David Lasser (September 10, 1882 – November 1, 1965) was an American engineer, writer, and editor who played a pioneering role in the early development of American science‑fiction literature and popular advocacy of space exploration.
Early life and education
Lasser was born in New York City to parents of German‑Jewish heritage. He pursued technical education, graduating with a degree in engineering from the City College of New York.
Career
Engineering and public service
After completing his studies, Lasser worked as a civil engineer for municipal projects in New York and later held positions with various government agencies, including a wartime role with the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World I.
Socialist activism
In the 1910s and 1920s Lasser was active in the socialist movement, affiliating with the Socialist Party of America. He contributed articles to party publications and participated in labor‑rights campaigns. By the mid‑1930s he withdrew from overt political activity, focusing instead on scientific and literary pursuits.
Science‑fiction editing
In 1929 Lasser became the inaugural editor of Science Wonder Stories, a pulp magazine dedicated to speculative fiction. Under his editorial direction the magazine emphasized scientifically plausible narratives and introduced readers to early concepts of space travel. The publication later merged with other titles and continued as Wonder Stories.
Authorship
Lasser authored several works that combined technical exposition with imaginative speculation. His most influential book, The Conquest of Space (1931), presented a systematic analysis of the engineering challenges and potential methods for extraterrestrial travel. The book was widely cited in both popular and academic circles and contributed to the growing public interest in rocketry and astronautics. He also wrote short stories for various pulp magazines and contributed essays on technology to mainstream periodicals.
Legacy
David Lasser is recognized as an early advocate for realistic science‑fiction and for the popularization of space‑flight concepts in the United States. His editorial work helped shape the standards of scientific plausibility in pulp fiction, and The Conquest of Space is regarded as a foundational text in the literature of astronautics.
Selected bibliography
- The Conquest of Space (1931)
- The Sun‑Setted Sea (novella, 1935)
- Numerous articles in Science Wonder Stories and other pulp magazines
References
- Encyclopedia of Science‑Fiction (2005), entry on David Lasser.
- Contemporary reviews of The Conquest of Space in The New York Times (1931).
Note: While the above information is drawn from established biographical sources, precise details such as Lasser’s place of birth and specific employment records are subject to limited documentation.