Popular Science#Early history

The Popular Science Monthly, as the publication was originally called, was founded in May 1872{{cite web|title=Top 100 U.S. Magazines by Circulation|url=http://www.psaresearch.com/images/TOPMAGAZINES.pdf|work=PSA Research Center|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115225953/http://www.psaresearch.com/images/TOPMAGAZINES.pdf|archive-date=November 15, 2016|url-status=dead}} by Edward L. Youmans to disseminate scientific knowledge to the educated layman. Youmans had previously worked as an editor for the weekly Appleton's Journal and persuaded them to publish his new journal. Early issues were mostly reprints of English periodicals. The journal became an outlet for writings and ideas of Charles Darwin, Thomas Henry Huxley, Louis Pasteur, Henry Ward Beecher, Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, Thomas Edison, John Dewey and James McKeen Cattell. William Jay Youmans, Edward's brother, helped found Popular Science Monthly in 1872 and was an editor as well. He became editor-in-chief on Edward's death in 1887.{{Cite NIE|wstitle=Youmans, William Jay|year=1905}} The publisher, D. Appleton & Company, was forced to sell the journal for economic reasons in 1900.{{cite book|last1=Nourie|first1=Alan

|url=https://archive.org/details/americanmassmark00nour/page/385|title=American Mass Market Magazines|author2=Barbara Nourie|year=1990|isbn=978-0-313-25254-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanmassmark00nour/page/385 385–399]|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic

|url-access=registration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316152748/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB971994073376548863.html?mod=Media-Marketing|archive-date=March 16, 2009|url-status=dead}}

James McKeen Cattell became the editor in 1900 and the publisher in 1901. Cattell had a background in academics and continued publishing articles for educated readers. By 1915, the readership was declining and publishing a science journal was a financial challenge. In a September 1915 editorial, Cattell related these difficulties to his readers and announced that the Popular Science Monthly name had been transferred to the Modern Publishing Company to start a new publication for general audiences. The existing academic journal would continue publishing under the name The Scientific Monthly, retaining existing subscribers.{{cite magazine | last=Cattell | first = James McKeen | title = The Scientific Monthly and the Popular Science Monthly | journal = Popular Science Monthly | volume = 87 | issue = 3 | pages = 307–310 | date=September 1915 | url = https://archive.org/stream/popularsciencemo87newy#page/307/mode/1up}} Scientific Monthly was published until 1958 when it was absorbed into Science.{{cite web | url=http://archives.aaas.org/exhibit/maturing3.php | title= AAAS and the Maturing of American Science: 1941–1970 | publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science|access-date=October 3, 2013}}

After acquiring the Electrician and Mechanic magazine in 1914, the Modern Publishing Company had merged it with Modern Electrics to become Modern Electrics & Mechanics. Later that year, they merged the publication with Popular Electricity and World's Advance to form Popular Electricity and Modern Mechanics. After further name changes that caused confusion among librarians, the Modern Publishing Company had purchased the Popular Science Monthly name to provide a clear signifier of the publication's focus on popular science.{{cite journal | last = Faxon | first = Frederick W | title = Editorial Comment: Magazine Notes | journal = Bulletin of Bibliography and Dramatic Index | volume = 9 | issue = 1 |date=January 1916 | page =2 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jCIDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA2}}

File:PopularScienceSeptember1920.png

The October 1915 issue was titled Popular Science Monthly and World's Advance. The volume number (Vol. 87, No. 4) was that of Popular Science but the content was that of World's Advance. The new editor was Waldemar Kaempffert, a former editor of Scientific American.{{cite news|date=August 29, 1915|title=September's Harvest of Important Books|page=BR312|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/08/29/archives/septembers-harvest-of-important-books-fiction-by-hg-wells-f.html}} "The Popular Science Monthly has been bought by the Modern Publishing Company of New York City…"{{cite book | last = Walter | first = Frank Keller | title = Periodicals for the Small Library | publisher=American Library Association | year = 1918 | page =[https://archive.org/details/periodicalsfors00assogoog/page/n28 24] |edition= 2nd | url = https://archive.org/details/periodicalsfors00assogoog}} The new Popular Science Monthly is continued from World's Advance, old version in now Scientific Monthly.

The change in Popular Science Monthly was dramatic. The old version was a scholarly journal that had eight to ten articles in a 100-page issue. There would be ten to twenty photographs or illustrations. The new version had hundreds of short, easy to read articles with hundreds of illustrations. Editor Kaempffert was writing for "the home craftsman and hobbyist who wanted to know something about the world of science." The circulation doubled in the first year.

From the mid-1930s to the 1960s, the magazine featured fictional stories of Gus Wilson's Model Garage, centered on car problems.

An annual review of changes to the new model year cars ran in 1940 and 1941, but did not return after the war until 1954. It continued until the mid-1970s when the magazine reverted to publishing the new models over multiple issues as information became available.

From 1935 to 1949, the magazine sponsored a series of short films, produced by Jerry Fairbanks and released by Paramount Pictures.

From July 1952 to December 1989, Popular Science carried Roy Doty's Wordless Workshop as a regular feature.

From July 1969 to May 1989, the cover and table of contents carried the subtitle, "The What's New Magazine." The cover removed the subtitle the following month and the contents page removed it in February 1990. In 1983, the magazine introduced a new logo using the ITC Avant Garde font, which it used until late 1995. Within the next 11 years, its font changed four times (in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2002, respectively). In 2009, the magazine used a new font for its logo, which was used until the January 2014 issue.

In 2014, the magazine underwent a major redesign; its February 2014 issue introduced a new logo, and a new format featuring greater use of graphics and imagery, aiming to broaden its content to appeal to wider attention to the environment, science, and technology among a mass audience. The revamp concluded in November 2014 with a redesign of the Popular Science website.{{Cite web |title=Folio January/February 2014 – With Redesign, Popular Science Tweaks Its 140-Year-Old Formula |url=http://read.nxtbook.com/folio/foliomag/januaryfebruary2014/withredesign_bestpractices.html |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=read.nxtbook.com}}{{Cite web |last=Mosher |first=Dave |date=2014-11-24 |title=Welcome To The New Popular Science |url=https://www.popsci.com/welcome-new-popular-science-website-november-2014/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}}

The Popular Science Publishing Company was acquired in 1967 by the Los Angeles–based Times Mirror Company. In 2000, Times Mirror merged with the Chicago-based Tribune Company, which then sold the Times Mirror magazines to Time Inc. (then a subsidiary of Time Warner) the following year. On January 25, 2007, Time Warner sold this magazine, along with 17 other special interest magazines, to Bonnier Magazine Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1582185,00.html |title=Bonnier Magazine Group Buys 18 Magazines from Time Inc|publisher=Time Warner|access-date=1 April 2012}}

In January 2016, Popular Science switched to bi-monthly publication after 144 years of monthly publication.{{cite web|title=Big Changes at Popular Science|url=http://www.popsci.com/big-changes-at-popular-science |website=Popular Science|date=17 December 2015 |access-date=20 January 2016}}

In April 2016 it was announced that editor-in-chief Cliff Ransom would be leaving the magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.cision.com/us/2016/04/cliff-ransom-steps-down-at-popular-science/|title=Cliff Ransom Steps Down at Popular Science|date=22 April 2016|work=Cision}}

In August 2016, Joe Brown was named Popular Science's new editor-in-chief. In September 2018, it was announced that Popular Science would become a quarterly publication.{{cite news|author=Faisal Kalim |title="Magazines are alive and well": Publishers refresh their strategies for the print format |url=https://whatsnewinpublishing.com/magazines-are-alive-and-well-publishers-refresh-their-strategies-for-the-print-format/|access-date=1 June 2020|work=WNIP|date=13 August 2019}} During his tenure, Popular Science diversified its readership base,{{Cite web |date=2018-06-21 |title=How Popular Science is shedding its male-geek image |url=https://digiday.com/media/popular-science-shedding-male-geek-image/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}} was nominated for several National Magazine Awards, winning for The Tiny Issue in 2019, and named to AdWeek's Hot List in 2019.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-10-15 |title=These Print And Digital Publishers Are Redefining What It Means to Be a Media Brand in 2018 |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/these-print-and-digital-publishers-are-redefining-what-it-means-to-be-a-media-brand-in-2018/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}} Brown stepped down in February 2020.

In March 2020, executive editor Corinne Iozzio was named editor-in-chief.{{Cite press release |date=2020-03-10 |title=Corinne Iozzio Named Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science |url=https://www.bonniercorp.com/corinne-iozzio-named-editor-in-chief-of-popular-science/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Bonnier |language=en-US}} During her tenure, the brand moved from a print to a digital-only publication, produced extensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrated its 150-year anniversary,{{Cite web |title=150 years of Popular Science |url=https://www.popsci.com/150years/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}} and relaunched its "Brilliant 10" franchise.{{Cite web |last=Gourgey |first=Bill |date=2021-09-20 |title=The Brilliant 10: The most innovative up-and-coming minds in science |url=https://www.popsci.com/science/brilliant-scientists-2021/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}} Iozzio and her team won a 2022 National Magazine Award for its "Heat" issue.{{Cite press release |date=2022-04-11 |title=Popular Science Wins 2022 ASME for Best Single-Topic Issue |url=https://recurrent.io/popular-science-wins-2022-asme-for-best-single-topic-issue/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Recurrent |language=en-US}} The issue, an in-depth look at the stark realities and ingenuity of a warming world, was the second win in the Single-Topic Issue category but the first in its new digital-only format. In August 2022, after more than a decade at Popular Science and two-and-a-half years leading the brand, Iozzio announced that she would step down as editor-in-chief in October of that year.

On October 6, 2020, the Bonnier Group sold Popular Science and six other special interest magazines, including the well-known titles Popular Photography, Outdoor Life, and Field & Stream, to North Equity LLC.{{cite news |last= Alpert |first= Lukas I. |date= October 6, 2020 |title= Bonnier Corp to Sell Its Biggest U.S. Magazines to Venture Equity Group |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/bonnier-corp-to-sell-its-biggest-u-s-magazines-to-venture-equity-group-11601992861 |work=Wall Street Journal}} While North Equity is a venture equity firm that primarily invests in digital media brands, David Ritchie, CEO of the Bonnier Corp, said Bonnier believes, "North Equity is best-positioned to continue to invest in and grow these iconic legacy brands."{{cite press release |url= https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-equity-announces-acquisition-of-iconic-brands-including-popular-science-saveur-outdoor-life-and-field--stream-301146772.html |title= North Equity Announces Acquisition of Iconic Brands Including Popular Science, Saveur, Outdoor Life and Field & Stream |date= October 6, 2020 |website= PRNewswire}}{{Cite web|url=https://northequity.com/|title=Welcome to North Equity|website=North Equity}} In June 2021, North Equity introduced Recurrent Ventures as the new parent company to its digital media portfolio.{{Cite press release |last=Hebert |first=Cathy |date=2021-06-15 |title=Recurrent Ventures Named the New Parent Company of Popular Science, The Drive, Domino, Field & Stream, and Other Brands |url=https://recurrent.io/recurrent-ventures-named-the-new-parent-company-of-popular-science-the-drive-domino-field-stream-and-other-brands/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Recurrent |language=en-US}}

From April 27, 2021, the Popular Science publication was changed to a fully digital format and is no longer in physical print.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/story/science/popsci-spring-2021-digital-issue/|title = Welcome to the new digital edition of Popular Science|date = 27 April 2021|last=Iozzio|first=Corinne|publisher=PopSci+}} Its digital subscription offering, PopSci+{{Cite web |title=About PopSci+ {{!}} Popular Science's Premium Content Membership |url=https://www.popsci.com/popsci-plus/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Popular Science |language=en-US}} is inclusive of exclusive digital content and the magazine.

In January 2023, Annie Colbert was named the new editor-in-chief. She joined the brand after spending more than 10 years at Mashable.{{cite press release|title=Recurrent Names Annie Colbert Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science|url=https://recurrent.io/recurrent-names-annie-colbert-editor-in-chief-of-popular-science/|publisher=Recurrent|last=Hebert|first=Cathy|date=19 January 2023}}

Popular Science Radio was a partnership between Popular Science and Entertainment Radio Network which ran through 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ernlive.com/show/popular-science-radio/57|title=Popular Science Radio}}

On March 27, 2011, Popular Science magazine sold the 10,000th subscription to its iPad edition, nearly six weeks after accepting Apple's terms for selling subs on its tablet.Nat Ives, adage.

In 2018, Popular Science launched two podcasts, Last Week in Tech and The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week,{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weirdest-thing-i-learned-this-week/id1377843908 |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US}} Last Week in Tech was later replaced by Techathlon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/popular-science-podcasts/|title=Popular Science Podcasts}}{{Cite web |last=Silber |first=Tony |title=With A New Podcast, Popular Science Looks To Stand Out From The Monotony Of Tech Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonysilber/2019/03/23/with-a-new-podcast-popular-science-looks-to-stand-out-from-the-monotony-of-tech-media/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Weirdest Thing proved to be the brand's breakout hit. After just one episode, Apple Podcasts included "Weirdest Thing" on their weekly "New & Noteworthy" list, and over the years it has hosted a number of live events.

In early 2010, Bonnier partnered with London-based design firm BERG to create Mag+, a magazine publishing platform for tablets. In April 2010, Popular Science+,{{cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/popular-science/id364049283|title=Popular Science+ in iTunes|work=iTunes|date=February 24, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2012}}{{cite web|author=Lynda Applegate |display-authors=etal |title=Bonnier: Digitalizing the Media Business|url=http://www.informatik.umu.se/digitalAssets/141/141280_118690_bonnierhbsvt13.pdf|work=Harvard Business School|access-date=November 1, 2016|date=November 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104001427/http://www.informatik.umu.se/digitalAssets/141/141280_118690_bonnierhbsvt13.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} the first title on the Mag+ platform, launched in the iTunes Store the same day the iPad launched.{{cite web|last=Fell |first=Jason |url=http://www.foliomag.com/2010/how-popular-science-built-its-ipad-app-62-days|title=How Popular Science Built Its App in 62 Days|work=Foliomag|access-date=April 1, 2012|date=2010-04-07}} The app contains all the content in the print version as well as added content and digital-only extras. Bonnier has since launched several more titles on the Mag+ platform, including Popular Photography+ and Transworld Snowboarding+.

On September 24, 2008, Australian publishing company Australian Media Properties (part of the WW Media Group) launched a local version of Popular Science. It is a monthly magazine, like its American counterpart, and uses content from the American version of the magazine as well as local material.{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com.au/2008/09/popular_science_launches_in_australia/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929011557/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/09/popular_science_launches_in_australia.html|url-status=live|title=Popular Science Launches In Australia|date=September 24, 2008|archive-date=September 29, 2008}} Australian Media Properties also launched www.popsci.com.au at the same time, a localised version of the Popular Science website.

In July 2007, Popular Science launched the Popular Science Predictions EXchange (PPX). People were able to place virtual bets on what the next innovations in technology, the environment, and science would be. Bets have included whether Facebook would have an initial public offering by 2008, when a touchscreen iPod would be launched, and whether Dongtan, China's eco-city, would be inhabited by 2010. The PPX shut down in 2009.

Popular Science's Future Of...{{cite web|url=http://www.popsci.com/announcements/article/2009-08/popscis-future-science-channel|title=PopSci's "Future Of" on The Science Channel |website=Popular Science |date=August 24, 2009|access-date=April 1, 2012}} show premiered on August 10, 2009, on the Science Channel. The show was concerned with the future of technology and science in a particular topic area that varies from week to week. As of December 2009, a new episode was premiering every Monday.{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencechannel.com/popsci|title=PopSci's Future of|work=Science Channel|date=January 23, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918032329/http://www.sciencechannel.com/popsci|archive-date=September 18, 2012}}

Popular Science has published a number of books, including the bestselling Big Book of Hacks{{Cite book |last=Cantor |first=Doug |title=The Big Book of Hacks: 264 Amazing DIY Tech Projects |date=2012-10-23 |publisher=Weldon Owen |isbn=978-1-61628-399-5 |edition=Original |location=San Francisco |language=English}} and Big Book of Maker Skills.{{Cite book |last=Hackett |first=Chris |title=The Big Book of Maker Skills (Popular Science): Tools & Techniques for Building Great Tech Projects |date=2014-11-04 |publisher=Weldon Owen |isbn=978-1-61628-890-7 |edition=Illustrated |language=English}}

The brand has also published The Total Inventor's Manual{{Cite book |last=Ragan |first=Sean Michael |title=The Total Inventors Manual (Popular Science): Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product |date=2017-01-10 |publisher=Weldon Owen |isbn=978-1-68188-158-4 |language=English}} and The Future Then,{{Cite book |last= |first= |title=The Future Then: Fascinating Art & Predictions from 145 Years of Popular Science |date=2018-07-10 |publisher=Weldon Owen |isbn=978-1-68188-299-4 |edition=Illustrated |language=English}} which was published in conjunction with the brand's 145th anniversary.

In June 2014, Popular Science Italia was launched in Italy by Kekoa Publishing. Directed by Francesco Maria Avitto, the magazine is available in print and digital version.{{cite web| url=http://www.quotidianosanita.it/cronache/articolo.php?articolo_id=22439|title=Popular Science. Sbarca in Italia il mensile di scienza e tecnologia più antico e diffuso al Mondo – Quotidiano Sanità}}

In April 2017, Popular Science was launched in Arabic by United Arab Emirates-based publisher Haykal Media. The magazine is available in print bimonthly, and through a daily updated portal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dubaifuture.gov.ae/%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B3%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86/|title=Dubai Future Foundation April 2017}}

Sources: American Mass-Market Magazines The Wall Street Journal{{cite news | first = Matthew | last = Rose | author2 = Nikhil Deogun | title = Time Warner to Pay $475 Million To Buy Times Mirror Magazines | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB971994073376548863?mod=Media-Marketing | work = The Wall Street Journal | date = October 20, 2000}} and New York Post.{{cite news | first = Keith J. | last = Kelly | title = Time Warner Sells Mags Under $300m | url = http://www.nypost.com/seven/01252007/business/time_warner_sells_mags_under_300m_business_keith_j__kelly.htm | work = New York Post | date = January 25, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081122122810/http://www.nypost.com/seven/01252007/business/time_warner_sells_mags_under_300m_business_keith_j__kelly.htm | archive-date = November 22, 2008}}

{{cite news |last= Kelly |first= Keith J. |date= October 6, 2020 |title= Bonnier Corp. Sells Popular Science, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life |url= https://nypost.com/2020/10/06/bonnier-sells-popular-science-field-stream-and-outdoor-life/ | work= New York Post}}

Image:Popsci7.jpg|"Ship on Stilts Rides Above Waves", January 1936, by Edgar Franklin Wittmack

Image:Popular_Science_May_1949.jpg|"Is U.S Building a 'New Moon'"?, May 1949

Image:Popsci2.jpg|"Cars Without Wheels", July 1959

• Popular Mechanics

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Wikisource|Popular Science Monthly|Popular Science Monthly}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.popsci.com Popular Science]
• [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/popular-science/id364049283 Popular Science+ in iTunes]
• [http://www.popsci.com.au/ Popular Science Australia]
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=qR8DAAAAMBAJ&source=gbs_all_issues_r&cad=2_2 Popular Science magazine: 1872–2008] Online, readable back issues.

Category:1872 establishments in the United States

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Category:Magazines established in 1872

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Category:Magazines published in Iowa

Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States

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Category:Online magazines published in the United States