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Fantasy Commentator, v. 1, issue 10, Spring 1946
Page 261
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FANTASY COMMENTATOR 261 The Immortal Storm A History of Science-Fiction Fandom by Sam Moskowitz (part 3) IX The New ISA and The International Observer In 1932, as a result of letters interchanged in the readers' column of Amazing Stories magazine, a correspondence had sprung up among Carl Johnson, E. C. Love, and Walter Kubilus. The three decided to form an organization for the benefit of science-fiction advocates, and, formulating it on the basis of Gernsback's ideal that fans should be science hobbyists (a genesis similar to that of the old Science Correspondence Club), they founded the Edison Science Club. Coincident with this action, The Edison Science Correspondence Club Journal was issued. Elections held in September, 1932 elevated Love to presidency, and gave the posts of vice-president and secretary-treasurer to Johnson and William Palmer respectively. At first the group prospered, but all too soon many felt hampered by the lack of facilities for expansion. So, believing that the organization was simply becoming enmired ever more deeply in a hopeless rut, members Kubilus and Gervais left the parent body and formulated plans for the Cosmos Science Club. When John B. Michel entered the scene he suggested the addition of the word "International" to the new club's title. And he, together with the other two, published a fan magazine, Radiogram, which published a miscellaneous assortment of odds and ends and ran for but two issues. Failing in his attempts to strengthen the Edison Science Club after the defection of Kubilus and Gervais, Love ceded all its rights to the other two for their International Cosmos Science Club and publicly announced the fact in a bulletin titled The Ediogram. Upon learning of the ICSC, William S. Sykora felt that it was an excellent beginning for a type of club he had in mind. He became a member, and noting that progress was at a virtual standstill because of abandonment of its publication and inefficient campaigning for new recruits---the latter reason, ironically enough, having been the main one for its secession from the parent IESC---he arranged with Michel for his own appointment to the chairmanship to a committee possessing virtually dictatorial powers, being even entrusted with the authority to interpret the club's constitution to the membership. But before describing the first important events of Sykora's fan career, let us consider briefly the man's background. Sykora first appeared on the scene during the latter days of the Scienceers. Indeed, after the dissolution of this group, he approached Glasser and Unger early in 1934 in an unsuccessful attempt to bring about its revival. To understand him best, it must be realized that William Sykora was an old-time science-fictionist. He epitomized the Gernsback ideal that all readers of the genre should consider the advancement of science their serious aim. He had amassed a solid scientific background, and his cellar boasted a well-equipped laboratory. Beside an excellent science-fiction collection rested an imposing assemblage of scientific tomes. Several short articles by him had appeared in the pages of Science and Mechanics, including "A Scientific Paradox," a prize-winning entry in a contest sponsored by this magazine. He garnered yet another prize in a similar contest published in Mechanics and Handicraft. Undoubtedly he was a person of intelligence and capability. The old ISA and its Cosmology had always fascinated him; to his mind, this was the type of organization fandom needed. And when all efforts to revive the Scienceers came to naught, he therefore cast about for means whereby a new group con-
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FANTASY COMMENTATOR 261 The Immortal Storm A History of Science-Fiction Fandom by Sam Moskowitz (part 3) IX The New ISA and The International Observer In 1932, as a result of letters interchanged in the readers' column of Amazing Stories magazine, a correspondence had sprung up among Carl Johnson, E. C. Love, and Walter Kubilus. The three decided to form an organization for the benefit of science-fiction advocates, and, formulating it on the basis of Gernsback's ideal that fans should be science hobbyists (a genesis similar to that of the old Science Correspondence Club), they founded the Edison Science Club. Coincident with this action, The Edison Science Correspondence Club Journal was issued. Elections held in September, 1932 elevated Love to presidency, and gave the posts of vice-president and secretary-treasurer to Johnson and William Palmer respectively. At first the group prospered, but all too soon many felt hampered by the lack of facilities for expansion. So, believing that the organization was simply becoming enmired ever more deeply in a hopeless rut, members Kubilus and Gervais left the parent body and formulated plans for the Cosmos Science Club. When John B. Michel entered the scene he suggested the addition of the word "International" to the new club's title. And he, together with the other two, published a fan magazine, Radiogram, which published a miscellaneous assortment of odds and ends and ran for but two issues. Failing in his attempts to strengthen the Edison Science Club after the defection of Kubilus and Gervais, Love ceded all its rights to the other two for their International Cosmos Science Club and publicly announced the fact in a bulletin titled The Ediogram. Upon learning of the ICSC, William S. Sykora felt that it was an excellent beginning for a type of club he had in mind. He became a member, and noting that progress was at a virtual standstill because of abandonment of its publication and inefficient campaigning for new recruits---the latter reason, ironically enough, having been the main one for its secession from the parent IESC---he arranged with Michel for his own appointment to the chairmanship to a committee possessing virtually dictatorial powers, being even entrusted with the authority to interpret the club's constitution to the membership. But before describing the first important events of Sykora's fan career, let us consider briefly the man's background. Sykora first appeared on the scene during the latter days of the Scienceers. Indeed, after the dissolution of this group, he approached Glasser and Unger early in 1934 in an unsuccessful attempt to bring about its revival. To understand him best, it must be realized that William Sykora was an old-time science-fictionist. He epitomized the Gernsback ideal that all readers of the genre should consider the advancement of science their serious aim. He had amassed a solid scientific background, and his cellar boasted a well-equipped laboratory. Beside an excellent science-fiction collection rested an imposing assemblage of scientific tomes. Several short articles by him had appeared in the pages of Science and Mechanics, including "A Scientific Paradox," a prize-winning entry in a contest sponsored by this magazine. He garnered yet another prize in a similar contest published in Mechanics and Handicraft. Undoubtedly he was a person of intelligence and capability. The old ISA and its Cosmology had always fascinated him; to his mind, this was the type of organization fandom needed. And when all efforts to revive the Scienceers came to naught, he therefore cast about for means whereby a new group con-
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