Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (1917-2008) was born in Somerset, England. From an early age, he showed an interest in science fiction, which he attributed to serial magazines like the American publication Amazing Stories and the works of authors like Olaf Stapledon and David Lasser. During his teenage years, Clarke became a member of the United Kingdom’s Junior Astronomical Association and wrote for the society’s journal, Urania. Clarke’s expertise in space travel made him a frequent writer on the topic, allowing him to debate the pros and cons of space exploration.

During World War II, Clarke contributed to developing radar technologies that bolstered British airborne defense systems. He solidified his knowledge of aeronautics through a formal study of mathematics and physics at King’s College London, after which he worked as an academic. In the years after the war, he served twice as the president of the British Interplanetary Society. His theories drove progress on orbital telecommunications and inspired public support for interplanetary space flight. All the while, Clarke built his reputation as a science fiction writer; his early works include the 1948 novella Against the Fall of Night, the 1951 short story “If I Forget Thee, O Earth,” the 1953 novel

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