“To Prepare the Mind for Wonder”: Popular Science and Mass Media in the 1920s

This article examines the creation and development of the Science Service, a 1920s initiative aimed at popularizing science through mass media. Founded by biologist William Ritter and newspaper magnate Edward Scripps, the wire service sought to disseminate accurate scientific information to the American public via newspapers, radio, and other popular media. While Scripps favored a commercially viable, accessible style that used entertainment to hook readers, Ritter envisioned science journalism as a tool for democratic education and intellectual empowerment. These conflicting philosophies created lasting tensions within the organization around how to address challenges such as sensationalism, editorial independence, and public skepticism. Contributors like Mary Austin promoted the idea of citizen science and criticized the Service’s drift toward superficiality. Despite these debates, the Science Service established foundational practices in science communication, emphasizing clarity, accessibility, and journalistic integrity. Ultimately, it became a precursor to today’s Society for Science, with a legacy rooted in balancing public appeal and scientific rigor. The article highlights how mass media became a contested but powerful venue for shaping scientific literacy and civic engagement in the early 20th century.