Modern science fiction, among the insiders in the field, is a phrase that refers to a readily identifiable change in the format of the science fiction story, which was begun in 1938 and was readily apparent by the middle of 1939. The revolutionary was John W. Campbell, who not ony forcibly moved this branch of fiction in the direction in which he wanted it to go but under the name of Don A. Stuart had previously written prototypes of the kind of stories he had in mind.
Doorway into Time and Other Stories from Modern Masterpieces of Science Fiction ~ edited by Sam Maskowitz, 1965, science fiction, 144 pages
Look into the future .. a wonderful, terrifying world in which all wishes are granted, all of man's (sic) work is done for him. Machines can solve any problem, even the psychological ones of fear, ambition and frustrated love. Look into the future ... and learn that one problem solved brings on a thousand new dilemmas man (sic) never faced before. Look into the future ... if you dare.
(That's from the back cover, published when "men" were apparently the only humans around. Okay, you know I'm being facetious, but I was around at that time and had three children. Look closely at the top right of the cover photo, above, and see that this book is so old it cost only 50 cents!)
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