Gingrich was recruited as editor of Apparel Arts (later to become Gentleman’s Quarterly), a clothing store trade magazine, in 1931. Its popularity with the broader public inspired the creation of Esquire as a men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine in 1933, for which Gingrich was a co-founder. The name, in fact, was inspired by a friend’s sarcastic addressing of him in letters. Gingrich served as editor and publisher of Esquire at various points throughout his life, but it was not his only venture. In 1938, he co-founded Ken magazine, which presented political analysis with vivid illustrations. Later that year, Ken was investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee on allegations of being a communist propaganda piece. Gingrich and his colleagues argued that Ken was demonstrably against extremism in any form and believed in American democracy and the need to protect it. Ken was ultimately cleared, but was forced to close in 1939 due to troubles selling advertising space.
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