Anthrocon 2024

A companion to our 90 Years of Conventions panel, this panel looks at the historian of modern fandom and the early roots of furry fandom. From the anthropomorphic heroes of early science fiction and fantasy zines from the 1930’s, to the talking animals in the funnies, cartoon animals in comics, cartoons, and animation, to the fanzines which gave rise to Steve Gallacci’s Albedo, the birth of the Cartoon Fantasy Organization, and birth of furry room parties and furry cons. This panel is dedicated to furry pioneer Mark Merlino and celebrates 90 years since the founding of the SFL, the first organized fan club.