Periodical Cicada

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Weaver's first Geographic article, published in July 1953, focused on the periodical cicada. The title itself captured the insect's remarkable life cycle: "Rip Van Winkle of the Underground: North America's Much Misunderstood Insect, the Periodical Cicada, Emerges After 17 Years in the Earth for a Fling in the Sun." This article marked the beginning of a prolific career. Weaver would go on to write 37 stories for The National Geographic, mostly within the Science beat. His work was widely viewed, as the majority of Geographic subscribers primarily opened the magazine to peruse the pictures. The cicada article was his first contribution to that visual and narrative tradition.

In Their Own Story

In 1952, Kenneth Franklin Weaver was hired at The National Geographic in the legends department. "Legends" were the captions that accompanied the innovative, often exotic photography that the Geographic pioneered. Within the legends department, Weaver thrived, and he was quickly promoted to Staff Writer. His first Geographic article, published in July 1953, was entitled "Rip Van Winkle of the Underground: North America's Much Misunderstood Insect, the Periodical Cicada, Emerges After 17 Years in the Earth for a Fling in the Sun." The article appeared on pages 133–142 of the magazine.

Reader's Guide

The periodical cicada, as described in Weaver's first article, emerges after 17 years in the earth. The article's title notes that it is "North America's Much Misunderstood Insect." The cicada's emergence is described as a "Fling in the Sun," indicating a brief above-ground period. Weaver's article was published in July 1953 in The National Geographic, spanning pages 133–142. This was the first of 37 stories Weaver wrote for the magazine, mostly within the Science beat.

Did You Know?

• Kenneth Franklin Weaver's first article for National Geographic was about the periodical cicada, published in July 1953.
• The article's title described the cicada as 'North America's Much Misunderstood Insect.'
• Weaver was hired at The National Geographic in 1952 in the legends department, which produced captions for photographs.
• Weaver wrote 37 stories for The National Geographic, mostly within the Science beat.
• The cicada article was titled 'Rip Van Winkle of the Underground: North America's Much Misunderstood Insect, the Periodical Cicada, Emerges After 17 Years in the Earth for a Fling in the Sun.'