“There is a fifth dimension beyond that known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, science and superstition and lies between the abyss of man's fears and the peak of his knowledge. This is a dimension of imagination. It's an area we call The Twilight Zone!” (The Twilight Zone, 4) These are the words of Rod Serling, an American screenwriter who developed abstract visions and conveyed them to millions of people. Serling was one of the most influential and creative people of his time. He manipulated common fears, thoughts, suspicions and ideas to show deeper morals and convey messages to his audience. Rodman Edward Serling grew up in Binghamton, New York. He was born on December 25, 1924. His father was Samuel Lawrence Serling, a butcher. His mother was Esther Cooper Serling and he had a brother, Robert J. Serling. (Rod Serling, 2) They grew up Jewish. As a child his parents encouraged Rod's creative mind. His brother often recalled long road trips from Binghamton to Syracuse, during which his father would not allow anyone to speak until Rod stopped talking. Sometimes the trips lasted more than two hours, but Rod was the only one talking. Those in his family had often said they were surprised that Rod had chosen a career as a director instead of an actor. (Serling, Rod, 1) After graduating from high school Serling went to serve in World War II. He was a paratrooper in the Pacific and won a Purple Heart for his help in liberating the Philippines. (Rod Serling, 2) He was wounded in the wrist but other than that he returned home with no permanent physical injuries. However, he suffered a minor trauma. After the end of the war he went to... half of the newspaper... born in the 1950s presented The Tower of Terror on the Twilight Zone. And the name The Twilight Zone is now synonymous in our culture with a strange event. Serling has been ranked by critics first in lists of the great science fiction writers of all time. He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985 (Rod Serling, 2). As you can see, Rod Serling used his creative and imaginative scripts to convey thoughts, ideas, and messages to the American public. He influenced the science fiction community with his stories, he used the paranormal in innovative ways to influence his viewers. It has had an effect on the world of television, as well as many people of all ages. He was one of the most creative, fascinating, influential and intelligent people of his time. Rod Serling's life was relatively normal, yet his imagination clearly came from The Twilight Zone.