18th World Science Fiction Convention

18th Worldcon (1960)

Pittcon, the 18th World Science Fiction Convention
Genre	Science fiction
Dates	3–5 September 1960
Venue	Penn-Sheraton Hotel
Location(s)	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Attendance	568

The 18th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Pittcon, was held on 3–5 September 1960 at the Penn-Sheraton Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

The convention was chaired by Dirce Archer.

Participants

Attendance was 568.^[1]^[2]

Guests of Honor

^[3]

James Blish
Isaac Asimov (toastmaster)

Awards

The World Science Fiction Society administers and presents the Hugo Awards,^[4] the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. Selection of the recipients is by vote of the Worldcon members. Categories include novels and short fiction, artwork, dramatic presentations, and various professional and fandom activities.^[4]^[5]

Other awards may be presented at Worldcon at the discretion of the individual convention committee. This has often included the national SF awards of the host country, such as the Japanese Seiun Awards as part of Nippon 2007,^[6] and the Prix Aurora Awards as part of Anticipation in 2009. The Astounding Award for Best New Writer and the Sidewise Award, though not sponsored by the Worldcon, are usually presented, as well as the Chesley Awards, the Prometheus Award, and others.^[6]^[7]

1960 Hugo Awards

Best Novel: Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Best Short Fiction: "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Best Dramatic Presentation: The Twilight Zone
Best Professional Magazine: The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction edited by Robert P. Mills
Best Professional Artist: Ed Emshwiller
Best Fanzine: Cry of the Nameless by F. M. Busby, Elinor Busby, Burnett Toskey, and Wally Weber

Other awards

Special Award: Hugo Gernsback as "The Father of Magazine Science Fiction"

References

^ "1960 - Pittcon". Notes on the Long List of Worldcons. World Science Fiction Society. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
^ Lynch, Richard (1996-03-29). "Chapter Eight: Worldcons of the 1960s". Fan History of the 1960s. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
^ Monahan, Kaspar (1960-08-31). "Conclave Here To Declare War On Film BEMs; Science Fiction Fans Say 'Monster' Angle Overdone". Pittsburgh Press. p. 31. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
^ ^a ^b "Article 3: Hugo Awards". WSFS Constitution. World Science Fiction Society. 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
^ Franklin, Jon (October 30, 1977). "Star roars: this year's champs in science fiction". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. p. D5. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
^ ^a ^b "Awards". Nippon2007: 65th World Science Fiction Convention. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
^ "1960 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2011-03-07.