| This curiously bizarre invention is from way back in 1925. It was introduced to the world by Hugo Gernsback a member of “The American Physical Society,” and one of the pioneers of science fiction. It was featured in that July issue of Science and Invention magazine, and involved something akin to a large bulbous diving helmet with an oxygen tank. It was supposed to encourage users to be able to focus and concentrate by rendering the wearer deaf, piping them full of oxygen, and limiting their vision to a tiny portholes. Hugo Gernsback was an inventor, writer, editor, and magazine publisher, best known for publications including the first ever science fiction magazine. He began the modern genre of science fiction in 1926 by founding the first magazine dedicated to it, Amazing Stories. |
| Hugo Gernsback's place in science fiction is recognised each and every year with the Hugo Awards (the Hugos), named after him, that recognise the best in science fiction and fantasy writing. First awarded in 1953, they were called Science Fiction Achievement Awards until 1992. Renamed the Hugo Awards, in recognition of the great work he did to promote the genre. |  |
