It was first published January 11 , 1902 by H.H. Windsor , and has been owned since the 1950s by the Hearst Corporation There is also a Latin American edition that has been published for decades and a newly formed South African version available . Popular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11 , 1902 by H. H. Windsor , and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation . There are nine international editions , including a now-defunct Latin American version that has been published for decades and a newer South African edition .