the Popular Magazine in Britain and America, 1880 1960

The period from the end of the 19th century to 1960 was one of significant change and development in the popular magazine industry. The growth of an interlocking railway system in the earlier part of the 19th century had presented new distribution opportunities for magazine publishers, who quickly exploited them. Later in the century, the introduction of cheaper paper and smoother print surfaces enabled the development of half-tone printing. Other factors, such as the introduction of rotary presses and mechanical typesetting, also had a significant impact on costs and speed of production.;In this study, the author analyzes in detail all aspects of these changes, including technological changes in the printing industry; the business aspects of publishing, and its relationship with advertisers and advertising; and how editorial profiles and the content of magazines changed over the years.