This 1949 Science Fiction Novel by Von Braun Names the Leader of Martian Civilization as "Elon"

 

In 1949, rocket scientist Wernher von Braun wrote a science fiction book about humanity's first mission to Mars. Von Braun put his considerable technical knowledge to use in writing Project Mars: A Technical Tale. In his story, set in the 1980s, ten large space ships make the journey, a project which required "upwards of 1,000 flights into Earth's orbit" in order to "build, supply and fuel these ten ships, and it is an international, cooperative project." By chapter 22 of von Braun’s novel, the human visitors have discovered a peaceful indigenous civilization that resides underground on Mars (remembering when he wrote it, little was known about the planet’s habitability). And then, in chapter 24, we are given an outline of how Mars is governed by this civilization. It’s here that we come across a wonderfully surprising discovery: The Martian government was directed by ten men, the leader of whom was elected by universal suffrage for five years and entitled “Elon.” Two houses of Parliament enacted the laws to be administered by the Elon and his cabinet. The Upper House was called the Council of the Elders and was limited to a membership of 60 persons, each being appointed for life by the Elon as vacancies occurred by death. In principle, the method was not unlike that by which the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church is appointed. Usually the Elon chose historians, churchmen, former cabinet members or successful economic leaders who could offer lifetimes of valuable experience.