Hugo Gernsback

Hugo Gernsback (August 16, 1884-August 19,1967), born Hugo Gernsbacher was a magazine editor, inventor and entrepreneur. Born in Luxemburg, Gernsback emigrated to the United States in 1904. Trained in electrical engineering, Gernsback came to America hoping to market a dry cell battery he had invented. He soon found himself marketing radio equipment and electronic supplies. From publishing a catalogue for his electrical supply house, he went to publishing magazines aimed at the radio hobbyist. Gernsback began publishing scientific fiction as a means of educating his readers about science. He is credited with coining the term science fiction for the genre which had previously been known by terms such as "scientific romance".