The idea was originally proposed in 1913 by Camille Flammarion, a French astronomer, but was postponed when war broke out.

ECONOMIST: Gnomonic possession

According to Brian Stableford, writing in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, the definitive reference on the genre, Camille Flammarion was the first author to present a popular fictional portrait of truly alien life-forms.

NEWYORKER: The Cosmic Menagerie