title: Pulp science: education and communication in the paperback book revolution.
abstract: Paperback books on scientific topics were a hot commodity in the United States from the 1940s to 1960s providing a vehicle for science communication that transformed science education. Well-known scientists authored them, including Rachel Carson, Theodosius Dobzhansky, George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, Julian Huxley, and Margaret Mead. A short history of 'the paperback revolution' that began in the 1930s is provided before concentrating on one publishing company based in New York City, the New American Library of World Literature (NAL), which produced Signet and Mentor Books. The infrastructure that led to the production and consumption of paperback books is described and an underexplored and not-previously identified genre of educational books on scientific topics, what the author refers to as pulp science, is characterized.
authors.affiliation: American Association for the Advancement of Science, United States; John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values, University of Notre Dame, 450 Geddes Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States. Electronic address: melinda.gormley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gormley