In the course of Worldcon 75, the organizers have just announced that “the Hugo Awards have been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running science fiction award.”

First awarded in in 1953, at the 11th World Science Fiction Convention, the Hugo Awards have been an integral part of Worldcon in its post-war rise to science fiction and fantasy pre-eminence. Given that Worldcon itself is now 75, it’s no surprise that its constituent awards should have become the gold standard for the field. The Guinness decision should also contribute a little much-needed perspective to the whole Sad/Rabid Puppies saga around the Hugos, and the issues around the other awards platforms playing into that story.

You can see from the display lineup at Worldcon 75 that the Hugos have been lining up for a very long time, and bid fair to extend their lead. After all, being bitten by a puppy doesn’t need to trip you up … especially if you’re a rocket…