How did The New Yorker magazine survive its early struggles and become successful after nearly closing within its first three months of publication?

The New Yorker faced potential closure after just three months in the 1920s, initially struggling to find its audience as a comic jazz age publication. The magazine's turnaround came through strategic content choices that resonated with readers. A pivotal piece about the Scopes Monkey Trial helped establish credibility, but surprisingly, what truly captured public attention and flew off newsstands was an article about cabarets and nightclubs. This unexpected success with nightlife coverage demonstrated how timely, relevant content could define a publication's trajectory and save it from failure.