Figure 1.--This boy in Saratoga Springs, New York is reading an early copy of 'Life Magazine' in the family living room during the 1930s. His last name was Van Aller. "Life' proved to be one of the most important American magazines in the mid-20th century.

Life Magazine is one of the iconic American periodical publications. It was a weekly news magazine founded in Henry Luce (1936). There was an earlier Life, but the only connection between the two magazines is that Luce wanted the name of the magazine. The first issue of Luce's Life was published on November 23, 1936. The magazine was primarily a vehicle for photojournalism. There were of course arrtiles, but they were illustrated with photographs. In the days before televosion, it used photography to introduce Americans to the visual world including art, dance, fashions, politics, sports, travel, world affairs, and much more. The first issue had articles about Fort Knox (the U.S. gold depository), San Francisco Chinese, and New Deal Depression relief work. It proved to be just what the public wanted. In the days before television, people wanted to see pictures to go with the news they were hearing about over the radio. Life was the first all-photographic American news magazine. It was emensely popular and dominated the market American market for over 40 years. The publication run peaked at 13.5 million copies a week. President Harry S. Truman, Sir Winston Churchill and General Douglas MacArthur serialized their memoirs in Life. Some of the most famous phiotographs of the 20th century appeared in Life, including the Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suibachi and the sailor kissing the girl on VJ Day. Life was published weekly until until (1972). Interest began to decline as Americans could now see the news on tekevisdion. Special appeared intermittent until (1978). The magazine was revived as a monthly (1978-2000). Even after regular publication ended, photo issues on special themes continue to appear.

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Created: 2:21 AM 12/26/2010
Last updated: 2:21 AM 12/26/2010