Orson Desaix Munn I

Orson Desaix Munn I
Born	June 11, 1824(1824-06-11)
Died	February 28, 1907(1907-02-28) (aged 82)
Known for	Scientific American
Children	Orson Desaix Munn II Louisine Elder Munn
Relatives	Orson Desaix Munn III

Orson Desaix Munn I (11 June 1824 Monson, Massachusetts - 28 February 1907) was the publisher of Scientific American.

Biography

He received his education at the academy in his native town, and, deciding on a business career, went to work for a bookstore in Springfield. After two years of this experience, he returned to accept a more important commercial trust in Monson, but soon found his way to New York City.^[1] He formed Munn & Company with Salem H. Wales and Alfred Ely Beach as editor.

With Beach, he bought the six-month-old Scientific American magazine from Rufus Porter.^[2] The purchase price of this property was less than $1,000, and it included a subscription list of 200 names. Porter continued as editor, and the enterprise, placed on a sound business basis, at once proved a success. It was the first popular scientific journal in the United States, and it is now the oldest, having a recognized standing throughout the civilized world. Its function has been the publication of the record of the progress of art and science both at home and abroad.^[1]

In 1876 the demand upon its space was so great, owing to the increased interest that resulted from the Centennial Exposition, that a Scientific American Supplement was started. An Architect and Builders' edition, published monthly, was established in 1885.^[1]

Among the earliest requests made to the publishers of the Scientific American was for advice concerning the procuring of letters-patent for new inventions, there being at that time no professional patent solicitors. This department of the business developed with great rapidity, and a branch office for it was soon opened in Washington, D.C. For many years Munn & Co. enjoyed a virtual monopoly of this class of business, and upward of 100,000 applications for patents were made by this house. Munn strictly adhered to a principle never to invest a penny in any patented invention.^[1]

His children were Orson Desaix Munn II, and Louisine Elder Munn.^[3] He died on 28 February 1907.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d}  "Munn, Orson Desaix". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900. 
2. ^ "June 11". Today in Sci. http://www.todayinsci.com/6/6_11.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-15. 
3. ^ "Married". Time (magazine). June 4, 1934. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,754219,00.html. Retrieved 2008-07-15. "Louisine Elder Munn, daughter of Orson Desaix Munn, publisher of the Scientific American, and of the late Actress Margaret Lawrence; and Berkeley Wendell Jackson; in Manhattan." 
4. ^ "Orson Desaix Munn". New York Times. 4 March 1907. "Funeral services at the Madison Square Presbyterian Church ..." 

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Name	Munn, Orson Desaix
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1824-06-11
Place of birth
Date of death	1907-02-28
Place of death