Geek History

Geek Culture has emerged in recent years as a genuine culture, and has even developed its own beliefs, myths, and traditions. Geek Culture also has a history that has inevitably shaped it, from the introduction of science fiction pulp magazines in the 1930s to comic books in the 1940s, the premiers of Star Trek and Star Wars to the evolution of fan conventions. And just like with any culture, understanding the history of Geek Culture offers a better understanding of the diverse communities that encompass it.

1960 World Science Fiction Convention

The 18th Worldcon, also known as Pittcon, was held in Pittsburgh during September 1960, featuring some of the greatest authors of the sci-fi medium and the debut of multiple fan clubs.

1962 Seattle World’s Fair

The summer-long event started as a commemoration of the 1909 A-Y-P Exhibition before evolving into a celebration of science and the future that transformed the city’s landscape.

1964 New York Comicon

The first comic book convention featured the one-and-only con appearance by legendary artist Steve Ditko and set the stage for similar events across the country, including in San Diego.

Birth of Superman

Cleveland residents Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the first comic book superhero, using nothing more than their vivid imagination and various influences from 1930s popular culture.

Birth of the Living Dead

The 2013 documentary examines the classic Pittsburgh zombie film Night of the Living Dead and contains many anecdotes from director George A. Romero regarding the production.

Bjo Trimble and the Good Ship Enterprise

The legendary Star Trek fan and her husband John played a significant role in the early days of the sci-fi franchise, including the organization of a “Save Star Trek” campaign during the 1960s.

Dippy, the World’s Most Famous Dinosaur

Although a life-size statue and the original fossils of the dinosaur reside in Pittsburgh, skeletal replicas of the famed Diplodocus carnegii can also be found in museums around the world.

The Early Days of Buffy Fandom

In her book Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby?, Allyson Beatrice offers insights into the early years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom and the community that formed online.

Grover Krantz: In Search of Bigfoot

The Washington State University anthropologist was a firm believer in Bigfoot and devoted his life to scientifically proving the creature’s existence despite derision from his fellow academics.

Harry: A History of Pottermania

Melissa Anelli of the Leaky Cauldron had a front-row seat during the formation of Harry Potter fandom in the early 2000s and tells the story of its evolution in her book Harry, A History.

Jackie Ormes and African American Comic Strips

The first African American female cartoonist was born in the Steel City and created two successful comic strips, Patty-Jo ’n’ Ginger and Torchy in Heartbeats, for the Pittsburgh Courier.

Jeffrey Veregge: Of Gods and Heroes

The S’Klallam Tribe artist has found success as a comic book illustrator, and even has a large mural featuring Marvel superheroes on display at the Native American Museum in New York.

Kenneth Arnold and the First Flying Saucer

Kenneth Arnold reported the first documented UFO sighting on June 24, 1947, while traveling past Mount Rainier near Seattle, giving rise to the phrase “flying saucers” in the process.

The Legends of Glastonbury

King Arthur and Joseph of Arimathea have direct ties to the small English town of Glastonbury, which is thought to be the Isle of Avalon and the final resting place of Arthur and the Holy Grail.

Magic: The Gathering

The popular trading card game began as a tale of two cities on opposite ends of the country, with Richard Garfield designing the game in Philadelphia and a Seattle-based company producing it.

Matt Baker: A Golden Age Legend

One of the first African American comic book artists to find success in the medium was raised in Pittsburgh and made his mark during the 1940s and 50s while working at Iger Studios and St. John Publishing.

Nellie Bly’s Race Around the World

In 1889, the Pittsburgh-bred female journalist embarked on a solo journey around the world to break the fictional record set by Jules Verne’s Phileas Fogg in Around the World in Eighty Days.

The Rise of Science Fiction Rock and Roll

The late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed the emergence of science fiction rock music, a hybrid that combined the two mediums and genres into a form of literature and musical entertainment.

The Robots of Westinghouse

The Pittsburgh-based company was at the forefront of robotic design and creation during the first half of the twentieth century, beginning with Herbert Televox and including Elektro the Moto-Man.

Secret History of Wonder Woman

In her 2014 biography, historian Jill Lepore chronicles the life of psychiatrist William Moulton Marston, and how his beliefs and experiences influenced the creation of Wonder Woman.