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Popular Science

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Popular Science (also known as PopSci) is an American popular science website, covering science and technology topics geared toward general readers. Its print magazine, which ran from 1872 to 2020, was translated into over 30 languages and distributed to at least 45 countries.[2] In 2021, Popular Science switched to an all-digital format and abandoned the magazine format in 2023.[3][4]

Popular Science
General ManagerAdam Morath
CategoriesInterdisciplinary
FrequencyFully digital
Total circulation1,321,075[1] (June 2014)
FoundedMay 1872; 154 years ago (1872-05) (as The Popular Science Monthly)
Final issueApril 27, 2021 (print)
CompanyRecurrent Ventures
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York, New York
Websitepopsci.com
ISSN0161-7370
OCLC488612811

Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the American Society of Magazine Editors awards for its journalistic excellence in 2003 (for General Excellence), 2004 (for Best Magazine Section), and 2019 (for Single-Topic Issue).

Magazine history

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The Popular Science Monthly, as the publication was originally called, was founded in May 1872[5] by Edward L. Youmans and published by D. Appleton & Company to disseminate scientific knowledge to the educated layman. Youmans had previously worked as an editor for the weekly Appleton's Journal and persuaded them to publish his new journal.[6][7]

Early issues were mostly reprints of English periodicals. The journal became an outlet for writings and ideas of Charles Darwin, Thomas Henry Huxley, Louis Pasteur, Henry Ward Beecher, Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, Thomas Edison, John Dewey, John Shaw Billings, and James McKeen Cattell.[6][7]

William Jay Youmans, Edward's brother, who helped found the magazine, served as an editor as well. He became editor-in-chief on Edward's death in 1887.[7][8]

In 1900, D. Appleton & Company was forced to sell the journal for economic reasons to James McKeen Cattell.[6][7] Cattell, who served as editor and publisher, had a background in academics and continued publishing articles for educated readers.[9]

Modern Publishing Company

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By 1915, the readership was declining and publishing a science journal was a financial challenge. In a September 1915 editorial, Cattell related these difficulties to his readers and announced that the Popular Science Monthly name had been transferred to the Modern Publishing Company to start a new publication for general audiences. The existing academic journal would continue publishing under the name The Scientific Monthly, retaining existing subscribers.[6] Scientific Monthly was published until 1958 when it was absorbed into Science.[10]

After acquiring the Electrician and Mechanic magazine in 1914, the Modern Publishing Company had merged it with Modern Electrics to become Modern Electrics & Mechanics. In 1915, the publication was merged with Popular Electricity and World's Advance to form Popular Electricity and Modern Mechanics.[11] After further name changes that caused confusion among librarians, the Modern Publishing Company had purchased the Popular Science Monthly name to provide a clear signifier of the publication's focus on popular science.[12]

September 1920 volume

The October 1915 issue was titled Popular Science Monthly and World's Advance. The volume number (Vol. 87, No. 4) was that of Popular Science but the content was that of World's Advance. The new editor was Waldemar Kaempffert, a former editor of Scientific American.[13][14]

The change in Popular Science Monthly was dramatic. The old version was a scholarly journal that had eight to ten articles in a 100-page issue. There would be ten to twenty photographs or illustrations. The new version had hundreds of short, easy to read articles with hundreds of illustrations. Editor Kaempffert was writing for "the home craftsman and hobbyist who wanted to know something about the world of science." The circulation doubled in the first year.[7]

From the 1920s until 1970 the magazine featured fictional stories of Gus Wilson's Model Garage, centered on car problems.[15][16]

An annual review of changes to the new model year cars ran in 1940 and 1941, but did not return after the war until 1954. It continued until the mid-1970s when the magazine reverted to publishing the new models over multiple issues as information became available.

From July 1952 to December 1989, Popular Science carried Roy Doty's Wordless Workshop as a regular feature.[17]

Times Mirror

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The Popular Science Publishing Company was acquired in 1967 by the Los Angeles–based Times Mirror Company.[18]

From July 1969 to May 1989, the cover and table of contents carried the subtitle, "The What's New Magazine."[19] The cover removed the subtitle the following month and the contents page removed it in February 1990. In 1983, the magazine introduced a new logo using the ITC Avant Garde font, which it used until late 1995. Within the next 11 years, its font changed four times (in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2002, respectively).

In 1999, Popular Science launched its popsci.com website.[19]

Tribune, Time, and Bonnier

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In 2000, Times Mirror merged with the Chicago-based Tribune Company.[20] Times Mirror Magazines, including Popular Science, was then sold to Time Inc. (then a subsidiary of Time Warner).[21][22]

On January 25, 2007, Time Warner sold the publication, along with 17 other parenting and special interest magazines to Bonnier Magazine Group.[23]

In July 2007, Popular Science launched the Popular Science Predictions EXchange (PPX). People were able to place virtual bets on what the next innovations in technology, the environment, and science would be. Bets have included whether Facebook would have an initial public offering by 2008, when a touchscreen iPod would be launched, and whether Dongtan, China's eco-city, would be inhabited by 2010. The PPX shut down in 2009.

In 2009, the magazine used a new font for its logo, which was used until the January 2014 issue.

In early 2010, Bonnier partnered with London-based design firm BERG to create Mag+, a magazine publishing platform for tablets. In April 2010, Popular Science+,[24][25] the first title on the Mag+ platform, launched in the iTunes Store the same day the iPad launched.[26] The app contains all the content in the print version as well as added content and digital-only extras. Bonnier has since launched several more titles on the Mag+ platform, including Popular Photography+ and Transworld Snowboarding+.

On March 27, 2011, Popular Science magazine sold the 10,000th subscription to its iPad edition, nearly six weeks after accepting Apple's terms for selling subs on its tablet.[27]

In 2014, the magazine underwent a major redesign; its February 2014 issue introduced a new logo, and a new format featuring greater use of graphics and imagery, aiming to broaden its content to appeal to wider attention to the environment, science, and technology among a mass audience. The revamp concluded in November 2014 with a redesign of the Popular Science website.[28][29]

In January 2016, Popular Science switched to bi-monthly publication after 144 years of monthly publication.[30]

In April 2016 it was announced that editor-in-chief Cliff Ransom would be leaving the magazine.[31] In August 2016, Joe Brown was named Popular Science's new editor-in-chief.[32][33] Under his tenure, the magazine would become a quarterly publication starting in September 2018.[34] It also diversified its readership base,[35] was nominated for several National Magazine Awards, winning for The Tiny Issue in 2019, and named to AdWeek's Hot List in 2019.[36] Brown stepped down in February 2020 and was replaced by executive editor Corinne Iozzio in March.[37]

In 2021, the brand eliminated its print edition and became a digital-only publication.[38] The digital edition became a quarterly release the following year before being discontinued in April 2023.[39]

In May 2022, Popular Science celebrated its 150-year anniversary.[40][39] It also won a 2022 National Magazine Award for its "Heat" issue, which took an in-depth look at the stark realities and ingenuity of a warming world.[41]

Recurrent Ventures

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On October 6, 2020, the Bonnier Group sold Popular Science and six other special interest magazines, including the well-known titles Popular Photography, Outdoor Life, and Field & Stream, to North Equity LLC.[42] In June 2021, North Equity introduced Recurrent Ventures as the new parent company to its digital media portfolio.[43]

From April 27, 2021, the Popular Science publication was changed to a fully digital format and is no longer in physical print.[44] Its digital subscription offering, PopSci+[45] is inclusive of exclusive digital content and the magazine.

In January 2023, Annie Colbert was named the new editor-in-chief. She joined the brand after spending more than 10 years at Mashable.[46] That November, Recurrent Ventures laid off 13 staffers at the publication, leaving only five editorial employees on the brand.[47]

Ziff Davis

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In May 2026, Popular Science was acquired by Ziff Davis. Dwell, Domino, and Business of Home were also included in the deal.[48]

Media

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Television & film

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From 1935 to 1949, the magazine sponsored a series of short films, produced by Jerry Fairbanks and released by Paramount Pictures.

Popular Science's Future Of...[49] premiered on August 10, 2009, on the Science Channel. The show was concerned with the future of technology and science in a particular topic area that varies from week to week. As of December 2009, a new episode was premiering every Monday.[50]

Radio

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Popular Science Radio was a partnership between Popular Science and Entertainment Radio Network which ran through 2016.[51]

Books

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Popular Science has published a number of books, including the bestselling Big Book of Hacks[52] and Big Book of Maker Skills.[53]

The brand has also published The Total Inventor's Manual[54] and The Future Then,[55] which was published in conjunction with the brand's 145th anniversary.

Podcasts

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In 2018, Popular Science launched two podcasts, Last Week in Tech and The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week,[56] Last Week in Tech was later replaced by Techathlon.[57][58]

Weirdest Thing proved to be the brand's breakout hit. After just one episode, Apple Podcasts included "Weirdest Thing" on their weekly "New & Noteworthy" list, and over the years it has hosted a number of live events.

In March 2021, the company launched its Ask Us Anything podcast. It's billed as a twice-weekly series that provides science-backed answers to questions.[38]

International

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On September 24, 2008, Australian publishing company Australian Media Properties (part of the WW Media Group) launched a local version of Popular Science. It is a monthly magazine, like its American counterpart, and uses content from the American version of the magazine as well as local material.[59] Australian Media Properties also launched www.popsci.com.au at the same time, a localised version of the Popular Science website.

In June 2014, Popular Science Italia was launched in Italy by Kekoa Publishing. Directed by Francesco Maria Avitto, the magazine is available in print and digital version.[60]

In April 2017, Popular Science was launched in Arabic by United Arab Emirates-based publisher Haykal Media. The magazine is available in print bimonthly, and through a daily updated portal.[61]

Publishers

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Companies publishing Popular Science, by time period
Dates Publisher
1872–1900 D. Appleton & Company
1900–1901 McClure, Philips and Company
1901–1915 Science Press
1915–1924 Modern Publishing Company
1924–1967 Popular Science Publishing Company
1967–1973 Popular Science Publishing Company, subsidiary of Times Mirror
1973–2000 Times Mirror Company
2000–2007 Time Inc.
2007–2020 Bonnier Magazine Group
2020−present North Equity

Sources: American Mass-Market Magazines[7] The Wall Street Journal[62] and New York Post.[63] [64]

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "eCirc for Consumer Magazines". Alliance for Audited Media. December 31, 2012. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ Lewenstein, Bruce V. (1987). "Was There Really a Popular Science 'Boom'?". Science, Technology, & Human Values. 12 (2): 29–41. doi:10.1177/016224398701200204. hdl:1813/13731. S2CID 141385150.
  3. ↑ Roth, Emma (November 27, 2023). "After 151 years, Popular Science will no longer offer a magazine". The Verge. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ Levenson, Michael (November 28, 2023). "Popular Science Shuts Online Magazine in Another Sign of Decline". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Top 100 U.S. Magazines by Circulation" (PDF). PSA Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 15, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cattell, James McKeen (September 1915). "The Scientific Monthly and the Popular Science Monthly". Popular Science Monthly. Vol. 87, no. 3. pp. 307–310.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nourie, Alan (1990). American Mass Market Magazines. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 385–399. ISBN 978-0-313-25254-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Youmans, William Jay" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
  9. ↑ Biographical Memoir of James McKee Cattell (PDF). National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Biographical Memoirs vol. XXV. 1947. p. 4 – via Nasonline.org.
  10. ↑ "AAAS and the Maturing of American Science: 1941–1970". American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  11. ↑ Ashley, Mike (2000). The Time Machines: The Story of the Science Fiction Pulp Magazines. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. p. 30.
  12. ↑ Faxon, Frederick W (January 1916). "Editorial Comment: Magazine Notes". Bulletin of Bibliography and Dramatic Index. 9 (1): 2.
  13. ↑ "September's Harvest of Important Books". The New York Times. August 29, 1915. p. BR312. "The Popular Science Monthly has been bought by the Modern Publishing Company of New York City…"
  14. ↑ Walter, Frank Keller (1918). Periodicals for the Small Library (2nd ed.). American Library Association. p. 24. The new Popular Science Monthly is continued from World's Advance, old version in now Scientific Monthly.
  15. ↑ "Useful Ideas for Mororists". Popular Science Monthly. April 1926. Retrieved June 8, 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  16. ↑ "December 1970". gus-stories.org. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ Frauenfelder, Mark (September 10, 2020). "This family lived together for 62 years without speaking". The Magnet. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  18. ↑ International Directory of Company Histories vol. 17. Detroit, Michigan: St. James Press. 1997. p. 485 – via Internet Archive.
  19. 1 2 "About Us". Popular Science. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  20. ↑ Shaw, David; Hofmeister, Sallie (March 13, 2000). "Times Mirror Agrees to Merger With Tribune Co". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ Rose, Matthew; Deogun, Nikhil (October 20, 2000). "Time Warner to Pay $475 Million To Buy Times Mirror Magazines - WSJ". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  22. ↑ Billings, Claire (October 20, 2000). "Time buys Times Mirror Magazines in the US". Campaign. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Bonnier Magazine Group Buys 18 Magazines from Time Inc". TimeWarner. January 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Popular Science+ in iTunes". iTunes. February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  25. ↑ Lynda Applegate; et al. (November 30, 2012). "Bonnier: Digitalizing the Media Business" (PDF). Harvard Business School. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  26. ↑ Fell, Jason (April 7, 2010). "How Popular Science Built Its App in 62 Days". Foliomag. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  27. ↑ Nat Ives, adage.
  28. ↑ "Folio January/February 2014 – With Redesign, Popular Science Tweaks Its 140-Year-Old Formula". read.nxtbook.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  29. ↑ Mosher, Dave (November 24, 2014). "Welcome To The New Popular Science". Popular Science. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  30. ↑ Ransom, Cliff (December 17, 2015). "Big Changes at Popular Science". Popular Science. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Cliff Ransom Steps Down at Popular Science". Cision. April 22, 2016. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016.
  32. ↑ Guaglione, Sara (August 16, 2016). "Brown Named EIC Of 'Popular Science,' Plans To Revamp". www.mediapost.com. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  33. ↑ Kafka, Peter (August 15, 2016). "Wired Executive Editor Joe Brown is going to run Popular Science". Vox. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ Faisal Kalim (August 13, 2019). ""Magazines are alive and well": Publishers refresh their strategies for the print format". WNIP. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  35. ↑ Moses, Lucia (June 21, 2018). "How Popular Science is shedding its male-geek image". Digiday. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  36. ↑ "These Print And Digital Publishers Are Redefining What It Means to Be a Media Brand in 2018". Adweek. October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Corinne Iozzio Named Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science". Bonnier (Press release). March 10, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  38. 1 2 Iozzio, Corinne (April 27, 2021). "Welcome to the new digital edition of Popular Science". Popular Science. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  39. 1 2 Imbler, Sabrina (November 30, 2023). "Popular Science Ends And Science Journalism Keeps Shrinking". Defector. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  40. ↑ "150 years of Popular Science". Popular Science. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Popular Science Wins 2022 ASME for Best Single-Topic Issue". Recurrent (Press release). April 11, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  42. ↑ Alpert, Lukas I. (October 6, 2020). "Bonnier Corp to Sell Its Biggest U.S. Magazines to Venture Equity Group". Wall Street Journal.
  43. ↑ Hebert, Cathy (June 15, 2021). "Recurrent Ventures Named the New Parent Company of Popular Science, The Drive, Domino, Field & Stream, and Other Brands". Recurrent (Press release). Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  44. ↑ Iozzio, Corinne (April 27, 2021). "Welcome to the new digital edition of Popular Science". PopSci+.
  45. ↑ "About PopSci+ | Popular Science's Premium Content Membership". Popular Science. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  46. ↑ Hebert, Cathy (January 19, 2023). "Recurrent Names Annie Colbert Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science" (Press release). Recurrent.
  47. ↑ Flynn, Kerry; Fischer, Sara (November 13, 2023). "Layoffs hit Recurrent Ventures following CEO shakeup". Axios. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  48. ↑ Stenberg, Mark (May 6, 2026). "Ziff Davis Buys 4 Recurrent Ventures Brands, Opens New Group". AdWeek. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  49. ↑ "PopSci's "Future Of" on The Science Channel". Popular Science. August 24, 2009. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  50. ↑ "PopSci's Future of". Science Channel. January 23, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  51. ↑ "Popular Science Radio".
  52. ↑ Cantor, Doug (October 23, 2012). The Big Book of Hacks: 264 Amazing DIY Tech Projects (Original ed.). San Francisco: Weldon Owen. ISBN 978-1-61628-399-5.
  53. ↑ Hackett, Chris (November 4, 2014). The Big Book of Maker Skills (Popular Science): Tools & Techniques for Building Great Tech Projects (Illustrated ed.). Weldon Owen. ISBN 978-1-61628-890-7.
  54. ↑ Ragan, Sean Michael (January 10, 2017). The Total Inventors Manual (Popular Science): Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product. Weldon Owen. ISBN 978-1-68188-158-4.
  55. ↑ The Future Then: Fascinating Art & Predictions from 145 Years of Popular Science (Illustrated ed.). Weldon Owen. July 10, 2018. ISBN 978-1-68188-299-4.
  56. ↑ "The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. September 27, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Popular Science Podcasts".
  58. ↑ Silber, Tony. "With A New Podcast, Popular Science Looks To Stand Out From The Monotony Of Tech Media". Forbes. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  59. ↑ Broughall, Nick (September 24, 2008). "Popular Science Launches In Australia". Archived from the original on September 29, 2008.
  60. ↑ "Popular Science. Sbarca in Italia il mensile di scienza e tecnologia più antico e diffuso al Mondo – Quotidiano Sanità".
  61. ↑ "Dubai Future Foundation April 2017".
  62. ↑ Rose, Matthew; Nikhil Deogun (October 20, 2000). "Time Warner to Pay $475 Million To Buy Times Mirror Magazines". The Wall Street Journal.
  63. ↑ Kelly, Keith J. (January 25, 2007). "Time Warner Sells Mags Under $300m". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008.
  64. ↑ Kelly, Keith J. (October 6, 2020). "Bonnier Corp. Sells Popular Science, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life". New York Post.
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