Bad Effects Of Magazines(History)

Invention Of Magazines

 The 1700s ushered in a time of increased literacy and intellectual prowess, especially among women. Society's hunger for knowledge enabled magazines to become a popular cultural staple. English printers produced three essay periodicals that set the stage for modern magazines: Daniel Defoe's The Review (published 1704-13); Sir Richard Steele's The Tatler (published 1709-11); and Addison and Steele's The Spectator (published 1711-12).  Because the periodicals were published several times a  week, they resembled magazines a lot. The content they put out was like our modern day magazines. 

In 1731, an Englishman named Edward Cave published a periodical called The Gentleman's Magazine. He invented the word "magazine" from the Arabic word makhazin, which meant storehouse. Cave's goal was to create a magazine that the general public would be interested in. His publication contained everything from essays and poems to stories and political musings. Cave achieved two noteworthy accomplishments: he coined the term "magazine," and he was the first publisher to successfully fashion a wide-ranging publication. 

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: Bradford's publication folded after three months, and Franklin's lasted only six months.

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.

History Of Men's And 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. 

History Of Teen's 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.