Galvanizing Journalism
In order to capture the public's attention and inform them about social injustices, Bly used attention-grabbing stunts.
"Everything we know about [Bly] that people remember...happened in two and a half years. Think how many journalists have careers for fifty years that we don't talk about."
-Brooke Kroeger, author, Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist
Creation of Stunt Journalism
When a journalist carries out a stunt for the sake of a story, it is called stunt journalism. Bly used these attention-grabbing articles to bring attention to legitimate causes.
To see examples of Bly's stunts, click here.
To see examples of Bly's stunts, click here.
Ten days in a madhouse
Ten Days in a Madhouse was the first in her illustrious career. Joseph Pulitzer, editor of the New York World, sent Nellie Bly to the madhouse for her first stunt.
Bly formed a reciprocal relationship with the public, providing information in return for help making reforms.
To learn more about this stunt, click here.
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"Could I pass a week in the insane ward at Blackwell's Island? I said I could and I would. And I did."
-Bly from Ten Days in a Madhouse
To see how things changed after Bly's article, click here.
Around the world in 72 days
"Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything."
-Bly from Around the World in 72 Days
Bly's fame grew exponentially as she reported on her journey.
Map of Bly's Important Stopping Points on her Journey
Scroll over each pinpoint to see an abridged version of Bly's trip around the world.
Information gathered from Matthew Goodman's book Eighty Days, and Bly's Around the World in 72 Days.
Information gathered from Matthew Goodman's book Eighty Days, and Bly's Around the World in 72 Days.
Her trip led journalists to pursue stories in new ways, and opened doors for female journalists to follow in her footsteps.
"She was really a girl from nobody, nowhere...and managed to make so much of herself."
-Brooke Kroeger, author of Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist
Bly's Imitators
Blys articles were so influential that many journalists imitated her methods of stunt journalism.
The term "Meg Merrilies" referred to those attempting to emulate Bly's style.