L. Frank Baum, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, 1900 was a “soft” science-fiction for the young readers. The protagonist is Dorothy, a girl that lives with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, on a Kansas farm. “Soft” science-fiction because of Neurology (soft science, like Psychology) gives a plotted-storyline. Dorothy is in a “tornado” and bumps her head. The story now “changes” direction, Dorothy and her dog Toto are thrown by the tornado to Munchkin Country of the Land of Oz. The flight to the Land of Oz sends Dorothy’s house intact to Oz along with dog Toto. In the Land of Oz, we have the travelogue of “dream-like” characters: a Tin-man, a Scarecrow, and a Cowardly Lion. Dorothy’s dreamy travelogue includes witches (the Wicked Witch of the West, flies on broom-sticks), and trip down the Yellow Brick Road to visit a Wizard. Dorothy’s travels to the Wizard of Oz is to find out how to return home to Kansas. While, the Wizard of Oz is no help to Dorothy; the Good Witch tells Dorothy just make a “wish” on your “Silver Slipper’s” to get back home. Finally, Dorothy is back home in Kansas in bed with a bump on her head. Dorothy is being cared for by Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, with the dream-story now over. L. Frank Baum, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, 1900 was adapted to a “TechniColor” film by MGM in 1939. MGM used “Ruby Slippers” in the film for presenting the new “color films” technology for the first time. The “TechniColor” film used and Judy Garland as Dorothy, made the film as popular as the book (over 3 million copies sold). Yes, “soft” science- fiction usually has a female protagonist, and psychology and neurology worked well here.
