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| The 50th Anniversary of
Workbench Magazine |
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Issue
#299 - February 2007
It’s a red-letter day here at Workbench. With the publication
of this issue, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Workbench
magazine. In the here-today-gone-tomorrow world of magazines, that’s
certainly a notable achievement — one that never would have
been possible without the enthusiasm, support, and dedication of readers
like yourself. So a sincere thanks for your role in helping us achieve
this historic milestone.
Speaking of history, the first issue of Workbench rolled off the press
in 1957. (The same year Ford introduced |
the Edsel, Sputnik
orbited the earth, and Buddy Holly topped the charts with “That’ll
Be the Day.”) Back then, you could buy a copy of the magazine
for thirty-five cents or get a one-year subscription for two dollars.
The seeds of Workbench were sown right after World War II with a magazine
called Profitable Hobbies. It contained articles ranging from quilting
and raising chinchillas to making jewelry and growing grubs for bait.
By the ’50s, though, it had been renamed Workbench to reflect
a new focus on home improvement.
Well, this new direction struck a chord with homeowners. And during
the next five decades, DIYers came to depend on Workbench for practical
projects they could build using using basic tools, techniques, and
materials.
Okay, so what’s in store for the next 50 years? A fresh new
cover design, for starters. We also plan to include a special 50-year
retrospective in each issue of 2007 (a review of 50 years’ worth
of covers and 50 timeless tips in this issue). And, of course, we’ll
continue to offer simple ideas to improve the value, appearance, and
livability of your home — ideas that, in a nutshell, transform
your house into a home. |
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