Research: The History of magazines: early magazines

History of magazines:

In 1663 the world's first magazine published was in Germany and it was called Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredungen. It lasted from 1663 to 1668.

In Britain the oldest consumer magazine still is print is The Scots Magazine which was first published in 1739, though multiple changes in ownership and gaps in publication. The magazine is on subjects of Scottish interest and is published monthly. Although, publication continued until 1826; at which point sales had declined to such a point that it was withdrawn. However, in December 1887 publication resumed as a partial successor to The Scottish Church under a new owner and continued until 1893 when once again it was withdrawn. It was published between 1922 and 1924 as The Scottish Church. In 1924 publication as The Scots Magazine resumed, this time by the St Andrew's Society. 

The First Scots Magazine

The Scots Magazine Today

Magazines targeting women:

The first magazine that was specifically designed just for women was called The Ladies Mercury that came out in 1693 and published in London. This was founded by John Dunton and was published for 4 weeks by The Atheian Society. The Ladies Mercury was about them responding to questions about love, marriage, behaviour, dress and humour. It was printed both sides on a single sheet of paper. 

Also, magazines targeted women a lot in 1920s as new magazines appealed to young women with a sensuous image and advertisements for appropriate clothes and accessories they would want to purchase. Also, the some women magazines showed that women should be in charge of men.

 

Magazines targeting men:

Men's magazines have existed for centuries but it was hard as it depended on the terms magazine and journal was defined back then. In 1731 The Gentleman's Magazine was published in England by Edward Cave and was often considered the first modern magazine. It ran for almost 200 years until 1922. Cave's wanted to create the magazine as a monthly digest of news and commentary on any topic the educated public might be interested. Cave, who edited The Gentlemen's Magazine was the first to use the name magazine.