The New Yorker Magazine Turns 100: Legendary Covers and Cultural Impact

The New Yorker, founded on February 21, 1925, by Harold Ross and Jane Grant with financing from Raoul Fleischmann, celebrates its centenary. The magazine's name was suggested by Broadway press agent John Toohey. Despite initial low sales, a November 1925 article on New York nightlife boosted circulation. Known for its minimal graphic design and focus on content over fashion or gossip, it has published works by Hannah Arendt, J.D. Salinger, James Baldwin, Malcolm Gladwell, and Jill Lepore. Its covers are collectible artworks by illustrators like Saul Steinberg (author of "View of the World from 9th Avenue"), Jean-Jacques Sempé, Charles Addams, Roz Chast, Lorenzo Mattotti, Chris Ware, R. Kikuo Johnson, Art Spiegelman, Barry Blitt, and Bianca Bagnarelli. Art director Françoise Mouly has guided covers since 1993. Rea Irvin designed the logo, typeface, and mascot Eustace Tilley. Peter Steiner's 1993 cartoon "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog" earned over $100,000 in licensing fees.