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Fantasy Fan, v. 2, issue 1, whole no. 13, September 1934

Page 11

September, 1934, THE FANTASY FAN     11

NOTES ON BOB OLSEN

by Forrest J. Ackerman

So successfully received was his "Ant With a Human Soul," Bob Olsen has written and had published by Amazing Stories another ant story "Peril Among the Drivers." He has another, but dissimiliar type of "Antale"--to coin a word to describe his series--in preparation. In this story, no unusual or grotesque Gi-ants appear, but the ordinary-sized insects band together to overthrow mankind; a possibility not to improbable, Bob believss.
In connection with ants, Bob was recently invited to speak on them at the Adventurer's Club, an organization of internationally famous men, such well-known figures as "Skipper" Dixon, author of the recent Liberty serial, "Marriage Drums," being members. Previously, at informal gatherings, Bob has given impromptu talks on ants, rockets, interplanetary flight, and--of course--the fourth dimension. (Bob, incidentally, was a mathematics teacher for ten years.)
"Of the three subjects, however," Bob observed, "the audience always seemed most interested in the life of the ants: how they maintain slaves, cultivate gardens, domesticate insects, have bootleggers, fight wars, and play games. Though an ant never built an automobile or invented a radio, the insect is still a far more brilliant creature than generally considered to be. In some ways, considering their handicasp, the ant almost surpasses Man in accomplishments. Next to Man, they rate highest in intelligence. The termites and then the bees follow..."
In addition to his literary work, Bob Olsen is the Advertising Manager of a Los Angeles real estate concern. One day, during the noon hour, Bob had an idea for a new murder mystery. In the process of cerebrating the details of the plot, he gazed out of the window with a far-away expression on his face. Unperceived by him, the secretary of the corporation approached and sat down at the desk at Bob's elbow. He waited awhile for the Advertising Manager to recognize him, but Bob seemed staa-gazing, dead to the world.
Finally the official said, "what are you thinking about, Bob?"
Startled by this unexpected voice right in his ear, Bob jumped up and yelled, "MURDER!"
Then it was the boss' turn to jump --whereupon Bob explained that he had been concocting an ingenious scheme for committing homicide, which he expected to use in one of his "Master of Mystery" stories.
Again, some years back when Bob was in the midst of "The Four Dimensional Rolle-Press," "Four Dimensional Surgery," "Four Dimensional Robberies," etc., Dr. Miles J. Breuer sent Amazing Stories a dimensional tale -- shall we say fourth dimensionarrative?--because he "didn't like the way Bob Olsen wrote them." Strangely enough, at the same time Bob submitted his "Super - Perfect Bride." The two author's stories appeared int he same issue of Amazing, the math teacher showing the doctor how to write a medical tale, and the
(continued on page 15)

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September, 1934, THE FANTASY FAN 11 NOTES ON BOB OLSEN by Forrest J. Ackerman So successfully received was his "Ant With a Human Soul," Bob Olsen has written and had published by Amazing Stories another ant story "Peril Among the Drivers." He has another, but dissimiliar type of "Antale"--to coin a word to describe his series--in preparation. In this story, no unusual or grotesque Gi-ants appear, but the ordinary-sized insects band together to overthrow mankind; a possibility not to improbable, Bob believss. In connection with ants, Bob was recently invited to speak on them at the Adventurer's Club, an organization of internationally famous men, such well-known figures as "Skipper" Dixon, author of the recent Liberty serial, "Marriage Drums," being members. Previously, at informal gatherings, Bob has given impromptu talks on ants, rockets, interplanetary flight, and--of course--the fourth dimension. (Bob, incidentally, was a mathematics teacher for ten years.) "Of the three subjects, however," Bob observed, "the audience always seemed most interested in the life of the ants: how they maintain slaves, cultivate gardens, domesticate insects, have bootleggers, fight wars, and play games. Though an ant never built an automobile or invented a radio, the insect is still a far more brilliant creature than generally considered to be. In some ways, considering their handicasp, the ant almost surpasses Man in accomplishments. Next to Man, they rate highest in intelligence. The termites and then the bees follow..." In addition to his literary work, Bob Olsen is the Advertising Manager of a Los Angeles real estate concern. One day, during the noon hour, Bob had an idea for a new murder mystery. In the process of cerebrating the details of the plot, he gazed out of the window with a far-away expression on his face. Unperceived by him, the secretary of the corporation approached and sat down at the desk at Bob's elbow. He waited awhile for the Advertising Manager to recognize him, but Bob seemed staa-gazing, dead to the world. Finally the official said, "what are you thinking about, Bob?" Startled by this unexpected voice right in his ear, Bob jumped up and yelled, "MURDER!" Then it was the boss' turn to jump --whereupon Bob explained that he had been concocting an ingenious scheme for committing homicide, which he expected to use in one of his "Master of Mystery" stories. Again, some years back when Bob was in the midst of "The Four Dimensional Rolle-Press," "Four Dimensional Surgery," "Four Dimensional Robberies," etc., Dr. Miles J. Breuer sent Amazing Stories a dimensional tale -- shall we say fourth dimensionarrative?--because he "didn't like the way Bob Olsen wrote them." Strangely enough, at the same time Bob submitted his "Super - Perfect Bride." The two author's stories appeared int he same issue of Amazing, the math teacher showing the doctor how to write a medical tale, and the (continued on page 15)