It was 20 years ago today. . .

Twenty years ago today, I started at Kalmbach Publishing, working for Classic Toy Trains and Collecting Toys (now defunct) magazines. It seems surreal that I've been with KPC this long, and yet, feels like almost no time at all. Instead of boring you with a long ramble, I chose five things I've learned in my years here. I hope you enjoy.

5. Publishing has changed, (and will continue to change). When I started at KPC there was a room full of people who cut the films and lined up the pieces for each magazine page. Most images were black and white, and only part of the magazine was printed in color due to the extra cost. Large, heavy piles of film were shipped to the printer for each issue.

I remember how big of a deal it was for KPC’s magazines to get their own websites. Astronomy magazine was the first KPC title to have a website (in September 1995), and the buzz was that other magazines would soon have websites too. I used the Wayback Machine and found the earliest capture for Kalmbach’s corporate website (January 1997). The main page had sound clips of former president Walt Mundshcau. Sound clips like that were "innovative" at the time.

Today, we submit files to the printer digitally,  make both print and digital versions of our magazines, produce videos and DVDs, downloadable PDF packages, and so much more. (The room where the film was cut is now a video studio.) I look forward to seeing what other changes will come in the next 20 years!

4. The calendar takes on new meaning. Christmas in July really does happen at KPC. I’ve decorated Christmas trees in July for photo shoots, and collected holiday events in August. In early December we are working on March and April issues.

3. Seeing a freshly-printed magazine is still a thrill. I discovered publishing in college, when an acquaintance suggested I write something for the college newspaper. I went to a staff meeting and was hooked. Nothing beat seeing that fresh newspaper and carrying the bundles around campus to distribute them. People were going to read what I’d worked on!

Just a few weeks ago, I smelled the fresh ink of a new issue, and still got that same thrill. In a world of “instant gratification,” it is worth the wait for a new issue to arrive from the printer.

2. Hobbyists share information. I wrote a guest editorial for Garden Railways about this a couple of years ago. Model-train people want others to enjoy the hobby and will share just about anything—from information to used pieces of track. We get letters and phone calls with readers wanting to share a tip of expand upon an idea in an article. It is heartwarming.

1. Hobbies are important. I’ve had hobbies most of my life (see my blog post “Do you have a hobby?”) but never considered their importance until working at KPC. Hobbies provide stress relief, creative outlet, create friendships, and so much more. You’re never too young (or too old) to start a hobby!