U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 11

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, APRIL 11: FIRST SCIENCE FICTION MAGAZINE

Profile America -- Monday, April 11th.  A magazine was published this month in 1926 which strongly influenced an entirely new kind of writing, today called science fiction.  The magazine was Amazing Stories, edited by Hugo Gernsback, carrying imaginative stories appealing to readers fascinated with flying, radio, and all things electrical.  In its nearly 80 years, Amazing Stories launched the careers of many famous science fiction authors, and spawned many similar magazines.  Now, the most prestigious award for science fiction is called the Hugo, in honor of editor Gernsback.  Science fiction titles are among the nearly $43 of magazines Americans buy on average each year, and spend 126 hours reading.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Kane's Famous First Facts, 4732

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1130

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau