The History of Magazine Production
A magazine is a periodical that comes out on a weekly, monthly or even annual schedule, containing pictures, articles and stories of interest to subscribers. Magazines had a hard beginning and face issues in the Internet age, but they have been important over the years in providing readers with information and entertainment.
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Beginning
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The first English-language magazine was "The Review," published in London in 1704 by Daniel Defoe. In 1741, magazines made their way to America, though most publications lasted only a few issues.
Expanding Audience
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Magazines became more popular as new printing technologies allowed for cheaper production and compulsory education led to a greater level of literacy.
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Influence
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Historically, magazines have had a powerful influence on people and society. Muckrakers like Upton Sinclair used magazines to expose the injustices of the factories during the industrial revolution. "National Geographic," first published in 1899, promoted cultural awareness through its photographs and essays on people from around the world.
News Magazines
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There was an increased interest in world events because of Word War I. This led to the creation of news magazines such as "Time" in 1923 and "Newsweek" a decade later.
Variety
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The twentieth century saw a wide range of magazines, from women's magazines such as "Family Circle" and "Cosmopolitan," men's magazines like "Playboy" and "Field and Stream," and general interest magazines like "Reader's Digest."
Online Magazines
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Much of the cost of producing magazines comes from paper, postage and circulation. In order to save costs, many magazines today exist partially or even solely online.
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