The first magazine appeared in Germany, in 1663, and had such a long name that it certainly took a lot of work to be fitted to the cover: Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredungen, something like “Edifying Monthly Discussions”. It is no coincidence that the history of magazines began in Germany. It was there that, 200 years before this pioneering publication, the craftsman Johannes Gutenberg developed printing with movable type, a technique used without major changes until the 20th century to print newspapers, books and magazines. With Gutenberg’s invention, sporadic pamphlets – which could, for example, bring reports about an important battle – began to be published at increasingly regular intervals, becoming embryos of the first magazines worthy of the name, that is, a half- term between newspapers with relatively recent news and books. In addition to the German Erbauliche, other titles appeared in the 17th century, such as the French Le Mercure (1672) and the English The Athenian Gazette (1690).
At that time, magazines addressed specific subjects and seemed more like collections of texts with a purely didactic character. In the early 19th century, titles on general interests began to gain space, which dealt with entertainment and family life issues. It is also during this period that the first magazine made in Brazil appears: As Variedades ou Ensaios de Literatura, created in 1812, in Salvador, and which, in fact, had the appearance of a book, addressing erudite themes. A few decades later, in 1839, the Revista do Instituto Histórico e Geographico Brasileiro was born. Encouraging cultural and scientific discussions, it is the oldest magazine still in circulation in our country.
In the 20th century, with the improvement of printing techniques, cheaper paper and the increased use of advertising as a way to pay production costs, magazines exploded all over the world, with increasingly segmented titles, aimed at audiences with super specific interests. It’s kind of like going back to basics, isn’t it?
Publications of the 19th century reached a circulation of 300,000 copies
1663 – ERBAULICHE MONATHS-UNTERREDUNGEN
Created by a theologian and poet named Johann Rist, from the city of Hamburg, Germany, this was the first magazine that is known. The «Edifying Monthly Discussions» were published until 1668
1693 – LADIE’S MERCURY
The English journalist John Dunton was responsible for this pioneering women’s magazine, a segment that would be very successful. Three years before launching it, Dunton had edited the Athenian Gazette, intended to answer “all the curious questions” – was it a of the time? Athenian gave Dunton experience to prepare a publication dedicated to the “beautiful sex”
1842 – THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS
The Englishman Herbert Ingram believed that illustrated magazines would be a commercial success. His weekly publication The Illustrated London News proved him right. It was the first magazine to use illustrations to accompany the text of articles. The innovation inspired other illustrated magazines at the time. Left, a cover of the London News from 1953
1888 – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Published to this day, it is one of the most important scientific journals in the world, funding expeditions and explorations. It was one of the first to publish color photos, in addition to being a pioneer in various types of images, such as the bottom of the sea, space and wild animals. Left, a 1907 National
1928 – THE CRUISE
One of the most important magazines in Brazil. It was founded by journalist Assis Chateaubriand. The first issue of Cruzeiro – still without the “O” – had a circulation of 50,000 copies, featuring short stories and, mainly, great reports, illustrated with drawings and photographs. On the left, the first cover of Cruzeiro
1731 – THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE
Published in England by Edward Cave, it is considered the first modern magazine. Most of its pages were devoted to entertainment, including essays, fiction and poems. But there were still political comments and criticisms. It was the first time that the word magazine was used for this type of publication. Right, Gentleman’s edition of 1731
1892 – VOGUE
Initially, this American magazine, founded by an aristocratic editor named Arthur Turnure, was dedicated to the luxuries and pleasures of life, in addition to reporting on fashion, of course. Vogue’s target audience was the wealthy elite of New York City in the late 19th century. Its reputation as a bible of fashion holds up to this day.
1936 – LIFE MAGAZINE
Founded by American editor Henry Luce, it was the most important and influential magazine in the history of photojournalism. To give you an idea, its first edition had 96 full-page photographs. The publication stopped circulating weekly in 1972. Right, cover of Life, 1936
1855 – LESLIE’S WEEKLY
It was one of the first American magazines to use illustrations. In the second half of the 19th century, it had an average circulation of 100,000 copies. However, that number tripled according to the subject addressed in the issue. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the publication innovated, sending 12 correspondents to cover the conflict. Left, Leslie’s 1915 cover
1925 – THE NEW YORKER
Founded by the American publisher Harold Ross, it became famous for its humor and the quality of its literary texts. She began by dealing with the cultural and social life of New York, but soon opened space for criticism, fiction texts and reports. Among his collaborators are great writers of the 20th century, such as Dorothy Parker and JD Salinger.