Evolution Of National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society believes that the power of science, exploration and storytelling can change the world (National Geographic). It began as an amateur scientific organization in 1888 by Gardiner Greene Hubbard and went on to become the largest scientific-educational institution in the world (Lutz and Collins 1993:16). According to Lutz and Collins (1993:16), the National Geographic Society was influenced by several historical trends such as the emergence of mass journalism, distinct academic disciplines, development of photoengraving technology, and the most important, America’s rising interest in foreign lands. Therefore, all these factors created an atmosphere for an organization such as National Geographic to successfully operate …show more content…
This organization thrived between the boundaries of science and entertainment, which contributed to its success and popularity. There was an ongoing atmosphere of scientific specialization and the defamation of amateur professionals when National Geographic emerged (Lutz and Collins 1993:24). Therefore, National Geographic filled a void between academic professionals and the general public by promoting science and presenting its information in an entertaining manner (Lutz and Collins 1993:24). National Geographic’s main success stems from its ability to establish a reputation for itself as being a scientific and educational organization (Lutz and Collins 1993:24). This resulted in the National Geographic being able to convey its information with scientific authority, and at the same time not being controlled by the scientific community (Lutz and Collins 1993:24). Furthermore, the editors at National Geographic magazine utilized photographs, which presented and glorified “the exotic and ritualistic aspects of primitive societies, or that sensationalized head-hunting, cannibalism, mutilation or tattoos” (Lutz and Collin 1993:24). Therefore, since these images are published in a magazine that positions itself as being scholarly and scientific it reinforced old prejudices (Lutz and Collins …show more content…
Photographs became an important tool for the National Geographic and helped with its ongoing efforts of positioning itself between the boundaries of science and entertainment (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). Alexander Graham Bell took over the National Geographic Society in 1898, and hired Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor who saw the potential in photographs increasing the magazine’s popularity (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). In 1905 Grosvenor published photographs that were sent to him by Russian travelers of Lhasa, Tibet, without approval of the board (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). Although the board was not impressed by Grosvenor’s decision, the response from the American public was largely positive (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). In addition, Grosvenor’s notorious publication resulted in a tremendous increase in the magazine’s membership, from 3,400 to 11,000 by the end of the year (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). Therefore, it is evident that photographs became the future of the National Geographic magazine and served as a significant tool for increasing its popularity (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). Moreover, the photographs that were to be published in the magazine had to abide by Grosvenor’s principles, these were, the photographs have to be beautiful, artistic and informative (Lutz and Collins 1993:27). The National Geographic magazine depended on attractive and easily