Idiot Free Press traces its origins back to 1879 when founder Elijah Whitmore, fueled by a belief that individuals with limited access to education deserved a reliable source of news, set out to create the first newspaper written at the second-grade reading level.

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Tragically, Elijah Whitmore's life was cut short when his carriage collided with a cable car in 1911. However, his legacy continued as his son, Henry Whitmore, assumed leadership of the newspaper. Recognizing the evolving landscape of media and the need for change, took a bold step by transforming the publication while retaining its iconic name.

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Under Henry's guidance, Idiot Free Press embarked on a new mission: to be a beacon of journalistic excellence, untainted by the stupidity of muckraking journalists or political influence. 

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Facing financial challenges, the Whitmore family sold the Idiot Free Press in 1982 to the Carlisle Group, then the world's most powerful alcoholic beverage and industrial chemicals manufacturer. Over the years there have been two dozen subsequent changes in ownership, but one thing remains constant: our commitment to journalistic excellence.