The definition of science fiction, also known as sci-fi, is constantly debated. At its simplest, though, sci-fi is a type of speculative fiction—it incorporates elements that don’t exist in reality.

You might notice that such a broad definition makes fantasy a type of speculative fiction, too, and you’re right. Some bookstores put sci-fi and fantasy on the same shelves because fundamentally, both genres explore things that don’t really exist. But unlike fantasy, sci-fi often has a more academic air to it. Sci-fi doesn’t wave its hands and say that so-and-so happens through magic—sci-fi tries to provide an explanation, usually through technology.

This is not to say that sci-fi is inherently more intelligent or well thought-out than fantasy. Some fantasies have intricate languages and rules that instruct their magic systems, and some sci-fis explain superpowers through bites from radioactive spiders. This in turn has created the separation between “soft sci-fi,” which explains things with nonsensical yet forgiving technobabble, and “hard sci-fi,” which explains things with a firm adherence to existing science. Still, in general, sci-fi rises from “What if?” questions changing society. What if aliens invaded? What if AI surpassed human intelligence? What if you could travel to the past? There’s a stereotype that sci-fi doesn’t have good characters, and for good reason. Sci-fi isn’t usually about characters—it’s about ideas affecting society. Sci-fi as a genre ruminates over humanity-changing, technology-inspired innovations.

Let’s think about the history of sci-fi in literature. Because of sci-fi’s focus on society, some people argue that the genre begins with the Epic of Gilgamesh from about 2000 BCE. But there’s not much science or technology to be found in Gilgamesh, so others argue it’s closer to fantasy. The Ramayana from 400-500 BCE describes special, sci-fi-ish flying machines, but some argue that true science fiction couldn’t begin until the Scientific Revolution between the 17^th and 19^th centuries.

So what kind of sci-fi was being passed around during the Scientific Revolution? Well, in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, satirical sci-fi seemed to be the fad. Cyrano de Bergerac’s Comical History of the States and Empires of the Moon, published in 1657, satirically describes rocket-powered space-flight. Gulliver’s Travels, written by Jonathan Swift and published in 1726, does a very similar thing.

It’s not incorrect to call these works “true sci-fi,” but it’s not necessarily correct, either. Satire’s goal is to critique society, so you have to wonder: are the sci-fi elements appearing in satire asking “What if’s?” about society, or are they farcical tools outlining a societal ideal? You can see why people still debate over what sci-fi even is today.

Regardless of when the first sci-fi novel was published, there’s one work that most scholars agree had a huge impact on the genre. That work is Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and published in 1818. In the same century, we were blessed with works by Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, both of whom have been nicknamed the “Fathers of Science Fiction.” In other words, sci-fi experienced a boom in the 19^th century and has continued to enjoy popularity today.

Now we have a broad understanding of science fiction and its history. We haven’t even touched half of the words in the title yet, but I promise this information will be important later on. Next time, look forward to a quick dive into the histories of horror and dystopia in literature…