10th World Science Fiction Convention
Encyclopedia
The 10th World Science Fiction Convention was held on Labor Day
weekend from August 30 - September 1, 1952 at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago
, Illinois
. Unlike most Worldcon
s before or since, it did not have a formal name other than "10th World Science Fiction Convention," as the convention's issued membership card stated; of the other Worldcons to date, only the 11th in Philadelphia, 1953, shared this same lack of a formal convention title. The 1952 Worldcon's formal name, in recent years, has been reduced to the acronyms TAWSFiC ("Tenth Anniversary World Science Fiction Convention") and TASFiC ("Tenth Anniversary Science Fiction Convention"); these full versions were used, variously, in the convention's three pre-convention "bulletins" (i.e. progress reports). Unofficially, the 10th Worldcon was referred to by many of its membership as simply Chicon II (after the previous Chicago Worldcon
held in 1940) and for many years thereafter became known by that name throughout science fiction fandom
. But the acronyms TAWSFiC, TASFiC, and Chicon II are unofficial; the convention committee, in its publications, never referred to the second Chicago Worldcon by these acronyms.
The convention chair was Julian C. May
(later also known as Judy Dikty). Hugo Gernsback
was the convention's official guest of honor. The program included the performance of an original science fiction ballet.
For many years this Worldcon held the record for the largest attendance at any science fiction convention, with 870 registered attendees, a figure which was not surpassed for a Worldcon until 1967 for Nycon 3
in New York. By way of comparison, the previous year's Worldcon, Nolacon
in New Orleans, had an attendance of 190.
It was at this Worldcon that the idea for the Hugo
science fiction awards was first proposed and adopted. These awards, the highest and oldest honor in science fiction, were first awarded at the 1953 Worldcon in Philadelphia.
The convention is said to have been the place where Sturgeon's Law
was first formulated (although other origin stories claim Sturgeon first articulated the concept in 1951, a year earlier). During a panel discussion on science fiction, one of the panelists observed that about 90% of science fiction was crud. Theodore Sturgeon
, also on the panel, replied that 90% of everything was crud.
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend from August 30 - September 1, 1952 at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. Unlike most Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
s before or since, it did not have a formal name other than "10th World Science Fiction Convention," as the convention's issued membership card stated; of the other Worldcons to date, only the 11th in Philadelphia, 1953, shared this same lack of a formal convention title. The 1952 Worldcon's formal name, in recent years, has been reduced to the acronyms TAWSFiC ("Tenth Anniversary World Science Fiction Convention") and TASFiC ("Tenth Anniversary Science Fiction Convention"); these full versions were used, variously, in the convention's three pre-convention "bulletins" (i.e. progress reports). Unofficially, the 10th Worldcon was referred to by many of its membership as simply Chicon II (after the previous Chicago Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
held in 1940) and for many years thereafter became known by that name throughout science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
. But the acronyms TAWSFiC, TASFiC, and Chicon II are unofficial; the convention committee, in its publications, never referred to the second Chicago Worldcon by these acronyms.
The convention chair was Julian C. May
Julian May
Julian May is an American science fiction, fantasy, horror, science and children's writer who also uses several literary pseudonyms, best known for her Saga of Pliocene Exile and Galactic Milieu Series books.- Background and early career :Julian May grew up in Elmwood Park, Illinois, a suburb of...
(later also known as Judy Dikty). Hugo Gernsback
Hugo Gernsback
Hugo Gernsback , born Hugo Gernsbacher, was a Luxembourgian American inventor, writer, editor, and magazine publisher, best remembered for publications that included the first science fiction magazine. His contributions to the genre as publisher were so significant that, along with H. G...
was the convention's official guest of honor. The program included the performance of an original science fiction ballet.
For many years this Worldcon held the record for the largest attendance at any science fiction convention, with 870 registered attendees, a figure which was not surpassed for a Worldcon until 1967 for Nycon 3
27th World Science Fiction Convention
The 27th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as St. Louiscon, was held 28 August – 1 September 1969 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St...
in New York. By way of comparison, the previous year's Worldcon, Nolacon
9th World Science Fiction Convention
The 9th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Nolacon I, was held 1–3 September 1951 at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.The chairman was Harry B. Moore.The guest of honor was Fritz Leiber....
in New Orleans, had an attendance of 190.
It was at this Worldcon that the idea for the Hugo
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
science fiction awards was first proposed and adopted. These awards, the highest and oldest honor in science fiction, were first awarded at the 1953 Worldcon in Philadelphia.
The convention is said to have been the place where Sturgeon's Law
Sturgeon's Law
Sturgeon's revelation, commonly referred to as Sturgeon's law, is an adage derived from quotations by Theodore Sturgeon, an American science fiction author. While Sturgeon coined another adage that he termed "Sturgeon's law", it is his "revelation" that is usually referred to by that term...
was first formulated (although other origin stories claim Sturgeon first articulated the concept in 1951, a year earlier). During a panel discussion on science fiction, one of the panelists observed that about 90% of science fiction was crud. Theodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
, also on the panel, replied that 90% of everything was crud.