Philadelphia -- Convention City
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| Title: | Philadelphia -- Convention City |
| Creator: | Robert A. Madle |
| Date(s): | November 1939 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Science Fiction |
| Topic: | First Eastern Science Fiction Convention, Michelism, Worldcon 1940 |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Philadelphia -- Convention City was an article published by Robert Madle in issue 4 of Ad Astra. Madle described the beginnings of science fiction conventions in the US, and the beginnings of Michelism in Donald A. Wollheim and John B. Michel's speech at the Third Eastern Science Fiction Convention in 1937. He ended with some predictions for the upcoming Chicago World Science Fiction Convention in 1940. Madle's opinion was that Philadelphia had hosted the friendliest conventions of any other city.
Quotes
[Philadelphia] is noted in the science fiction world as being probably the smoothest-going science fiction city. In Philadelphia you have never found two factions attempting to cut each other’s throats. There has been only one science fiction organization; the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, formerly the Philadelphia Science Fiction League. This organization is composed of quite a few well-known S-F fans including Milton A. Rothman, John V. Baltadonis, Oswald Train, Robert A. Madle, Jack Agnew, etc. And let me repeat; the Philly fans love one another, and there has yet to be any dissension among members....
The first science fiction convention ever held materialized in October, 1936. The PSFS was informed by the New York Branch of the International Scientific Association to prepare for a visit from them. Little did either the PSFS nor the NYBISA realize that this historic gathering would be the forerunner of all subsequent conventions. However, to be brief, members William S. Sykora, Donald A. Wolheim, John B. Michel, David A. Kyle, Herbert Goudket, and Frederik Pohl, all active fans, arrived en masse on a chilly Sunday morning in mid-October. After hours of walking about the city discussing science fiction, fantasy fiction, and then some more science fiction, the members of the PSFS and NYBISA congregated at the home of Milton A. Rothman, then president of the PSFS, and conducted a somewhat orderly meeting. One definite thing was accomplished; it was decided to hold the First Eastern Science Fiction Convention the following February in New York....Ibid.
The [1937 Philadelphia] convention will probably go down in SF history as bringing about the biggest bombshell ever thrown at a group of poor unsuspecting S-F fans. For it was at this momentous gathering that Wolheim and Michel presented their now-famous speech, "MUTATION OR DEATH". This, as some of you know, was the beginning of Michelism, and caused some of the most furious arguing ever witnessed or heard at a S-F convention, or any other convention, for that matter. In a way, the Convention can be termed a failure, for it did nothing but introduce MICHELISM to science fiction---science fiction itself was discussed very little due to the extreme length of time consumed by the furious argumentation. However, some persist that this was the turning point of fandom. It is merely a matter of opinion.One year later, October, 1938, Philadelphia fans again announced that they would hold a convention--this time to be known as the Philly Science Fiction Conference. This gathering was attended by about 35 science fiction fans DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE MICHELISTS BOYCOTTED IT! ...For those who attended were unanimous in stating that it was by far the most interesting and friendliest of all conventions, bar none. Lively and interesting discussions pertaining to science fiction and science fiction organizations were held... Everyone who attended this conference left with a feeling of friendship and satisfaction, realizing that there can never be a more interesting group than when a number of fans convene.
Now we all have reached October 1939. Philadelphia has again come forth with an announcement to the affect that she will sponsor another Philly Conference. We, the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, expect this one to surpass all others.... Of primary interest will be the actual organizing of the forthcoming CHICAGO WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION to be held in 1940. And let me cast a hint and say that there will possibly be another bombshell thrown (perhaps more than one) for the Michelists have announced that they are coming en masse. What will happen when combatting factions convene in one room? Only Ghu can answer the question now. But it is obvious that something will occur, and this forthcoming conference may well be another turning point in science fiction fandom.Ibid.