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Help
Where do I start?
Click around. Each small red number marks an important year in Kalmbach Publishing Co.’s history. Click on a red number, and a summary of that year’s noteworthy events pops up. Some events offer a “Read more” link. Click it, and you’ll find additional information about that particular event, such as a product description, an image, or a Web link related to that subject. The page doesn’t look right. Something must be broken. No problem. We’ve created a plain HTML version of the timeline that has all the same information. Click here to access the text-only timeline.   Al Kalmbach (left) and two associates, John Erdmann (center) and Howard Little, are ready to mail the first copies of The Model Railroader on December 15, 1933.  Sections of Model Railroader—hot off the press—roll down the line be to collated in this 1945 view of the bindery.  In this mid-1950s photo, Al Kalmbach (left) and two associates inspect the company’s large Goss printing press.  Art staff in dress shirts and ties worked at large drawing tables in this mid-1960s view of Kalmbach’s Art Department.  Kalmbach occupied this 8-story building at 1027 N. Seventh Street in downtown Milwaukee from 1943 to 1989.  The company in 1989 moved into this gleaming new headquarters in the Town of Brookfield’s Crossroads Corporate Center office park.  Kalmbach introduced its first Internet site—astronomy.com—in 1996, and today maintains more than 25 separate Web sites for its publications and services.  Keith Bauer of Kalmbach's video studio tapes a how-to session with Bead&Button Associate Editor Anna Draeger. 
 1922 At the age of 12, Albert Carpenter Kalmbach buys small printing press to start a neighborhood newspaper, The Milwaukee Sun.
1933Al starts printing and publishing company A. C. Kalmbach and Co., located at 545 South 84th Street, Milwaukee.
1934In January, Al walks 272 copies of Model Railroader’s first issue to the post office. By July, Model Railroader’s paid circulation surpasses 1,000. Read more »
 The Model Railroader, January 1934 Launched: 1934 Founding editor: Al Kalmbach Model Railroader is the leading publication in the hobby of scale model railroading. The magazine teaches enthusiasts new and old how to design, build, scenic, operate, improve, and enjoy their train layouts. Web site: www.ModelRailroader.com
1936Kalmbach moves to 7611 West State Street in Milwaukee
1940Al launches Trains magazine, 5,178 copies sold Read more » The company moves to 1568 West Pierce Street in Milwaukee
 Trains, November 1940 Launched: 1940 Founding editor: Al Kalmbach Trains is the most popular railroad periodical in the world. It covers contemporary topics, historical features, as well as issues and trends in railroading and the railroad hobby. Trains is truly a magazine for both professionals who love the industry and enthusiasts with a serious appreciation. Web site: www.TrainsMag.com
1943The company moves to 1027 North 7th Street in Milwaukee
1950Model Railroader circulation surpasses 100,000
1951Kalmbach launches Ships & Sailing, 1951–1959 Read more »
 Ships & Sailing, January 1951 Launched: 1951 Ships and Sailing was similar to Trains because it covered ships, passenger and cargo service, maritime history, and operations.
1953Kalmbach sales exceed $1 million
1958Kalmbach celebrates its 25th anniversary
1960Kalmbach launches Better Camping, 1960–1970 Read more »
 Better Camping, March/April 1960
Launched: 1960 Better Camping covered camping equipment, tents, destinations, outdoor cooking, and anything else related to camping. 
1971Kalmbach establishes Books Department
1982Kalmbach launches FineScale Modeler, 1982–present Read more »
 FineScale Modeler, Spring 1982 Launched: 1982 Founding editor: Bob Hayden FineScale Modeler is the world’s leading magazine devoted to the hobby of scale modeling. The magazine offers articles and projects on models of aircraft, armored vehicles, ships, figures, cars, and space vehicles. Each issue strives to help readers enjoy their hobby more through stories that help build better modeling skills. Web site: www.FineScale.com
1983Kalmbach celebrates its 50th anniversary
1985Kalmbach acquires AstroMedia
Astronomy, 1973–present Read more » Deep Sky, 1977–1992 Read more » Telescope Making, 1977–1992 Read more » Odyssey, 1975–1991 Read more » Sales exceed $10 million
 Astronomy, August 1973 Acquired: 1985 Founding editor: Stephen A. Walther Astronomy is the world’s leading magazine for astronomy enthusiasts. It delivers popular-level stories about the science of astronomy, including cosmology and planetary exploration. The magazine shows readers what they can see in the sky each month, describes how they can observe and photograph the heavens, and features equipment reviews. Web site: www.Astronomy.com  Deep Sky, Summer 1983 Acquired: 1985 Founding editor: David J. Eicher Deep Sky was the world’s leading magazine for amateur astronomers who observe star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies with their telescopes.
 Telescope Making, Fall 1978 Acquired: 1985 Founding editor: Richard Berry Telescope Making promoted an activity — building your own telescope from scratch — that began in the 1920s and experienced a surge in the 1970s and 1980s.  Odyssey, January 1979 Acquired: 1985 Founding editor: Nancy Mack Odyssey introduced the wonders of the universe to children, bringing astronomy and space exploration to a new generation who grew up after the Apollo space flights.
1987Kalmbach launches Classic Toy Trains, 1987–present Read more » Kalmbach purchases Boynton & Associates
Miniatures Dealer, 1978–1992 Read more » Miniatures Showcase, 1986–1993 Read more » Model Retailer, 1971–present Read more » Nutshell News, 1971–2004 Read more »
 Miniatures Dealer, July 1978 Acquired: 1987 Founding editor: David Ritchey Miniatures Dealer targeted the trade to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
 Miniatures Showcase, Winter 1988 Acquired: 1987 Founding editor: Geraldine Willems Miniatures Showcase was devoted to the collecting aspect of the hobby. It was presented as a tool for the collector and shopper.
 Model Retailer, March 1975 Acquired: 1987 Model Retailer is the leading trade magazine of the hobby industry. Since its first issue, it has been an important source for industry news and product information. Model Retailer is also a business resource for retailers, providing advice on how to run their stores more profitably. Web site: www.ModelRetailer.com
 Nutshell News, March 1971 Dollhouse Miniatures, 1997–2004 Acquired: 1987 (as Nutshell News) Founding editor: Catherine MacLaren Nutshell News covered everything from how to create scale miniatures to collecting them. In September 1997, Kalmbach changed the name to Dollhouse Miniatures to have wider appeal and clearer identity.
 Classic Toy Trains, Fall 1987 Launched: 1987 Founding editor: Dick Christianson Classic Toy Trains is the United States’ leading toy train publication. It remains the trusted source of information for collectors and operators of the O and S gauge trains. Each issue showcases colorful model railroads and the latest products, and offers tips for making the most of this exciting hobby. Web site: www.ClassicToyTrains.com
1988Kalmbach publishes Trains Illustrated, 1988–1991 Read more »
 Trains Illustrated, Winter 1988 Launched: 1988 Founding editor: J. David Ingles Trains Illustrated was an expanded gallery of reader-submitted images. Filled with dramatic images of railroading today, it inspired a generation of photographers who just couldn’t get enough in the monthly Trains.
1989Kalmbach moves business to new 84,000-square-foot facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin Kalmbach surpasses $25 million in sales
1991Kalmbach purchases Greenberg Publishing & Shows
1992Kalmbach launches Earth, 1992–1998 Read more »
 Earth, January 1992 Launched: 1992 Earth covered such diverse subjects as volcanoes, tornadoes, dinosaurs, weather, and other subjects associated with our home planet.
1993Kalmbach launches Collecting Toys, 1993–1998 Read more »
 Collecting Toys, October 1993 Launched: 1993 Collecting Toys covered the collectable trends and pricing in die-cast vehicles, action figures, tin toys, and dolls.
1995Kalmbach acquires Birder's World, 1987–present Read more »
 Birder's World, January/February 1987 Acquired: 1995 Founding editor: Eldon Greij Bimonthly Birder's World delivers beautiful bird photography and provides everything a reader needs to become a better birdwatcher — attracting and feeding techniques, species profiles, descriptions and directions for the best birding locations, tips for identifying birds, and more. Web site: www.BirdersWorld.com
1996Kalmbach acquires Bead&Button, 1994–present Read more » Kalmbach acquires Car Modeler, 1990–2003 Read more » Kalmbach acquires Garden Railways, 1984–present Read more » Kalmbach acquires Scale Auto Enthusiast, 1979–present Read more » Kalmbach breaks ground for 35,000-square-foot addition to building in Waukesha, Wisconsin Kalmbach launches first Web sites
 Bead&Button, February 1994 Acquired: 1996 Founding editor: Alice Korach Bead&Button publishes innovative and imaginative projects that challenge and inspire readers to learn, grow and excel. Bead&Button's editors test projects for clarity and dependability so readers can master the skills needed to create beautiful, wearable projects. Web site: www.BeadAndButton.com  Car Modeler, November 1990 Acquired: 1996 Founding editor: Gary Schmidt Car Modeler was an alternate-month complement to Scale Auto Enthusiast.
 Garden Railways, January/February 1984 Acquired: 1996 Founding editors: Barbara and Marc Horovitz Garden Railways is dedicated to model railroading outdoors. The magazine explores all aspects of this diverse, international pursuit, from installing a working outdoor railroad, to the trains, structures, and supporting earthwork. Each issue also covers tips for railroad. Web site: www.GardenRailways.com  Scale Auto Enthusiast, May/June 1979 Acquired: 1996 Founding editor: Gary Schmidt Scale Auto is the leading magazine devoted to car modeling. Each issue contains tips, techniques, and how-to features designed to develop and enhance the readers' model-building skills. Web site: www.ScaleAutoMag.com
2000Kalmbach acquires The Writer, 1887–present Read more » Kalmbach launches Classic Trains, 2000–present Read more »
 The Writer, April 1887 Acquired: 2000 Founding editors: William H. Hills and Robert Luce The Writer is the nation’s oldest and most respected publication for fiction and nonfiction writers. Every month, the magazine instructs, informs and motivates its readers with comprehensive how-to advice on the craft of writing — as well as news, interviews, book reviews and up-to-the-minute market information. Web site: www.TheWriterMag.com
 Classic Trains, Spring 2000 Launched: 2000 Classic Trains celebrates the golden years of railroading in North America, roughly 1930 to 1980, with emphasis on the post-World War II era, when big steam locomotives and colorful diesels shared the rails, new streamliners criss-crossed the country, and nearly every town had a depot. Web site: www.ClassicTrainsMag.com
2001Kalmbach moves the Bead&Button Show to Milwaukee Read more about Bead&Button Show »
 Kalmbach Publishing Co. and its jewelry titles — Bead&Button, BeadStyle and Art Jewelry — sponsor the annual Bead&Button Show, which takes place in Milwaukee. The Show offers more than 500 workshops and classes, and it features more than 350 jewelry vendors from around the world. More than 14,000 attendees travel from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 40 countries to participate in this event. Web site: www.BeadAndButtonShow.com
2003Kalmbach launches BeadStyle, 2003–present Read more » Kalmbach surpasses $50 million in sales
 BeadStyle, September 2003 Launched: 2003 BeadStyle, the world’s best-selling beading magazine, offers easy, quick, stylish, wearable beading projects and related information for beginning beaders and others who enjoy fashionable stringing projects. BeadStyle features clear instructions, helpful tips, fashion news, and other features for all stringers. Web site: www.BeadStyleMag.com
2004Kalmbach acquires American Snowmobiler, (aka Lake Country Snowmobile Tracks), 1986–present Read more » Kalmbach launches Art Jewelry, 2004–present Read more »
 Lake Country Snowmobile Tracks, September 1986 Acquired: 2004 Founding editor: Jerry Bassett Formally known as Lake Country Snowmobile Tracks, American Snowmobiler covers the snowmobiling industry for avid enthusiasts. The magazine provides up-to-date news, in-depth snowmobile reviews and comparisons, real-world sled test results, new product information, an annual Buyers Guide and Getaway Guide, plus racing updates and vintage snowmobile profiles. Web site: www.AmSnow.com
 Art Jewelry, November 2004 Launched: 2004 Art Jewelry is the essential hands-on guide for the independent jewelry maker. Our readers, from hobbyists to professionals, all share a love of making jewelry and a desire to improve their jewelry-making skills. Art Jewelry offers readers how-to articles, staff-tested product reviews, and interviews with leading jewelry artists. Web site: www.ArtJewelryMag.com
2007Kalmbach produces video content for its Web sites
2008Kalmbach celebrates its 75th anniversary
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