TWIRFMR

Archive for the ‘Periodicals of Yore’ Category

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Periodicals of Yore: Radio Craft

In Art, Periodicals of Yore on September 3, 2009 at 9:50 am

 Established in 1929, Radio Craft was a monthly magazine dedicated to radio and other emerging technologies of the time.  Hugo Gernsback, a mail-order electrical supplier, published Radio Craft as Gernsback Publications after his previous company, Experimenter Publications (Amazing Stories) went bankrupt.  The articles in Radio Craft were extremely technical as evidenced by the sub-heading on early editions of the magazine:  “For the Professional-Serviceman-Radiotrician.” Example articles included, “How to Build  the Diode-Triode Reflex Receiver” (Nov. 1932), “Antennas for Turret Top Cars” (June 1935), and “60 Watt Direct Coupled Amplifier” (May 1940). Without question, Radio Craft for saw as well as contributed  technological advances that make it possible for you to read this very post.

Radio Craft was re-named Radio Electronics in 1948 and survived under various guises until the dissolution of Gernsback Publishing in 2002.

The covers of Radio Craft are superb. Even if dry, technical writing  isn’t your bag, please check out the art work that elevated this magazine to something more than just articles on frequency mixers and spectrum control units. Examples of Radio Craft’s covers  during its nineteen year history are below.

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NOTE:  Additional covers of Radio Craft can be found at MagazineArt.org, an organization who collect and scan vintage magazines on a volunteer basis; no paid employees or financial incentive. TWIRFMR highly recommends this site.

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Periodicals of Yore: The European

In Periodicals of Yore on July 12, 2009 at 1:28 pm

europeanmasthead

The European was an English language newspaper published in Britain and distributed throughout the the UK and Europe. It existed for nearly a decade (1990-1998) in several incarnations. Similar to USA Today, The European aspired to be a national newspaper (the “nation” being of course, Europe). It was no coincidence that the idea of a newspaper dedicated to pan-Euro news was conceived at a time when the unification of European nations was just a Maastrict Treaty away from becoming a reality. The paper’s target demographic appeared to be upper-class white males but you certainly didn’t have to be one to appreciate The European; it was intellectually stimulating, well-written, and possessed an aesthetically pleasing, sophisticated layout. Oh, and a terrific logo to boot. Although its founder (Robert Maxwell, found dead at sea only a year after the paper’s launch) envisioned The European as a daily, the paper was in actuality, a weekly—a fact that may have worked in its favor in terms of quality of content. Unfortunately, the paper’s circulation remained low throughout it’s lifespan and despite a revamp in early 1998 (from broadsheet to tabloid format), The European proved too costly to continue. The last issue was published in December of 1998.

european2

Update:  TWIRMFR just came across this.  A lamentable publication to be sure, but $56.71 for a used coffee mug? 

photos: Andrew Cusack

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Periodicals of Yore: Minotaure

In Art, Periodicals of Yore on June 18, 2009 at 11:53 am

Minotaure was an avant-garde magazine published in France from 1933-1939.  It’s editor-in-chief, André Breton, is widely credited as the founder of Surrealism. Minotaure had high ambitions as it focused on not just the incredible artists of the time, but also writers, poets, anthropologists, and philosophers. Unfortunately, issues are very hard to find—only a few libraries in North America have copies (the magazines were eventually reprinted in book form by a French publishing house however, I have been unable to determine if they are available in their entirety). The rarity of Minotaure is a damn shame as the covers alone should be required viewing for all Art Appreciation courses. Speaking of those covers, TWIRFMR was lucky enough to find great quality images of all twelve. Thank you to The Nonist (a.k.a. Jaime Morrison) for sharing them on his splendid website, nonist.com.

Click image to enlarge:

 

 

 

 

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