Amazing Stories Magazine Celebrates 100 Years of Science Fiction

The April 1926 issue of Amazing Stories, the first magazine devoted exclusively to science fiction, hit newsstands in March 1926. Publisher Hugo Gernsback coined the term 'scientifiction' to describe its contents, blending romance with scientific fact and prophetic vision. The cover art by Frank R. Paul illustrated Jules Verne's 'Off On a Comet.' Gernsback's innovation of collecting speculative literature in one place proved enduring, spawning fan culture and the Hugo Awards, named after him. The magazine's letters column fostered a community that led to science fiction fandom. Gernsback lost control in a 1929 bankruptcy but launched Science Wonder Stories. Rival magazines like Astounding Stories emerged, leading to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Today, Amazing Stories operates as a website and plans to relaunch as a quarterly digital publication in 2026. The centennial will be celebrated at RavenCon in Richmond, Virginia.