Presentation Title
Collecting, Preserving, and Teaching the Science Fiction Collection at New York City College of Technology (CUNY)
Abstract
City Tech recently acquired one of the world’s largest collections of science fiction and pulp magazines. This panel will discuss the story of the acquisition and current concerns regarding housing and preserving this vast expanse of materials. It will also focus on the teaching of these periodicals in the classroom and New York City as a center of pulp publishing from the 1870s to the 1960s. Aaron Barlow will present on the story of the donation of the collection and the challenges that accompany such “gifts.” Lavelle Porter will present on the early work of science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany, and how the pulp collection will contribute to research on science fiction. Mark Noonan, Director of the “City of Print” Institute (Summer 2015), will discuss New York as a long-time center of the pulp and science fiction industry. He will provide an overview of this history and its significance focusing on Frank Leslie’s various pulp newspapers, the 100 year publishing history of Street & Smith, and “Monster on Stage Four,” a science fiction story read and discussed by participants in the “City of Print” institute. Lastly, Jason W. Ellis will present on introducing new audiences to old ideas for the benefit of two different City Tech audiences. He will first frame the historical publication context of science fiction short stories for students, and then illuminate the deep history of technological ideas for faculty fellows in the NEH-funded “Cultural History of Digital Technology” project.
Collecting, Preserving, and Teaching the Science Fiction Collection at New York City College of Technology (CUNY)
City Tech recently acquired one of the world’s largest collections of science fiction and pulp magazines. This panel will discuss the story of the acquisition and current concerns regarding housing and preserving this vast expanse of materials. It will also focus on the teaching of these periodicals in the classroom and New York City as a center of pulp publishing from the 1870s to the 1960s. Aaron Barlow will present on the story of the donation of the collection and the challenges that accompany such “gifts.” Lavelle Porter will present on the early work of science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany, and how the pulp collection will contribute to research on science fiction. Mark Noonan, Director of the “City of Print” Institute (Summer 2015), will discuss New York as a long-time center of the pulp and science fiction industry. He will provide an overview of this history and its significance focusing on Frank Leslie’s various pulp newspapers, the 100 year publishing history of Street & Smith, and “Monster on Stage Four,” a science fiction story read and discussed by participants in the “City of Print” institute. Lastly, Jason W. Ellis will present on introducing new audiences to old ideas for the benefit of two different City Tech audiences. He will first frame the historical publication context of science fiction short stories for students, and then illuminate the deep history of technological ideas for faculty fellows in the NEH-funded “Cultural History of Digital Technology” project.
