Forrest J. Ackerman is one of the founders of science fiction fandom, particularly conventions and magazines, most notably the seminal magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. He coined the term ‘sci-fi,’ which entered the vocabulary for describing science fiction media. That term, like Forry himself, has garnered a different meaning for some as it denotes the worst kind of examples in the media.
Forrest Ackerman’s personal odyssey began when he was born on Nov. 24, 1916, in Los Angeles, California. Contrary to his later work in the horror genre, Ackerman’s first love was the burgeoning genre of science fiction or scientifiction, as it was originally known. Ackerman saw his first movie in 1922 and purchased his first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, in 1926. He created an exclusive boys club, simply called the Boys Scientific Club, in 1930.
Ackerman attended the University of California at Berkeley for a year and worked as a movie projectionist and at odd jobs.
“He coined the term ‘sci-fi,’ which entered the vocabulary for describing science fiction media.”
Throughout this time, Ackerman corresponded with many of the writers in these magazines, developing lifelong friendships that would serve him well later. Ackerman and his girlfriend Myrtle Douglas (or ‘Morojo’ as she became known) attended the First World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. Ackerman wore the first costume at the convention, designed and created by Douglas. This is thought to have started the ‘costume contest’ and the occupation of “cosplay” that has become a staple event.
As the “scientifiction’ term morphed into the now-used science fiction label, clubs began springing up across the county, catering to new fans. One such club that Ackerman attended was the Los Angeles Chapter of the Science Fiction League (LACSF), which had a weekly meeting at Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. The club changed its name to the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society. Ackerman invited Ray Bradbury to attend a meeting. Meetings often included a young Robert A. Heinlein, Fredric Brown, Henry Kuttner, Leigh Brackett, Jack Williamson, and future stop motion filmmaker Ray Harryhausen.
Ackerman was a member of the Science Fiction League and became so active in and important to the club that he took it over. With Ackerman at the helm, the organization became a prominent regional fan organization, as well as the National Fantasy Fan Federation. He and Morojo edited and produced their own fanzine, Imagination! Later, it was renamed Voice of the Imagi-Nation.
