For more than 50 years, The Tennessee Magazine has been the official publication of our electric cooperatives, keeping consumer-members informed about their co-ops, showcasing the wonders of electric service and highlighting the special events around the state.
The cover of the May 1972 magazine featured a wildlife illustration by Ralph McDonald, whose artwork had twice before graced the front of the magazine. Inside, readers learned about the cooling comfort of air conditioning, World War II tank commander turned Smyrna Mayor Sam Ridley and census results concerning Tennessee agriculture.
While our fashions, appliances and recipes have significantly changed since our first issue in 1958, our mission to entertain, educate and inform our readers has not. Here’s a glimpse of what members saw 50 years ago in The Tennessee Magazine. View the entire May 1972 edition below.