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 Cover of the December 2024 issue | |
| Categories | History,science,arts,nature |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Total circulation (June 2016) | 1,840,077[1] |
| First issue | April 1970; 55 years ago (1970-04) |
| Company | Smithsonian Institution |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Language | English |
| Website | smithsonianmag |
| ISSN | 0037-7333 |
| OCLC | 1359769 |
Smithsonian is a magazine covering science, history, art, popular culture and innovation.[2] The first issue was published in 1970.[3]
The history ofSmithsonian began whenEdward K. Thompson, the retired editor ofLife magazine, was asked by then-Secretary of the Smithsonian,S. Dillon Ripley, to produce a magazine "about things in which the Smithsonian [Institution] is interested, might be interested or ought to be interested."[4]
Thompson later recalled that his philosophy for the new magazine was that it "would stir curiosity in already receptive minds. It would deal with history as it is relevant to the present. It would present art, since true art is never dated, in the richest possible reproduction. It would peer into the future via coverage of social progress and of science and technology. Technical matters would be digested and made intelligible by skilled writers who would stimulate readers to reach upward while not turning them off with jargon. We would find the best writers and the best photographers—not unlike the best of the oldLife."[4]
In 1973, the magazine turned a profit for the first time. By 1974, circulation had nearly quadrupled, to 635,000, and it reached the one million milestone in 1975—one of the most successful launches of its time. In 1980, Thompson was replaced by Don Moser, who had also worked atLife, and circulation reached upwards of two million, in turn, byCarey Winfrey upon his retirement in 2001.Michael Caruso succeeded Carey Winfrey in 2011, and served as editor-in-chief until 2019.[5] Since that time Debra Rosenberg and Terence Monmaney have been editors.[6]
From 2012 until 2019, the magazine sponsored the American Ingenuity Awards, a recognition of innovation in the arts, sciences and technology. Winners have includedBryan Stevenson,Elon Musk,Lin-Manuel Miranda,OK Go,John Krasinski,Dave Eggers,Aziz Ansari,Rosanne Cash,Jeff Bezos,Fred Armisen,Bill Hader andDavid Lynch.
Presenters have includedStephen Hawking (twice),Stephen Colbert,David Byrne,Herbie Hancock,Erin Brockovich,Ruben Blades,Bill Nye,Art Spiegelman, and SenatorAl Franken. The American Ingenuity Award was created by the artistJeff Koons.[7]
Smithsonian arrangedMuseum Day, alternativelySmithsonian Day, when museums in all 50 U.S. states offered limited free admission. In 2018, over 1,400 museums participated.[8][9][10]
The offer included a free admission for the ticket holder plus one guest and this ticket was specific to the chosen museum only.[11] The intention was for one ticket per person in contrast to theInternational Museum Day, when participating museums generally offer entirely free admission throughout the day.
In 2023 and 2024, the event was cancelled with no further explanation.[12][13] As of 2025[update] the web landing page redirects to the home page of the museum.
Notable past and current contributors toSmithsonian have included: