PSFS began in October 1935, as a merger between the 11th chapter of the Science Fiction League and the Boy’s Science Fiction Club. Its new name may have been inspired by a joke. With a massive illuminated sign already advertising “PSFS” atop the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society’s landmark high-rise, founder John Baltadonis suggested that the science fiction group could then claim the building was its clubhouse.
In 1936, PSFS mounted Philcon, the Philadelphia Convention of Science Fiction, making Philcon the oldest continuously running fan-run science fiction Con. More on Philcon here, or go to the Philcon website for the latest news on this year’s Philcon.
PSFS has always been a place for serious fans and creators to come together and share ideas. Members have included such noted authors and editors as L. Sprague de Camp, Tom Purdom, Darrell Schweitzer, Michael Swanwick, and Gardner Dozois. PSFS members have been involved not only in organizing Philcon, but in other Cons including Worldcon, where the annual Hugo Awards are given out. PSFS organized and hosted the 59th Worldcon, known as Millennium Philcon, in Philadelphia in 2001.