Cover of April 1957 Mechanix Illustrated

Mechanix Illustrated was an American magazine founded in the first half of the twentieth century to compete against the older Popular Science (magazine) and Popular Mechanics Billed as "The How-To-Do Magazine," Mechanix Illustrated (MI) aimed to guide readers through various projects from home improvements to advice on repairs to "build-your-own (sports car, telescope, helicopter, etc)." From its debut in 1928, it went through a number of permutations over the years, being called at various points in its life, "Home Mechanix," "Modern mechanics and inventions," "Modern mechanix and inventions," "Modern mechanix" and finally "Mechanix Illustrated." Image File history File links Cover of April 1957 (?) Mechanix Illustrated magazine, featuring photo of the Aurora (1957 automobile) uploaded by Gerald Zuckier This is a magazine cover. ... Image File history File links Cover of April 1957 (?) Mechanix Illustrated magazine, featuring photo of the Aurora (1957 automobile) uploaded by Gerald Zuckier This is a magazine cover. ... Issue of Popular Science Popular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. ... Popular Mechanics is an American science and technology magazine published since January 11, 1902 and owned by Hearst Communications, Inc. ...

Although it featured many articles on "how-to-do," its most eagerly awaited and read features were the monthly automobile tests by Tom McCahill, which ran from the late 40's to the early 70's. McCahill's feisty opinions were delivered in a prose laced with similies that are still quoted today among car enthusiasts ("As anyone brighter than a rusty spike must know...," flooring the accelerator pedal on a certain car is "...like stepping on a wet sponge," the clock/tachometer combination on another car is "...about as useful as feathers on a moose," etc., etc.). McCahill died in 1974, and three years later CBS bought Fawcett Publications, the company which published MI, and continued publishing the magazine for a few years thereafter (although renaming it Home Mechanix in 1984). .