10th World Science Fiction Convention

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The Tenth World Science Fiction Convention was held on Labor Day weekend in August 1952 at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Unlike most worldcons before or since, it did not have a specific title other than the World Convention (of other Worldcons, only the 11th, in Philadelphia in 1953, shared this lack of name), although it was informally known by its acronym, TASFiC or as Chicon II (the eleventh convention is similarly occasionally referred to as Philcon II).

The convention chair was Julian C. May (later also known as Judy Dikty). Hugo Gernsback was official guest of honor. The program included the performance of an original ballet.

The convention for many years held the record for the largest attendance at a science fiction convention, with 870 registered attendees, a figure which was not surpassed for a Worldcon until Nycon 3 in New York in 1967. By way of comparison, the previous year's Worldcon had an attendance of 170.

It was at this convention that the idea for the Hugo science fiction awards was first proposed. These awards, the highest honour in science fiction circles, were first awarded at the 1953 Worldcon in Philadelphia.

The convention was also the place where Sturgeon's Law was first formulated. During a panel discussion on science fiction one of the panelists observed that 90% of science fiction was shit. Theodore Sturgeon, also on the panel responded by saying that 90% of everything was shit.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• Worldcon
• World Science Fiction Society

[edit] References

Ash, B. (ed). (1977). The Visual Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. London: Pan Books.

Preceded by 9th World Science Fiction Convention Nolacon I in New Orleans, USA (1951)

List of Worldcons 10th World Science Fiction Convention TASFiC in Chicago, USA (1952)

Succeeded by 11th World Science Fiction Convention Philcon II in Philadelphia, USA (1953)