Mad Magazine announced they will cease producing new content after 67 years. In 1974, the magazine’s peak circulation was 2,132,644. 485 MADison Avenue was MAD’s headquarters for decades. But in the magazine’s heyday, one envelope that contained a picture of Alfred E. Neuman was successfully delivered to the right address.
1) Alfred E Neuman was named after singer Randy Newman’s uncle?
2) Alfred E. Neuman had a girlfriend?
3) The only advertisements in the magazine were on the inside of the back cover?
4) Don Martin, the artist behind the crazy sound effects you’d see like Plortch and Shtoink, hated having his photo taken and none exist today?
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1) Fact…founder Harvy Kurtzman saw his name on a musical score from a movie that Alfred Neman did. He thought it represented a name that you’d forget in 5 minutes, kind of like the character they drew. They changed the spelling of his last name and added the E so they wouldn’t get sued.
2) Fact…her name was Moxie Cowznofski. She made a handful of cover appearances in the 50’s.
3) Fake…from April, 1957 to February of 2001, there were no real ads…only fake ones.
4) Fake…he had a thing for hanging out at the beach by his Miami home and walking into people’s photos, leaving them wondering when they were developed who the unknown man was. By the way, his license plate was Shtoink.
