1922
At the age of 12, Al buys small printing press to start a neighborhood newspaper, The Milwaukee Sun.
1933
Starts printing and publishing company A.C. Kalmbach and Co., 545 South 84th Street, Milwaukee
1934
In 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.
Model Railroader
Launched: 1934
Founding editor: Al Kalmbach
Description: Model Railroader magazine 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
1936
Kalmbach moves to 7611 West State St.
1940
Al launches Trains magazine, 5,178 copies sold
Trains Launched: 1940
Founding editor: Al Kalmbach
Description: 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.Trains.com
1943
Moves to 1027 North 7th Street in Milwaukee
1950
Model Railroader circulation surpasses 100,000
1951
Kalmbach launches Ships and Sailing, 1951-1959
Ships and Sailing, 1951-1959
Launched: 1951
Description: Ships and Sailing was similar to Trains because it covered ships, passenger and cargo service, maritime history, and operations.
1953
Kalmbach sales exceed $1 million
1958
Kalmbach celebrates 25th anniversary
1960
Kalmbach launches Better Camping, 1960-1970
Better Camping, 1960-1970
Launched: 1960
Description: Better Camping covered camping equipment, tents, destinations, outdoor coking, and anything else related to camping.
1971
Kalmbach establishes Books Department
1982
Kalmbach launches FineScale Modeler
FineScale Modeler, 1982-present
Launched: 1982
Founding editor: Bob Hayden
Description: 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
1983
Kalmbach celebrates 50th anniversary
1985
Kalmbach acquires AstroMedia
Astronomy magazine, 1973-present
Acquired: 1985
Founding editor: Stephen A. Walther
Description: Astronomy magazine 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, 1977-1992
Acquired: 1985
Founding editor: David J. Eicher
Description: Deep Sky was the world's leading magazine for amateur astronomers who observe star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies with their telescopes.
Telescope Making, 1977-1992
Acquired: 1985
Founding editor: Richard Berry
Description: Telescope Making magazine promoted an activity that began in the 1920s and experienced a surge in the 1970s and 1980s - building your own telescope from scratch.
Odyssey, 1975-1991
Acquired: 1985
Founding editor: Nancy Mack
Description: Odyssey magazine 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.
Sales exceed $10 million
1987
Kalmbach launches Classic Toy Trains Classic Toy Trains, 1987–present
Launched: 1987
Founding editor: Dick Christianson
Description: 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
Kalmbach purchases Boynton & Associates:
Miniatures Dealer, 1978–1992
Acquired: 1987
Founding editor: David Ritchey
Description: Miniatures Dealer targeted the trade to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Miniatures Showcase, 1986–1993
Acquired: 1987
Founding editor: Geraldine Willems
Description: Miniatures Showcase was devoted to the collecting aspect of the hobby. It was presented as a tool for the collector and shopper.
Model Retailer, 1975–present
Acquired: 1987
Description: 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 Dollhouse Miniatures, 1971–2004
Acquired: 1987 (as Nutshell News)
Founding editor: Catherine MacLaren
Description: Nutshell News covered everything from how to create scale miniatures to collecting them. In September 1997, the name was changed to Dollhouse Miniatures to have wider appeal and clearer identity.
1988
Kalmbach publishes Trains Illustrated, 1988-1991 Trains Illustrated, 1988–1991 Launched: 1988
Founding editor: J. David Ingles Description: 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.
1989
Kalmbach moves business to new 84,000-square-foot facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Kalmbach surpasses $25 million in sales
1991
Kalmbach purchases Greenberg Publishing & Shows
1992
Kalmbach launches Earth, 1992-1998
1993
Kalmbach launches Collecting Toys, 1993-1998
1995
Kalmbach acquires Birder's World, 1987-present
1996 Bead&Button, 1994–present Acquired: 1996
Founding editor: Alice Korach Description: 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
Kalmbach acquires Car Modeler, 1990–2003 Car Modeler, 1990–2003 Acquired: 1996
Founding editor: Gary Schmidt Description: Car Modeler was an alternate-month complement to Scale Auto Enthusiast.
Kalmbach acquires Garden Railways, 1984–present Garden Railways, 1984–present Acquired: 1996
Founding editors: Barbara and Marc Horovitz Description: 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
Kalmbach acquires Scale Auto Enthusiast, 1978–present Scale Auto Enthusiast, 1978–present Acquired: 1996
Founding editor: Gary Schmidt Description: 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
Kalmbach breaks ground for 35,000-square-foot addition to building in Waukesha
Kalmbach launches first web sites
1999
Kalmbach launches Classic Trains
2000
Kalmbach acquires The Writer, 1887-present
2001
Kalmbach moves Bead&Button Show to Milwaukee
2003
Kalmbach launches BeadStyle magazine
Kalmbach surpasses $50 million in sales
2004
Kalmbach acquires American Snowmobiler, (aka Lake Country Snowmobile Tracks), 1986-present
Kalmbach launches Art Jewelry
2007
Kalmbach produces online video content for its web sites
2008
Kalmbach celebrates 75th anniversary |