* Ancient Greek writers: Stories like "The Odyssey" by Homer, which features fantastical creatures and journeys, could be considered early forms of science fiction.
* Lucian of Samosata: This 2nd century AD Greek writer wrote satirical works like "A True History" which poked fun at science and technology, and could be seen as proto-science fiction.
* Johannes Kepler: This 17th century German astronomer wrote "Somnium" (The Dream), a fictional account of a journey to the moon.
* Mary Shelley: Although her novel "Frankenstein" (1818) is often categorized as Gothic horror, its themes of scientific ambition and the dangers of technology fit well within science fiction.
Ultimately, what constitutes "science fiction" is open to interpretation. It's more accurate to say that science fiction evolved over time, building on earlier works and themes. These early examples laid the groundwork for the genre we know today.