A Brief History of Space Travel In Science Fiction

[@robertfelton8374]

"This video would be hours long". I'm betting you won't get any objections.

[@dylanpathak7051]

I agree give us this please

[@SatyreIkon]

I'd greatly enjoy a long-form vid on space travel, no matter how long it takes. 👍

[@jamesaitchison9478]

I'd definitely spend a night in watching that video 👍

[@davidkelley5382]

No doubt

[@silverloto6773]

I agree too, please take as many hours as you seem necessary.

[@johntaylor7029]

It is cool to see how humanity has always dreamed of travelling beyond earth. Also neat to see that people have started living that dream.

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

Since we are all made of stardust, does it not make sense that we yearn for the stars?

[@johntaylor7029]

@@DavidBaronStevensPersonal It sure does, it's kind of poetic in a way.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

we only need the right resources which doesn't look like a possibility.

[@sartanko]

@@DavidBaronStevensPersonal We do have our own beautiful star though.

[@spectre111]

I think it has more to do with the idea of traveling to new places and how writers use that as a way to examine the society they live in. The Tempest is Shakespeare's answer to *Star Trek* as he uses some of the same methods that Roddenberry used and for what seems to be much the same goals.

[@houselemuellan8756]

Lucien's worldbuilding are concerningly accurate for his time...

[@Sidragrosm]

You're one in a billion, Quinn - don't you dare let the algorithm get the best of you!

[@blabo6427]

In Arthur C Clarke's book (and Mike Oldfield's album) Songs of the Distant Earth comes out a very interesting concept of interstellar travel. Seeder ships, robotic ships that travel for millennia to a habitable planet and there with local materials recreate human embryos that are raised by machines until a viable population number is developed.

[@scottabc72]

This is still the most realistic concept of 'settling' other star systems, Clarke was a true visionary

[@luisar5755]

There is already a concept of an engine that could move a ship to %10-%30 the speed of light over time.. A generational ship would be needed to reach a habitable planet..

[@joseantoniozarzosa7805]

So far, this seems to be the most feasible colonization method with our present level of knowledge. Nevertheless, it's still a huge challange, for our AI, astronautical, medical and engeenering capabilities. On the CONs, there will always be the fear/hope of a new technological breakthrouh that would render such effort a futile enterprise. Thus, many would prefer to wait, on an almost eternal loop, for such an optimal method instead.

[@erenjaeger9418]

@Luis AR most of the time? Sure, but the closest potentially habitable earth-like planet is only 4.2 light-years from here. At even just 10% lightspeed thats just 42 years. At 20% that's 21. Visiting that world at those speeds in a single generation is viable

[@roggonval]

@@erenjaeger9418 unfortunately we don't have that kind of technology and even then the fuel is the most problem

[@fredbloggs5902]

‘The Forever War’ by Haldeman, arguably builds on Heinlein’s Starship Troopers and adds recognition of the effects of relativity.

[@Langkowski]

I have the book, but have not read it yet. I did read Old Man's War (and hated it).

[@zarquondam]

Huh, my comment about Heinlein's reaction to "The Forever War" has disappeared. Well, I can't be bothered typing the whole thing again. Wtf, though.

[@Langkowski]

@@zarquondam The part where he was nervous meeting him because his political views were the opposite of what we see in Starship Troopers, but it turned out that Heinlein enjoyed it? Strange.

[@Agarwaen]

In many ways not just build on it, but being a mirror to it from a less fascist pov. And ye, you can enjoy starship troopers still even without agreeing with the message it's not so subtly is trying to get across. There's some rather cringyworthy ideas about homosexuality in the forever war though, though more from a "ok.. seriously?" sideways glance.

[@zarquondam]

@@Langkowski That was the one, yes.

[@quiett6191]

I read an interesting "science fiction" book by a Cyrano Bergerac, titled Other Worlds, published in 1650. It had 2 stories, "The States and Empires of the Moon" and "The States and Empires of the Sun". Apparently he got to the moon by rubbing himself all over with bone marrow, thus allowing the moon to draw him to it. A belief of the day held that the bones of small animals had little marrow during the full moon because the moon was sucking it out of em.

[@zarquondam]

Cyrano's books were heavily influenced by Lucian's. Several of the methods he considers of getting to the moon were referenced in Edmond Rostand's play about Cyrano, in the form of a story he tells to distract an opponent.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@zarquondam Is either book the one Mannheim Steamroller used as inspiration for an album?

[@skepticalmagos_101]

One day we will travel to the stars by taking a "short cut" through Hell !

[@Neoentrophy]

The demons just want to hug you. To death. For eternity

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

Who's to say we are not already in that place in history??? 😮

[@Marklord13]

Ralph Wiggum: Everybody is hugging.

[@AndresPluss]

The gateway its open, and now you are all coming with me!!!

[@skepticalmagos_101]

@@AndresPluss "Do you see??" .......😂

[@zarquondam]

6:11 - As a kid I read the children's version of Micromegas that had those illustrations! I probably picked the book up because the cape made me think of Superman. The main thing I remember from the story is Micromegas's bafflement at the little antlike creatures of Earth fighting over religions and territorial boundaries.

[@christopherrouse6355]

Strong Carl Sagan vibes by the end. You the man Quinn, keep it up

[@sorryforwhat1528]

As a person who always loves to know how things work in sci fi, thanks for making this loved it quinn

[@spookyu]

Speaking of Heinlein and his depiction of space travel, To The Stars is HIGHLY underrated in that regard.

[@MLdoktor]

I really like the book Time for the stars

[@TigerlilyWarrior]

I like both Quinn's short and long format videos. The quality continues to get better over the years. Can't wait for the next one.

[@LordMuffinToken]

most sci fi: ftl travel is a technological marvel. wow. so cool warhammer: hell goes brrrrr

[@migovas1483]

Dude, so good to see some people young like you Dig the classics and understand these old Sci-fi stuff... keep up the good work.

[@docsloan6308]

Lucian's A True History is a critique of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Herodotus' Historia. These books are not 'travelogues.' The idea was that Lucian believed these books were taken as historical when he thought they shouldn't be. Time has proven Lucian wrong. Enjoying the videos, keep up the good work!

[@sststr]

You can take it one step back further from Jules Verne, to Edgar Allan Poe: "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall", written in 1835, which Verne acknowledged as an influence on his own work. (If you prefer it in audio format, I did a reading of Poe's story on my own channel.)

[@Langkowski]

Regarding the "sequel" to War of the Worlds, where Edison (a crook in my opinion) goes to Mars. Rumor has it that the time traveler in The Time Machine was actually based on Edison.

[@sagan1976]

7:55 Wow, Colecção Argonauta! I've read so many books from that collection.

[@olabassey3142]

this channel is a gem

[@coryskipper909]

Can I just say I really appreciate your deep dives into sci-fi but also the concepts in sci-fi. Doing a great job 👍

[@neoncyber2001]

Another great video! Your writing narration and research make your videos some of my most anticipated!

[@JamezDahlMusic]

Professor Quinn back at it again! ❤️

[@jamaaljohnson3937]

Great production, Quinn. Nicely done.

[@Burner-B]

4:46 I was so hoping that sentence ended with "to paaaahaaaaaarteyyyyy"

[@matthewfrancisco9406]

Loving this one. All your videos are great, but this one really was something different and super solid.

[@cristiangerardinobilityhou5410]

Aelita - Queen of Mars (1924). Fantastic presentation.

[@chrisparadise2983]

Great video Quinn! Keep up the good work.

[@albizu75]

Great video! I have been a fan of your channel for a long time but I love the broad scope of this video and all in less than 11 minutes!

[@NoctLightCloud]

well done! Your voice is soothing and your intonation and reading style makes it very easy to listen to this while editing some photos. You should start a podcast or consider a VA career.

[@WorkingManReads]

I learned alot from this one, I have recently found military Sci-Fi. I have really been enjoying this sub genre of science fiction, so it's cool to know StarShip Troopers helped inspire the stories of today.

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Tried any Warhammer 40k? Gaunt’s Ghosts is great. Or the Eisenhorn books

[@no2party]

Some suggestions: Honor Harrington, Kris Longknife, the Hexarchy trilogy by Yoon Ha Lee, The Paradox Trilogy by Rachel Bach

[@LuciFeric137]

David Drake

[@no2party]

@@LuciFeric137 RCN series! Nice one!

[@sturkster]

My favourite military SF are the books by Jerry Pournelle.

[@NapoleChan]

You got your visuals incorrect, that wasn't a movie at the beginning. It was the music video for Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight, Tonight" lol

[@Ronhithcox]

Well done, sir! New to this channel, and I see we are going to love it!

[@naotatempest7552]

it's a shame that the german sci fi novel series Perry Rhodan, which has been around since 1961 until today, is so unknown outside of the german speaking area

[@joeciok]

Love you’re vids. You’re smart and your content is well done. I listen to your stuff while I’m awake but it’s also great to fall asleep to. Keep up the good work.

[@Nuadaist]

I think you missed the best space travel method: in his book États et Empire de la Lune (1657), Cyrano de Bergerac (the real one) explains he managed to fly to the moon by... attaching bottles of wine around his belt. Wine elevating the mind, more wine elevated the body. Obviously. Otherwise, a very interesting video. I just discovered your channel, and I have to say I really enjoy it!

[@samm552]

Awesome Vid Quinn.

[@MadAsKiwi]

It may have been covered, but a good followup may be types of space travel/propulsion in science fiction. Cool vid. Keep it up!!

[@bdmartinjr.1715]

Quinn, please continue to provide the world with information.

[@kobybarnes3035]

I really love these types of videos.

[@AndrewRock]

I like your optimism. I had that once.

[@AngelRodriguez-qg5zq]

Lots of new information to let your imagination run wild with this video Thanks!! 🙏

[@briancohen-doherty4392]

Love Quinn's Ideas!

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

I've been a fan since your origin of Dragons and Grand Theory on ASOIAF. You and Grey and LML were the score to my travels in the eastern hemisphere You possess exceptional story telling skills and a mastery of the dark that would make Pandora chuckle. I'm happy to see you applying these skills toward more and bigger ideas There is more that binds us than seperates us

[@kathleenhensley5951]

Again, well done!

[@DeadpoolAli]

These are great can we get more of this series history of science fiction. History of aliens (dorky 50s stuff to Arrival)? Hard science fiction evolution?

[@Klikoderat]

I liked, I subscribed, I can not wait for your Chapterhouse video.

[@AWFarmer]

I'm going to watch this several times. I may want to read a few of those stories!

[@berthaduniverse]

Great idea and execution... Thanks Mr.

[@Mandolatron]

Love your stuff!

[@Etticos.]

This will be a tasty Monday morning treat.

[@thenetspawn]

Algorithm shmalgorithm! Keep doing what you're doing Quinn.

[@kdemographic8109]

Awesome overview! Thank you for this.

[@mikenapier3598]

I remeber reading star ship troopers as a kid(in the 90s). Then the mediocre movie which did not tell the real story. Great stuff scifi man! I liked and subscribed!

[@jacobneil135]

Yeah the movie may have butchered the meaning of the book, but if you look at it as a parody of unbridled nationalism and militarism it's actually kinda genius. I don't think it deserves to be totally written off. A lot of it has a strong satirical feel, and when viewed through that lense it really works. Just my opinion.

[@MKBCelestial]

The movie is so much better than the book, no comparison.

[@Agarwaen]

@@MKBCelestial the books is far deeper.... however the movie is a better depiction of how you should treat blatant fascism.

[@OntologicalQuandry]

"We could go into depth deconstructing the short and highly influential French film 'Trip to the Moon'..." I think I'd prefer it if you limited yourself to an in-depth analysis. There's far too much emphasis put on 'deconstruction' these days; it's not good for what is being deconstructed as the people doing it seldom know how to put it all back together when they've finished.

[@StevenErnest]

An in-depth analysis is deconstruction done right.

[@OntologicalQuandry]

@@StevenErnest We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. Analysis is essentially neutral to constructive. Deconstruction, by its very definition, is destructive.

[@StevenErnest]

@@OntologicalQuandry "Deconstruction, by its very definition, is destructive." No, you obviously don't understand the concept and purpose of deconstruction.

[@mattg8116]

As a fan of you and your content, I must point out that Joe Rogan is not a moon landing denier and I was a little off put by the assumption that he or his fans would be

[@RobertDemery]

Those last two minutes is exactly the core of my entire belief system.

[@doperider85]

I love the intro music

[@johnknych833]

Excellent and well-researched video, never knew Volty wrote Sci-Fi!

[@hotrodhunk7389]

Great video 👍👌👍

[@nobbynoris]

This was a very well-researched video. You're an erudite bloke, Quinn.

[@klasky123]

Fabulous video!

[@zarquondam]

If you mention three of the four Golden Age greats (Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke), I would also mention the fourth, Ray Bradbury, who captured the imagination of more than one generation with books like R IS FOR ROCKET, S IS FOR SPACE, and THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. His short story “The Million-Year Picnic” is a brilliant spin on what it means to be a “Martian.” Among other early authors, I would mention the planetary romances of Edgar Rice Burroughs. In his Martian stories (the first of which appeared in 1912), interplanetary travel is accomplished by something like astral projection; but more technological methods of interplanetary travel occur in his later Venus and Moon stories. In PIRATES OF VENUS (1932), the protagonist intends to travel to Mars by rocket, but neglects to calculate the gravitational influence of the moon correctly, and so is thrown off course and ends up landing on Venus instead. In THE MOON MAID (1922-28), interplanetary travel is instead accomplished by rather mysterious “rays” emanated by each planet that help ships escape the gravity of their own planet and travel toward the planet in question - though once again something goes wrong and an expedition headed toward Mars ends up diverted to Earth’s moon. In BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR (1940), eleven planets occupy the same orbit around their sun, and are so close to each other that they share a common atmosphere and it is possible to fly from one to another via airplane. (Burroughs actually wrote to an astrophysicist to inquire whether this was possible. The astrophysicist of course responded, essentially, “ha ha, no.” To which Burroughs’ reaction was “oh well” and he proceeded with his story.)

[@Langkowski]

The "forgotten one" in my eyes is usually A.E. van Vogt

[@zarquondam]

@@Langkowski Null-A van Vogt!

[@generalnawaki]

by Entropy's embrace! Asimov's chops are the things of LEGEND!

[@sturkster]

The mention of the Ramayana reminds me of 'Lord of Light' by Roger Zelazny. Well worth reading I think.

[@thesinfultictac5704]

Being a little pedantic here but E.E. "Doc" Smith beats out Heinlein when it comes to "space military", with his Lensman series, it even includes "Space armor" I will say Heinlein was a better Word smith than Doc.

[@Langkowski]

Heinlein was as you may know a personal friend and great admirer of Smith

[@thesinfultictac5704]

@@Langkowski I did not know that! Thanks for the little history.

[@Langkowski]

​@@thesinfultictac5704 You welcome. A couple of examples. When Smith dedicated the Gnome hardcover publication of The Vortex Blaster to him, Heinlein wrote in return: "Doc, there is no easy way for me to tell you how honored and moved I feel at the printed dedication and your inscription. Perhaps it would be better for me to acknowledge in writing what I have told you orally years ago: the enormous extent of my literary indebtedness to you. I have learned from many writers-from Verne and Wells and Campbell and Sinclair Lewis, et al.-but I have learned more from you than from any of the others and perhaps more than for all the others put together.... For the past twenty years I've been trying to emulate you and any really astute literary detective could trace down hundreds of things in my stories which derive from your ideas, style, moral standards, et endless cetera. Plagiarize you I never did, at least not consciously; learn from you I always have, in every paragraph, and I am proud to acknowledge the debt." Heinlein also told how Smith helped him buy a new car: Larger Than Life: A Memoir in Tribute to Dr. Edward E. Smith August 1940 - aback road near Jackson, Michigan - a 1939 Chevrolet sedan: "Doc" Smith is at the wheel; I am in the right-hand seat and trying hard to appear cool, calm, fearless - a credit to the Patrol. Doc has the accelerator floor boarded ... but has his head tilted over at ninety degrees so that he can rest his skull against the frame of the open left window - in order to listen by bone conduction for body squeaks. Were you to attempt this position yourself - car parked and brakes set, by all means; I am not suggesting that you drive - you would find that your view of the road ahead is between negligible and zero. I must note that Doc was not wearing his Lens. This leaves (by Occam's Razor) his sense of perception, his almost superhuman reflexes, and his ability to integrate instantly all available data and act there from decisively and correctly. Sounds a lot like the Gray Lensman, does it not? It should, as no one more nearly resembled (in character and in ability - not necessarily in appearance) the Gray Lensman than did the good gray doctor who created him. Doc could do almost anything and do it quickly and well. In this case he was selecting and road - testing for me a secondhand car. After rejecting numberless other cars, he approved this one; I bought it. Note the date: August 1940. We entered World War Two the following year and quit making automobiles. I drove that car for twelve years. When I finally did replace it, the mechanic who took care of it asked to be permitted to buy it rather than have it be turned in on a trade... because, after more than thirteen years and hundreds of thousands of miles, it was still a good car. Doc Smith had not missed anything. Its name? Skylark Five, of course.

[@scottstallings3543]

You have a wonderful voice for this...

[@dw9192]

I love this stuff ❤️

[@mattsz7313]

I'm just commenting to support the channel

[@Jord73]

Quality content here 👍🏼

[@Renlee1337]

Thank you Quinn. You complete me.

[@alexiachimciuc3199]

My favorite space journey is that of Phssthpok from Larry Niven novela Protector.

[@fredbloggs5902]

02:57 Clarke didn’t only invent the communications satellite, he invented the geostationary communications satellite which was much more useful.

[@edwardmartin5860]

Amazing how we bring our imagination to reality. THNX QUINN

[@infini1970]

I was hoping for more details like on Hyperion and some other books. I mean just for discussion purposes I think it would have expended this a bit. I love the older historic references though! Very cool.

[@countbalerionofhousetatter2624]

dante has interplanetary travel of a sort in the PARADISO. there was also a chap in the 17th century -- athanasius kirchner, if memory serves -- and c.s. lewis's space trilogy.

[@noirangel6416]

*QUINN! Please play a game called "Last Oasis".* It is an open world online survival game set in the deserts of Earth of the far future. It is the closest Dune has gotten to a Fremen style game, with a few refferences sprinkled in. From Stillsuits to Ornithopters, to Shai Hulud!

[@weirdkitty07]

EE Doc Smith, of which one short story you mentioned, was also famous. Lensman creator, before Gibson and Cyberpunk.

[@renevanderbij7796]

Great video! I'm curious to know where you got the images of Lucian's book from, because it's a Dutch translation from the 16th or 17th century. I never knew this translation existed and I'd like to read it (I am Dutch), even though the language is a bit old-fashioned. (I know some Latin too, but not enough to read the original)

[@jonmichaelgalindo]

The insect-like Celenites are pulled straight from H.G. Well's book of two men going to the moon (in an anti-grav sphere), which was inspired by Poe's moon-travel story (in a balloon).

[@Steel_Wrath]

Just keyed into your content, great work man! I never cared about Dune because some of the people that recommended to to me stunk on ice. but seems really cool so far. Thanks for introducing me to it.

[@notlessgrossman163]

Piers Anthony's Cluster Series, is very intriguing in its method of space travel: by projection of one's life essence into the body of aliens lightyears away. And vice versa thus explaining the incidents of possession throughout history.

[@jiminfested]

I finally listened to the two foundation books thanks to you. I heard that he only wrote two books, it’s a shame that I have to imagine how the story turned out and he definitely didn’t continue the story.

[@paganphil100]

jiminfested: If you're talking about Asimov's "Foundation" series there are 7 books in total (2 prequels, the original trilogy and 2 sequels).

[@jiminfested]

@@paganphil100 Thanks, I was partially joking, I'm not as fan of the summary of where the story then goes with an all seeing AI merging with the human hive mind. I much preferred the conflict of empire, random warlords first and second foundation. So I'll just stop my Foundation experience with Foundation and second Foundation and imagine where the story was supposed to go rather than follow up where it actually went and be disappointed.

[@Langkowski]

There are travels to other worlds in the solar system, and later we have interstellar travels. But Edwin Hubble did not publish his findings that there were other galaxies outside the Milky way before late 1924 and early 1925, so writings of intergalactic travels probably didn't exist before then. I think Doc Smith and Edmond Hamilton were the first ones to write about intergalactic travels. And in the old days, astral journeys to reach other planets was a popular device, but was gradually left behind.

[@ThePurpleBookWyrm]

This was very interesting Quinn! Had never heard of this Roman author, that was so neat. 🙂 I wonder if you've ever read any of Adrian Tchaikovsky's work, especially Children of Time? I feel like you'd really enjoy that one if you haven't gotten to it yet. 😉

[@gifzilla1818]

I always preferred the Stanley Kubrick version of Trip to the Moon

[@ginebravrvr]

i really like your content

[@teenvogue1starmoreddivisio955]

Hey Quinn, I have enjoyed your channel for years. Since you have covered the lore and world building in both fantasy and science fiction, have you ever considered covering the lore from Vampire Hunter D? The light novels describe a more complex world than you would first expect. There is a fandom wiki that can give you a general idea of it.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Great video

[@casey9439]

I hope you get around to reading The Expanse... I know you've got on your plate, though, and it's a way smarter move to podcast about upcoming franchises than a soon-ending book series.

[@jamessmith7205]

Very entertaining 👏

[@lepmuhangpa]

George Mels. I'm gonna die of laughter. 0:42

[@jlworrad]

Wonderful video.

[@feygor]

one of the things I love about Sci-fi is it's optimism

[@moustachio05]

1984 is optimistic?

[@feygor]

If you are part of the ruling elite, then yes, it is. It all depends on perspective.

[@NathanOkun]

The 4 books of the post-WWII version of THE SKYLARK OF SPACE novel series are very good "space opera" -- in fact, the main villain, Dr. "Blackie" Duquesne, is one of the best villains of any book, period. He is absolutely rational and, at times, will call up the hero to ask if they could combine resources to fight something so bad that it threatens everybody (like Darth Vader calling up Yoda to form a truce to fight something worse than Vader is). Not your regular hero vs. villain books! Even has references to black holes way before they became a "thing" in sci-fi.

[@granudisimo]

2:14 He set trends? lol he invented power freaking armor, and everybody who has read the book either before, or after watching the movie, will always giggle at the words "mechanized infantry".

[@Matatabi6]

I’ve never seen you mention the vorkosigan saga in any of your videos you’re a knowledgeable man when it comes to sci fi so I know I can’t be introducing them to you but great books great books, tied for most best novel Hugo’s with Heinlein the author is, if you don’t count retroactive awards

[@shanethewatcher6163]

Quinn, are you familiar with Arthur C Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama and its sequel trilogy by Gentry Lee?

[@blacksuite1]

I didn't know that book had sequels.

[@shanethewatcher6163]

@@blacksuite1 yea by Gentry Lee with input from Clarke. I personally find Lee to be much better at making the characters feel real. Clarke was more of a master at concepts. The two marry beautifully in Rama 2, Garden of Rama and Rama Revealed. Satisfying from beginning to end

[@blabo6427]

The sequels have interesting scy fy concepts but beyond stupid plots and characters.

[@shanethewatcher6163]

@@blabo6427 the characters shine the hardest, but to each his own

[@paulfelix5849]

Good to see see at least a mention of Doc Smith - so underappreciated. But only Skylark of Space is mentioned. How about a vid on Doc, his 4 Skylark nobels, and the Lensman series which were so filled with foresight that the US navy adopted some of his idea for real world use? Would watch.

[@mgntstr]

Powerful video! duude Powerful