History of magazines
First publication, which could be called a magazine, was the German Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen, released in the year 1663. It was a literary and philosophical edition and after it was launched several periodicals with very similar topics were published, and were intended for an intellectual audience.
Name “magazine” appeared in the year 1731 with the occurrence of the Gentleman’s Magazine. The name magazine, which comes from the Arabic word which means the warehouse, and was used for describing the place which deposits large quantity of various goods, while the analogy used to describe a book that contained many useful information for travelers and sailors.
In the mid 19th century readers were not only the rich ones and magazines become available to the middle class. This was beginning for the first family magazines, such as, Dickens Household Words. During the 19th century, increasing attempts was made to cut the price of the magazines.
In nowadays, there are magazines for any subject you want. From the magazines you can learn and find many things. Magazines shape our lives, telling us what to wear, what to eat, what to think about ourselves and the world around us. Also there are magazines for many hobbies and we learn more things and whta is necessary for them. Although this is the age of the Internet, we continue to enjoy magazines, admire their pages, editorials, headlines. Is there anything nicer and comfortable than to come home after a hard day’s work, sit back in a sofa and read your favorite magazine.
History of Magazines in America
The first American magazines were published in 1741. Philadelphia printers Andrew Bradford and Benjamin Franklin, who owned rivaling newspapers, both raced to publish the first American magazine. Bradford ultimately claimed the honor by publishing American Magazine first. Benjamin Franklin’s General Magazine was published three days later. Neither magazine met with much success.
Despite these short-lived ventures, magazines became incredibly popular in America. By the end of the 18th century, there were more than 100 magazines in the United States. Some of the most influential early American magazines were the Pennsylvania Magazine, which was edited by Thomas Paine, and the Massachusetts Magazine.
Early periodicals were so expensive that only the wealthy could afford them. As a result, early publications were geared toward the most learned, cultured and sophisticated individuals of the day. By the 1830s, however, less expensive magazines aimed at the general public began to emerge. Rather than maintaining the intellectual air of their predecessors, these magazines focused on amusement and entertainment.
1. History of Special-Interest Magazines
America’s magazine market increased exponentially in the late 1800s, in large part due to compulsory education and increased literacy. As a result, magazines became more specialized. Periodicals were created specifically for lawyers, artists, musicians and other professionals.
Literary review magazines became popular during the 1800s. Early American literary publications included the Philadelphia Literary Magazine (1803-08) and the Monthly Anthology (1803-11). The magazines showcased essays and fiction pieces written by the best writers of the day. In 1857, The Atlantic was published in Boston. The periodical featured the work of some of America’s greatest writers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes. In 1895, the American magazine The Bookman began listing popular books of the day. This idea ultimately launched the modern bestseller list.
One of the first specialized publications in America was the American Journal of Science (founded in 1818). The magazine, which still exists today, focused on geology and natural sciences. In 1845, inventor Rufus Porter created Scientific American to encourage fellow inventors. The publication explored new inventions, ideas and patents. In the 1900s, magazines began to focus on aspects such as traveling, parenting or sewing.
2. History of Men’s & Women’s Magazines
Godey’s Lady’s Book, published in Philadelphia in 1830, was one of the first women’s magazines in America. Each issue contained poems, essays and artwork made by famous writers and artists of the day. In 1883, the world of women’s magazines was revolutionized when Cyrus Curtis created Ladies’ Home Journal. Edited by his wife Lousia Knapp Curtis, the magazine veered away from the sentimentality of earlier women’s magazines in favor of helpful, hands-on homemaking advice. Each issue contained recipes, cleaning tips and stories. By 1898, Ladies’ Home Journal became the first American magazine to reach 1 million subscribers.
In 1933, the first men’s magazine was published in America. Created to be “all things to all men,” Esquire covered fashion, music and culture. The magazine is still popular today.
3. History of Teen Magazines
In 1944, Seventeen magazine was founded. The publication was the first American magazine created specifically for adolescents. The magazine’s original mission was to encourage teenage girls to become well-rounded human beings. Initially, the magazine contained articles about work, service, citizenship, beauty and fashion. However, the magazine soon began to focus on beauty and fashion. Other magazines such Teen Vogue followed suit. These magazines helped solidify and shape the newly minted concept of a teenager.
4. History of Today’s Popular Magazines
In 1888, National Geographic Magazine was founded. The publication was filled with scientific content and colorful photos. Some of the magazine’s early revenue was used to fund scientific expeditions and endeavors. Today, the magazine is a highly respected publication that covers science, geology and world events.
In 1922, William Roy DeWitt Wallace founded Reader’s Digest. The magazine contained articles about American culture, humorous bits, cartoons and heartwarming stories. Reader’s Digest was the best-selling magazine in America for several years. Today, the beloved publication is filled with health tips, recipes, inspiring true stories and funny blurbs.
Better Homes and Gardens, now the fifth largest magazine in America, was founded in 1923. The magazine was filled with decorating tips, entertaining ideas and gardening suggestions. Today, Better Homes and Gardens is beloved for its recipes and design ideas.
America’s first weekly news magazine was founded in 1923. The publication covered the top national and international stories. Today, TIME magazine is a leading source for factual, in-depth news articles.
Sports Illustrated was first published in 1954. Initially, Sports Illustrated covered activities geared towards wealthy Americans, such as boating and playing polo. In the 1960s, journalist Andre Laguerre became the assistant managing editor of the fledging publication. Thanks to his leadership, the magazine began focusing on all major sports. Today, Sports Illustrated is famous for its sharp sports coverage.
Today, there are thousands of magazines worldwide. Magazines inspire, inform, educate and entertain audiences across the globe. Nearly 600 years after the advent of the printing press, magazines continue to change the nature of things throughout the world.