The year 1960 was marked, in science fiction, by the following events.
Births and deaths
Births Dafydd ab Hugh Fyodor Berezin Eric Brown Yuli Burkin Daína Chaviano Brenda Cooper Kelley Eskridge Neil Gaiman Charles E. Gannon Nicola Griffith Peter F. Hamilton Nalo Hopkinson Dave Hutchinson Emmanuel Jouanne (d. 2008) Steven L. Kent Ian McDonald Linda Nagata Philip Palmer Kristine Kathryn Rusch Robert J. Sawyer Roland C. Wagner (d. 2012) Don Webb Andrzej Ziemiański
Deaths Victor Rousseau Emanuel (b. 1879) John Russell Fearn (b. 1908) Nevil Shute (b. 1899) Eden Phillpotts (b. 1862) John Taine (b. 1883) (pseudonym of Eric Temple Bell)
Literary releases
Novels
Drunkard's Walk by Frederik Pohl, a professor unravels a conspiracy involving free will and predestination. Flesh by Philip José Farmer, space explorers return to a future Earth dominated by a fertility cult. The High Crusade by Poul Anderson, medieval knights capture an alien spaceship and embark on interstellar adventures. Rogue Moon by Algis Budrys, scientists explore a deadly alien artifact on the Moon, facing existential challenges. The Status Civilization by Robert Sheckley, a man navigates a dystopian society where criminals are exiled to a savage world. Storm Over Warlock by Andre Norton, a survivor on an alien planet allies with native beings against an alien threat. Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham, a biochemist discovers a lichen that slows aging, leading to societal upheaval. Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon, a man encounters a future society with unique views on gender and sexuality. Vulcan's Hammer by Philip K. Dick, an AI dictatorship faces rebellion and internal conflict.
Short stories "First Men to the Moon" (novella) by Wernher von Braun
Children's books A Mystery for Mr. Bass by Eleanor Cameron, children solve a mystery on the Mushroom Planet.
Movies
Title Director Cast Country Subgenre/Notes12 to the MoonDavid BradleyKen Clark, Michi Kobi, Tom ConwayUnited StatesThe Amazing Transparent ManEdgar G. UlmerMarguerite Chapman, Douglas Kennedy, James GriffithUnited StatesHorrorAtom Age Vampire (a.k.a. Seddok, l'erede di Satana)Anton Giulio MajanoAlberto Lupo, Susanne Loret, Sergio FantoniItalyHorrorAtomic War Bride (a.k.a. Rat)Veljko BulajićAntun Vrdoljak, Zlatko Madunić, Ljubiša JovanovićYugoslaviaDrama Romance Beyond the Time BarrierEdgar G. UlmerRobert Clarke, Darlene Tompkins, Arianne UlmerUnited StatesRomance Dinosaurus!Irvin YeaworthWard Ramsey, Paul Lukather, Kristina HansonUnited StatesAdventure Comedy Fantasy HorrorThe Human Vapor (a.k.a. Gasu ningen dai 1 gô)Ishirō HondaTatsuya Mihashi, Kaoru Yachigusa, Yoshio Tsuchiya JapanCrime ThrillerLast Woman on EarthRoger CormanBetsy Jones-Moreland, Anthony Carbone, Robert TowneUnited StatesDrama Horror Mystery RomanceThe Lost WorldIrwin AllenMichael Rennie, Jill St. John, David HedisonUnited StatesAdventure FantasyMan in the MoonBasil DeardenKenneth More, Shirley Anne Field, Michael Hordern Mistress of the World (a.k.a. Herrin der Welt) William DieterleMartha Hyer, Micheline Presle, Carlos ThompsonWest GermanyFranceItalyAdventure CrimeThe Secret of the Telegian (a.k.a. Densô ningen)Jun Fukuda Kōji Tsuruta, Akihiko Hirata, Yoshio TsuchiyaJapanHorrorThe Silent Star (a.k.a. Der schweigende Stern, First Spaceship on Venus, Planet of the Dead, Spaceship Venus Does Not Reply)Kurt MaetzigYoko Tani, Oldřich Lukeš, Ignacy MachowskiEast GermanyPolandSpace Men (a.k.a. Assignment Outer Space)Antonio MargheritiRik Van Nutter, Gabriella Farinon, David MontresorItalyThe Time MachineGeorge PalRod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette MimieuxUnited KingdomAdventure Romance Thriller Won an Academy Award for Visual Effects. Village of the DamnedWolf RillaGeorge Sanders, Barbara ShelleyUnited KingdomUnited StatesHorrorVisit to a Small PlanetNorman TaurogJerry Lewis, Joan Blackman, Earl HollimanUnited StatesComedy
Awards
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein won the Hugo Award for Best Novel.
See also 1960 in science
Notes
References