Morojo
This article or section needs expansion. |
| Fan | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Myrtle Rebecca Douglas Smith Gray Nolan |
| Alias(es): | Morojo, Myrtle R. Douglas |
| Type: | fanzine publisher and cosplay pioneer |
| Fandoms: | science fiction |
| Communities: | |
| Other: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Morojo (June 20, 1904 - November 30, 1964) was a science fiction fan, fanzine publisher, and cosplay pioneer from Los Angeles.
Like many early science fiction fans, Morojo was an Esperanto enthusiast and her fannish name is an Esperantoism,[1] as well as those of her son and cousin, Vodoso and Pogo thee Esperanto name for Virgil Smith and Patti Gray.
Morojo served as treasurer and in other roles for the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society for many years and was also a member of the Fantasy Amateur Press Association.
Cosplay
Morojo is considered a groundbreaking cosplay pioneer who, in 1939, appeared at the first Worldcon in the first known hall costume. The costume, which was designed by Morojo, is often referred to as futuricostume. She was accompanied by her partner at the time, Forrest J Ackerman, who was wearing a matching costume also made by Morojo.
In 2016, the International Costumers Guild (ICG) recognized her as the “Mother of Convention Costuming” with a video award presentation at MidAmeriCon II, the 74th Worldcon.[2]
Zines
- Guteto, a FAPAzine featuring large sections in Esperanto (June 1941 - July 1946) [3]
- Stephan the STFAN, a fanzine containing fan autographs (1939-1946) [4]
- Imagination!, predecessor of VOM (below); co-published with Ackerman, a science-fiction letterzine based in LA (1937-1938)
- Voice of the Imagi-Nation, co-published with Ackerman, a science-fiction letterzine based in LA (1939-1947)
Awards
- 1939 Best Fanzine Retro Hugo (awarded in 2014) [5]
- 1945 Best Fanzine Retro Hugo (awarded in 2020) [6]
Articles
- Morojo vs Moskowitz, Science Fiction Collector volume 5 issue 4 (1939)
Links & Resources
- Morojo on Fancyclopedia
- Who's Who in Fandom 1940: Douglas, Myrtle (Morojo), Archived version
- Wikipedia:Morojo
Further Reading
- Obituaries, Archived version by Elmer Perdue (writing as 520 07 0328) and Forrest J Ackerman, 1965
- Meet the Woman Who Invented Cosplay, Archived version by Jennifer Culp, 2016
References
- ^ See: Esperanto, Archived version on Fancyclopedia
- ^ See: Myrtle R Douglas: Mother of Convention Costuming on YouTube (2016)
- ^ See: Guteto (Fancyclopedia) and Guteto (The Fanac Fan History Project)
- ^ Stephan the STFAN at fanac.org
- ^ Retro Hugo 1930
- ^ Retro Hugo 1945