TEXT 7
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED PERIODICAL
The general popularity of periodicals and the existing favourable conditions for their development in the 19th century made it possible to found more narrowly specialized magazines. Sport, which developed in parallel with photography became one of the pursuits drawing great public interest. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. Two years earlier, the magazine Sport in Bild was founded in Berlin, and it contributed greatly to systematic presentation of scenes from various competitions and gymnastic events. This specialization needed photographers capable of recognizing the right moment for taking a photo when the situation was most exciting.
Besides several sports magazines, such, as the French Le Sport Universel Illustre, sport supplements of many periodicals and newspapers became increasingly important. The attractiveness of sports events for the broad public was realized soon by many press magnates.
The present «literature of the fact» is based partly on books of travel, popularity of which rose steadily. Publishers of illustrated weeklies, and other farsighted individuals, realized it, and the former included travel stories and pictures in their periodicals, while some of the latter founded new specialized magazines. The renowned National Geographic Magazine, still one of the most popular monthlies in the world, was founded already in the 19th century. This kind of a periodical contributed greatly to the development of press photography.
Among the specialized periodicals founded during the 1880s, also magazines devoted to fashion are worth mentioning. They generally drew on a certain tradition of fashion supplements which had been appearing for several years. Many of the fashion magazines founded during that period still exist; Vogue is an example. Its first issue appeared on December 7, 1892.
Due to its popularity, an independent British edition started appearing in 1916. Paris was undoubtedly the centre of fashion at the close of the 19th century, and it was only logical that fashion magazines appeared also in France.
On the whole, it can be said that from the end of the 1880s to the end of the First WorldWat, the range of illustrated magazines both for the general or specialized public extended substantially, as many new periodicals were added to the established weeklies and monthlies.
EXERCISES
Ex. 1. Translate the sentences with infinitive constructions.
1. It is not difficult for sports fans to find sports publications. 2. We think him to be a good journalist. 3. I should like the student to learn the practical principles of book editing. 4. He seems to be satisfied with the results of his work.
Ex. 2. Use the proper form of Conditional.
1. Не would bring you this magazine if you (to ask) him.
2. Everybody would have understood him if he (to speak) English.
3. You could have bought a ticket if you (to come) to the station earlier.
4. If it not (to be) so late I'll phone him.
Ex. 3. Use the proper tense.
1. While I (to read) the article I learned that the BBC radio provided a nation-wide broadcasting in Britain. 2. A number of periodicals (to publish) in foreign languages. 3. The editor said that the newspaper (to carry) that information in the previous issue. 4. Readers' letters (to be) a valuable source of information about life, about people's interests and needs. 5. Where is Ann? She (to interview) a famous writer. 6. A small group of journalists (to carry out) the collection of news for their weekly next month.
Ex. 4. Answer the questions on the text.
1. What contributed greatly to the development of specialized magazines?
2. When was the magazine Sport in Bild founded?
3. Did many press magnates realize the attractiveness of sports events for the broad public?
4. When did the first issue of the fashion magazine Vogue appear?
5. Did the range of illustrated magazines both for the general or specialized public extend in the 1880s?
Ex. 5. Make a short summary of the text.