Magazines

        The other day, we discussed magazines in class. We learned that the first magazine was made in 1741 by no other than Benjamin Franklin. I did not find this surprising as he can be considered the creator of many 18th century inventions. It interested me how magazines became popular nationwide just prior to the beginnings of the Civil War. That makes me wonder if collective, in-depth analyzations of war happenings were published in the magazines. Magazines also helped create a national identity for the U.S. through art and literature. This publication was so important because it was the first to truly become national with a vast audience. It became this way with the passing of the Postal Act of 1879, where magazines could be sold for a penny per pound. Magazines led to the innovation of photojournalism, which is something we could not picture media without today. Eventually, radio killed the magazine business and forced magazine companies into demassification.