The representation of women on science fiction book covers has changed significantly between the 1950s and the 1980s. In the 1950s, women were often depicted as damsels in distress, sex objects, or helpless victims. They were rarely shown as competent scientists, engineers, or leaders.
In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a shift towards more positive representations of women in science fiction. Women were increasingly shown as protagonists, often in roles that required intelligence, courage, and resourcefulness. They were also more likely to be depicted in positions of authority.
By the 1980s, women had become a more commonplace presence on science fiction book covers. They were no longer relegated to stereotypical roles, and were instead shown as complex and multifaceted characters. This change reflects the growing acceptance of women in society as a whole.