National Lampoon [Old Version] A total of 246 original magazines from 1970 through 1998. NATIONAL LAMPOON began as a publishing venture in 1970, led by comic geniuses Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and magazine publisher Matty Simmons. The magazine quickly established itself as the most shocking, subversive, and unpredictable mass-circulation magazine ever, From revolutionizing the magazine industry to launching the careers of some of comedy's most honored performers and writers, From movies to books to radio to TV to the web, the NATIONAL LAMPOON has been breaking the barriers of humor and good taste since its inception. NATIONAL LAMPOON has forever changed the face of humor  and American culture.