The History of Print Magazines

While the future of print media, and magazines in particular, continues to be fodder for articles and blogs, the history of magazines is quickly becoming popular in media textbooks. Students in communications fields, from graphic arts to journalism, explore the history that led to the now increasingly electronic conveyance of information.

Beginnings

"The Gentleman's Magazine" was published in London in 1731 by a printer named Edward Cave. It was the first multipage-format publication bound not as a book, but as loose-leaf pages.

Colonial Magazines

Not long after Mr. Cave published his magazine, Andrew Bradford published "American Magazine" in the American Colonies, in 1741. At the same time, Benjamin Franklin brought "General Magazine" to the public. These publications were less expensive than books, and the information was contemporary and fresh.

Content

Much of the content of these early American magazines was recycled from English news. That began to change in the early 19th century. The "Saturday Evening Post" was first published in 1821, and is considered the first of the general-interest magazines. It was then also a standard of American literature, as American writers worked to establish their voices in world literature.

Gender

These early magazines on both sides of the Atlantic had primarily male readers and contributors. In 1821, Sara Joseph Hale took on the role as editor for "Lady's Magazine," the first magazine targeted at women. Foregoing fluff and recycled news from abroad, Hale established a new direction, bringing serious articles on education and uplifting of women.

Postal Act

Magazines began to focus on national readership. Their advertisers then could appeal to consumers across the nation, broadening their consumer base. The Postal Act of 1879 created a low-cost means of getting magazines into American homes; magazines could be shipped out for a penny a pound. This resulted in coast-to-coast coverage.

Muckraking

At the beginning of the 20th century, investigative journalism was becoming an integral part of magazine content. Journalists increasingly investigated institutions, businesses and even the presidency. President Theodore Roosevelt, at times a target of such investigations, coined the term "muckraking."

Online

Throughout the 20th century, magazines like "Playboy" and "Cosmopolitan" established the niche magazine, one in which the focus is narrowed to a specific readership. These titles enjoyed wide readerships alongside general-interest magazines. Now, as the Internet becomes the primary source of information for upcoming generations, magazines are working to establish their online presence.