Inventors

 

Jules Verne combined semi-documentary with extrapolative fiction. He summarized the history of aviation, then extrapolated. He disapproved of Wells' Cavorite as mere invention. He would probably have approved of a hyperdrive that had some theoretical basis.

A nineteenth century sf figure was the Inventor, a lone scientist who singlehandedly created a technology. If his invention was a spaceship, then he could also be the First Man on the Moon. Twentieth century science was a collective endeavor so Inventors became less frequent in sf.

We will consider:

Shelley

Wells

Verne

Heinlein

Lewis

Blish

Anderson

At least we will when I can get back on the computer!