Life

Life

The first "Life Magazine" was a weekly humor publication put out by the Life Publishing Company of Manhattan, New York City. It was known for its energetic cartoons, pin up girl art, humorous pieces, and reviews of theater and cinema. The magazine was a forerunner of The New Yorker, with its use of cartoons, poetry, gags, similar cover artists, cultural listing roundups, and high-society élan .

This edition of Life fell victim to the Great Depression, and ceased publication in the early 1930s. The name was then purchased by Henry Luce for use on his Time, Inc. magazine.

In 1936, Henry Luce reinvented Life as a photojournalism magazine. The publication was a mammoth success. The first issue was dated November 23, with a cover depicting the Fort Peck Dam in Montana photographed by Margaret Bourke-White. Luce pulled a stringer for TIME, Edward K. Thompson, to become assistant picture editor in 1937. From 1949–1961 he was the managing editor and editor in chief, until his retirement in 1970. His influence was significant during the magazine's heyday - roughly from its launch until the early 1960s. LIFE was the most influential and popular magazine in America, with tens of millions of subscribers and readers. Its impact on American public opinion, especially among the exploding suburban middle class in the U.S, was almost incalculable.

Thompson was known for the free reign he gave his editors. Life's original mission was "to see Life; see the world." The magazine has published some of the most iconic images of events in the United States and the world. Scores of talented photographers were employed to take the most original and unique views on the world. Life also produced many excellent science serials such as "The World We Live In" and "The Epic of Man".

Life was published weekly until dwindling circulations for magazines as a whole, coupled with rising advertising rates, caused the magazine to print its final weekly issue on December 29, 1972, (its annual "The Year in Pictures" edition.



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