FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (NNS) — All Hands Magazine launched the new digital archive of print editions Aug. 19.
All Hands has been the official magazine of the U.S. Navy since 1922, highlighting news and topics important to Sailors and their families. It was brought back as an online magazine at www.ah.mil in February, and the new archive design offers 89 years of an easy-to-browse and download format.
The new site will replace the existing archive that has been hosted at www.navy.mil since 2003.
Visitors to the site will see a simplified menu to choose from any year of the magazine’s print publication. Each year has a dedicated page displaying the covers from every issue offered that year. Users can also download electronic versions of the cover or the entire magazine using the links provided.
“This new archive is a gift to generations of Sailors and their families who can now browse the history of our Navy during their years of service,” said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Navy Chief of Information. “The sharing of sea stories is something every Sailor holds dear. With this new format, we offer them all a history of Navy storytelling at its best.”
When the magazine was first launched in 1922, it was simple typewritten copy. By the end of the printing in 2011, the magazine had become home to state-of-the-art digital photography and graphics. While the appearance changed in 89 years, the importance to Sailors remained a constant according to Marie Johnston, All Hands editor from 1986-2011.
“Even from its initial, non-flashy beginnings, it was out there to support the Sailor and let them know what was going on,” she said. “All Hands – when I hear that, it says, ‘There’s something for everyone here.'”
The archive homepage offers a quick history of the magazine’s appearance.
The main feature is a slideshow with each different style of All Hands throughout the 89-year run. Clicking on a particular cover from the slideshow will take the user to other issues from that year.
Although the site is active and ready for browsing, there are still more features scheduled to come online to make it even more interactive. The next phase will include a search tool allowing visitors to use keywords to search for specific content.
The archive can be accessed by clicking http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/department_arch.html.