TA^Guy
06-25-2007, 10:58 PM
Hot Rod Magazine has an amazing artical on Robert Petersen, founder of Pertersen Publishing Company who are known for such magazines like Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Guns And Ammo and many more.
Robert, Bob, or even Pete, nick names depend on who you ask, grew up in LA and got started early working in Hollywood as a messenger boy for MGM Stuidos. At the early age of 21 he printed his first copy of Hot Rod magazine.
He went to racers in the pits and builders and sold advertisments one at a time. Once the magazie went into print he would sell them at the races for $.25 each. Between races he'd take a break for selling magazines an dphotograph and interview drivers. Most tracks wouldn't mind because he worked a deal with them to give the track $.05 for every issue he sold. Then he started selling subscriptions for $3.00. Often while on the road they would sell subscriptions just to eat.
But he didn't just start a magazine, he helped create the automotive industry what it is today. Petersen had to convince the owner of a gas station in Hollywood to place a ad in his magazine. Vic Edelbrock Sr. was a winning dry lake racer who developed and sold speed equipment from his gas station. after PEtersen published Edelbrocks quarter page ads, Vic complained that his phone was "ringing off the hook" and that he didn' have time to pump gas. To cut down on the calls Petersen convinced Edelbrock to offer a catalog for $.25. Vic soon said they were making a fair ammount of money selling speed equipment and no longer had time for gas. Petersen suggested to Vic that maybe he was no longer a gas station, but instead a "Speed Merchant".
Obviously we all know the success of Vic Edelbrock today. But that was just one minor accomplishement for Petersen. He also had a very largeroll in founding the NHRA (National Hot ROd Association) and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association, originally the Speed Equipment Manufactures Association). Petersen understood that this hobby needed a offical trade association and national club to help legitimize the sport.
For more about Robert Petersen please pick up a copy of the Augest issue of Hot Rod magazine, it's truely inspiring knowning that one man had such a large influence on our hobby today. I think everyone atleast owe it to him as an enthusiast to know who he was, because without him or people like hm we may not have a hobby at all.
Robert, Bob, or even Pete, nick names depend on who you ask, grew up in LA and got started early working in Hollywood as a messenger boy for MGM Stuidos. At the early age of 21 he printed his first copy of Hot Rod magazine.
He went to racers in the pits and builders and sold advertisments one at a time. Once the magazie went into print he would sell them at the races for $.25 each. Between races he'd take a break for selling magazines an dphotograph and interview drivers. Most tracks wouldn't mind because he worked a deal with them to give the track $.05 for every issue he sold. Then he started selling subscriptions for $3.00. Often while on the road they would sell subscriptions just to eat.
But he didn't just start a magazine, he helped create the automotive industry what it is today. Petersen had to convince the owner of a gas station in Hollywood to place a ad in his magazine. Vic Edelbrock Sr. was a winning dry lake racer who developed and sold speed equipment from his gas station. after PEtersen published Edelbrocks quarter page ads, Vic complained that his phone was "ringing off the hook" and that he didn' have time to pump gas. To cut down on the calls Petersen convinced Edelbrock to offer a catalog for $.25. Vic soon said they were making a fair ammount of money selling speed equipment and no longer had time for gas. Petersen suggested to Vic that maybe he was no longer a gas station, but instead a "Speed Merchant".
Obviously we all know the success of Vic Edelbrock today. But that was just one minor accomplishement for Petersen. He also had a very largeroll in founding the NHRA (National Hot ROd Association) and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association, originally the Speed Equipment Manufactures Association). Petersen understood that this hobby needed a offical trade association and national club to help legitimize the sport.
For more about Robert Petersen please pick up a copy of the Augest issue of Hot Rod magazine, it's truely inspiring knowning that one man had such a large influence on our hobby today. I think everyone atleast owe it to him as an enthusiast to know who he was, because without him or people like hm we may not have a hobby at all.