What did L. Ron Hubbard do before founding Scientology?

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Father of Scientology — Scientology L. Ron Hubbard's seminal – and controversial – work was *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*, written in 1950.

Before founding Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard was primarily known as an American novelist. During the 1930s and 1940s, he wrote and published numerous short stories and novels across various genres, most notably horror and science fiction.1

Following his service in the United States Navy during World War II, Hubbard shifted his focus toward his theories on the human mind. This work culminated in the 1950 publication of his book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. He subsequently transitioned from the psychological focus of Dianetics to a broader, more religious framework regarding the human condition, which led him to establish the Church of Scientology in 1954.1