeples, writer (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Flash Gordon, Jason of Star Command, Space Academy, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek)

1934 – Chuck McCann, actor (Invasion, Sliders, Far Out Space Nuts)

1937 – Len Carlson, actor (Cypher)

1937 – Derek Fowlds, actor (Frankenstein Created Woman, The Solarnauts)

Derek Fowlds in The Solarnauts

1938 – Mary Jo Catlett, actress (ALF)

1944 – Vernor Vinge (won 1993 Hugo for A Fire on the Deep, won 2000 Hugo for A Deepness in the Sky, won 2007 Hugo for Rainbows End)

1950 – The 8th World Science Fiction Convention, called Norwescon, is held in Portland, Oregon, with Anthony Boucher as guest of honor. It attracts about 400 attendees, more than twice the size of previous “Worldcons.”

1951 – The ninth World Science Fiction Convention is held in New Orleans, with an attendance of 190. Fritz Leiber is guest of honor

1951 – Mark Harmon, actor (From the Earth to the Moon)

 

1955 – Linda Purl, actress (Time Travelers)

1955 – The 13th annual World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland, with Isaac Asimov as guest of honor, draws about 380 attendees.

1956 – The 14th annual World Science Fiction Convention, the first in New York since 1939, draws an attendance of about 850. Robert A. Heinlein wins the best novel Hugo for Double Star, and Robert Silverberg is “most promising new author.”

1964 – Morris Ankrum, actor, d @ 67 (Kronos, Earth vs Flying Saucers)

1964 – Keanu Reeves, actor (Matrix, Day The Earth Stood Still, A Scanner Darkly, Johnny Mnemonic)

Keanu Reeves in The Matrix

1966 – Tuc Watkins, actor (Warehouse 13, Infested)

1968 – Kristen Cloke, actress (The X Files, Space: Above and Beyond, Quantum Leap)

1968 – Cynthia Watros, actress (Warehouse 13, Mars)

1977 – Steve Dunne, actor, d @ 59 (Quatermass II)

1979 – Felix Aylmer, actor, d @ 90 (The Hands of Orlac, Out of the Unknown)

1985 – Allison Miller, actress (Terra Nova)

2000 – Jean Speegle Howard, actress, d @ 73 (Meego, Lois & Clark, Homeboys in Outer Space, Cocoon)

2000 – Curt Siodmak, sci-fi author, d @ 98 (Donovan’s Brain)

2001 – Troy Donohue, actor, d @ 65 (Omega Cop, Dr. Alien, Monster on the Campus, The Monolith Monsters)

2005 – Bob Denver, actor, d @ 70 (The Invisible Woman, ALF)

2011 – Apollo 18 released

2013 – Frederick Pohl, d @ 93, sci-fi author (won 1977 Nebula for Man Plus, 1978 Hugo and Nebula for Gateway)