During the early 20th century, the magazine industry experienced significant growth, with advertising revenues surging by 500 percent within a decade. This period saw the launch of several influential publications, including Reader's Digest and Time, which quickly became prominent in American media. Other notable magazines like the American Mercury, Smart Set, and The New Yorker also made their debuts in this vibrant era of print media.

Among these, Time magazine emerged as one of the most impactful, shaping public discourse and informing readers about current events. This surge in magazine popularity and advertising reflected broader cultural and economic shifts in America during the 1920s, as documented in Bill Bryson's book, "One Summer: America, 1927."