Today in 1845, the first issue of Scientific American is published by Rufus Porter as a weekly broadsheet subtitled "The Advocate of Industry and Enterprise, and Journal of Mechanical and Other Improvements."
The oldest continuously published magazine in the United States, Scientific American founded the first branch of the U.S. Patent Agency, in 1850, to provide technical help and legal advice to inventors. A Washington, D.C., branch was added in 1859. By 1900 more than 100,000 inventions had been patented thanks to Scientific American.
Porter wanted the magazine to reflect his own diverse interests as he fancied himself a painter, a poet, a dance instructor and an inventor. He was versed in all these areas and became well-known for his style of mural painting. To focus on his true love—inventing—Porter sold the publication for after 10 months for $800 and went on to invent a long list of useful everyday items.
Attraction is a curious power,
That none can understand:
Its influence is everywhere--
In water, air and land.
It operates on every thing--
The sea, the tides, the weather;
And sometimes draws the sexes up,
And binds them fast together.
--Rufus Porter