Sixty-six years and 550 regular issues. Countless “Fold-Ins,” “Marginals,” and, of course, laughs. That was Mad, the pioneering satirical magazine launched in 1952 by Harvey Kurtzman and William Gaines. It began as a comic book, and though its signature sections were yet to be formulated, the tiny staff already had a clear vision of its tone. They hit their stride over the next decade, which saw a change in leadership, a larger pool of contributors, a (characteristically) bizarre decision to publish eight issues a year, and, importantly, an emphasis on illustrations. Mad’s irreverent art direction was a vital component of its 1970s boom and long-term success. Only six years ago did Mad stop appearing on newsstands. The Norman Rockwell Museum is celebrating Mad with “What, Me Worry?,” an exhibition featuring the many artists and writers who made the magazine—and its mascot, Alfred E. Neuman—the cultural touchstone it is today. —Jack Sullivan