Richard Shaver and Ray Palmer, pictured here, sparked the evolution of pulp magazines from fantastic fiction into "True Reports of the Strange and Unknown," the famous tagline of FATE Magazine.
Shaver wrote numerous tales, presented as fiction, based on his reported discovery of an ancient subterranean civilization. Palmer, who published many of these stories while editor of "Amazing Stories," would popularize the notion that what he called the "Shaver Mystery" was partly true. It is generally accepted that Shaver really did believe he had gained exclusive insights into a hidden world. The incredible nature of his stories has caused many readers to question his sanity. Whatever the case, Ray Palmer recognized a good story and the blurred line between fantasy and reality, demonstrated by the Shaver case, inspired him to launch FATE.
Vance Pollock
