Questions tagged [history-of]
For questions about the history of the genre: the origin and evolution of ideas in speculative fiction. Example topics include the first work of speculative fiction with a particular property, or the origin of a term or trope.
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What was the first science fiction or fantasy element to appear in any Batman comic?
Batman is obviously an on-topic character for our site. He regularly teams up with or confronts aliens and has awesome technology at his fingertips even if he himself is "just a man in a suit&...
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Which was the first story to feature humans achieving immortality through science and technology advancements?
In 1956's Isaac Asimov's "The Last Question", in the future, humans were able to travel and colonize other galaxies and they also achieved immortality through science and technology ...
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What is the first science-fiction film that features the Silence Group?
According to Donald Keyhoe, author of "The Flying Saucer Conspiracy," the phrase "Silence Group" has been used in UFO circles since the early 1950s. Wikipedia (entry: UFO ...
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When were Oreo cookies retconned to Chocos in the DC Universe?
Manhunter's affection for Oreo cookies (by name) was first evidenced in Justice League International #8, but when and where were they retconned to DC Brand X "Chocos?"
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Was Star Trek the first TV series or even movie that dealt with the great distances between galaxies?
In multiple episodes the incredible distance between The Milky Way and Andromeda is dealt with fairly accurately or at least consistently: even at highest warp the 2 million light years that separate ...
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Which female character in the MCU had the earliest comic book debut?
I recently stumbled upon a fascinating question here: “Which character in the MCU had the earliest comic debut?” While reading through the answers, I couldn’t help but notice that they all featured ...
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Looking for mid-1980's list of Science Fiction Landmark works
Back in the mid-1980s (it's unlikely to have been earlier than 1982 or later than 1987), I picked up a list of important/significant Science Fiction works.
It was called something like "The ...
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What is the first Sci-Fi/Fantasy film to include adverts for fake films with real actors?
A scene in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, includes adverts for three films that have been made up for the scene.
Jack and the Behnstalks starring Robin Williams
Tsunami Sunrise starring Tom Hanks
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First mention of Einstein in Science Fiction?
We have seen Edison in a sort of War of the Worlds sequel written soon after Wells' novel but I do not think he authorized it.
My guess is Einstein came much later, his name and work not nearly as ...
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First mention of barcodes in science fiction
Inspired by this question Sci Fi Dystopia: people classified by color coded bloodlines barcodes I wonder if anyone knows the earliest mention of barcodes in a SF book/film/TV show etc?
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Earliest Depiction of Cultivated Meat in Science Fiction
I often see Mizora from 1880 thrown around as the earliest title where artificial/cultivated meat makes an appearance but I'm wondering if it was really the earliest. For instance, I know Winston ...
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Origin of chronokinetic receivers
What was the first story to feature the idea that time travel requires a receiver as well as a transmitter?
By "time travel" I mean moving a material body backwards in time; no time viewers, ...
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Earliest English-language fiction about humanoid "piloted" by tiny people
This question: Manga about miniature people piloting cloned women, movies like "Inside Out" and shows like the "Let's Kill Hitler" episode of the Doctor Who revival series got me ...
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First sci-fi TV or film to use real world advertising of related products to bring those products into the canon of the universe
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, includes a news report within the film that describes the history of the Ghostbusters.
This news report users two items of real world footage about Ghostbusters related ...
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First story where a real world, world leader travels in time to a period that is contemporary to the story?
In the German novel Er ist wieder da, translated as He's back again, and released in the English speaking market as Look Who's Back. Adolf Hitler suddenly wakes up in 2011
Germany, with no knowledge ...
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