The New York Times, Scientific American, Cat Fancy. These and other publications have reflected the times in which they thrived, providing a snapshot of our nation's evolution at a critical juncture. But no magazine can claim to have changed the way generations of Americans live, breathe and think.
Except MAD Magazine.
Yes, America's longest-running humor magazine, besides Time, has not been content to merely notice the snags in society's fabric after the fact. No, no no. The sociological dynamo that is MAD has always been at the forefront of change and innovation and even more change. MAD has affected our culture and history in such an all-encompassing and fundamental way that it is sometimes easy to overlook our awesome influence. This special section will correct that unfortunate oversight.
It is virtually impossible to think of any important trend or moment in our country's past 50 years that did not originate in our pages. And on the glorious occasion of MAD's 400th issue, it seems apropos (and if not apropos, then at least appropriate) to revisit the grand history of the men, women and pre-op transsexuals who made it all happen.
