The origins of cosplay at science fiction conventions are usually traced to fan costuming at early Worldcons, especially Forrest J Ackerman and Morojo’s futuristicostumes at the 1939 Worldcon.
Table of Contents
| Quick fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Early landmark | 1939 Worldcon costuming |
| Key figures | Forrest J Ackerman and Morojo |
| Follow-up | Official masquerade at Chicon I in 1940 |
| Later term | Cosplay became common later, especially through Japanese and global fan culture |
Before the Word Cosplay
Early fans did not use the modern word cosplay. They spoke of costumes, costume parties, masquerades, and futuristicostumes.
Why Worldcon Matters
Worldcon gave fan costuming a public stage and recurring tradition. That made costuming part of convention culture long before modern cosplay became a global term.
From SF Costuming to Global Cosplay
Later media fandom, anime fandom, Comic-Con culture, and online communities expanded costuming into the global cosplay culture recognized today.
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