Skip to content

Magazines were new. The Gentleman’s Magazine—the first…

“Magazines were new. The Gentleman’s Magazine—the first periodical called a “magazine”—appeared in London in 1731. It offered “a Monthly Collection, to treasure up, as in a Magazine, the most remarkable Pieces.”3 The metaphor is to weapons. A magazine is, literally, an arsenal; a piece is a firearm.” quote by Jill Lepore
Download Open image
““Magazines were new. The Gentleman’s Magazine—the first periodical called a “magazine”—appeared in London in 1731. It offered “a Monthly Collection, to treasure up, as in a Magazine, the most remarkable Pieces.”3 The metaphor is to weapons. A magazine is, literally, an arsenal; a piece is a firearm.””

Jill Lepore

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Early magazines were likened to weapons, framing them as arsenals of ideas that could influence society.

In simple terms: Magazines were described as weapons of ideas.

Key Takeaway

Recognize media’s power to shape thought.

Themes

media influence history communication

Mood

analytical critical

Type

historical media studies

When to use this quote

  • political campaigning
  • advertising
  • educational publishing
  • social media strategy

Key Concepts

metaphor information warfare public discourse

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does framing ideas as weapons affect perception?
  • Can media be both constructive and destructive?
A Different Perspective

Comparing media to weapons can oversimplify nuanced communication.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jill Lepore

Explore all 105 Jill Lepore quotes

More Magazines quotes

Browse all 1,756 Magazines quotes