Premium smoking is different today than when I started 45 years ago. You're reading this online, for example, presumably because the subject interests you. "Online" back then meant the telephone party line was in use, and we couldn't make a call because Mrs. Miller was online telling her niece in graphic detail about Mr. Miller's hernia complications. But now, it means the world is instantly accessible. That's quite a shift in reality. If back then I was given a window to today, I'd have called it overly imaginative science fiction.

Computers were the size of Volkswagens and couldn't even play checkers. Now we carry them in our pockets, and they play everything from jazz and chess to the stock market. But for those of us who appreciate fine smoking, the most important thing they do is connect us to the world of tobacco more quickly, thoroughly, and stylishly than at any other time in history.

The Smokingpipes Daily Reader is, in my estimate, at the forefront of this revolution in smoking information, and it isn't accidental. Talented and experienced people have gathered to make it happen. Pipe and cigar experts combine with gifted photographers, writers, artists, designers, and videographers to provide entertaining and informative articles and videos of interest to all who have become enamored with premium tobacco.

Many of these people have traveled far to work with Smokingpipes because they love the hobby and want a career working with the most professional and enthusiastic tobacco people anywhere. Some are Smokingpipes customers who enjoyed the company enough to pursue staff positions. They're avid hobbyists turned pro.

Truett Smith, for example, came from Indiana expressly to work here. He started as a copywriter and is now Pipe Manager, but you may know him from our "Mystery Tobacco Reviews" and his articles on the Daily Reader. Photographer Nicole Weed came from Pennsylvania to work with us; her photos are featured in many of our newsletters, and they are stunning. Andy Wike, who became infatuated with pipe smoking thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien, came from North Carolina to be a copywriter; he's now Vice President of Marketing.

Shane Ireland, who conducts many of our videos, started as a copywriter as well, moving from California; he's now Vice President of Retail. Ben Price, our Merchandizing Assistant Manager, also moved from California to work here and started by coordinating and scheduling the content for the Daily Reader. Writer/Editor Rose Kiser — who followed us before working here, thoroughly knew our Daily Reader content, and often writes with an irresistible sense of comical irony — came all the way from Kentucky. Associate Writer/Editor Kayla Ivan accepted her job from Rhode Island; her articles have been particularly popular because her research and writing skills are outstanding. Josh Burgess departed an academic career in Columbia, South Carolina, to become Sales Manager here; he's now Vice President of Manufacturing, helps direct Cornell & Diehl and Peterson, and his content and advisory input have been exceptionally beneficial. I came here from North Carolina because I love pipes, and Smokingpipes is a global nucleus for pipes. Who could resist?

Among our small stable of companies is Cornell & Diehl, and it's great to have a pipe tobacco company in our backyard. Especially valuable is access to Director and Head Blender Jeremy Reeves, who moved from Oregon and will tell you what a thrill it was when he started working at his personal favorite tobacco company. It's enormous fun to have a friend who is a brilliant blender and knowledgeable colleague, and his participation certainly helps make better tobacco articles. He's done many popular videos here and on YouTube about the intricacies of tobacco.

Not everyone relocated themselves and their families to work here; some found us locally through their interest in the industry. Alan Britt, for example, found us through his love for cigars, and you'll see him featured in many videos investigating the nuances of cigar smoking. Anna Nierwinski was local when she joined us and is the most gifted artist and graphic designer I've been privileged to work with. You've seen some of her work here and in the tin art for G.L. Pease and C&D tobaccos. Videographer and Social Media Manager Chris Herath had been producing tobacco videos of his own for years before we recruited him, and his talents are evident in our improved content. Tyler Caldwell is another cigar guy whose passion for tobacco attracted him to us, and his videos range from cigar tutorials to reviews to in-depth analyses.

Also contributing to the Daily Reader are people who have no bylines but are exceedingly essential, like Marketing Analyst Ardit Hushi, originally from Albania, who organizes our content and social media and keeps us from getting lost in our own obsessions, and developers Greg Marines and John Sutherland, who with their staff make the technology work. They're all talented enough to work anywhere but choose to be here because they are as enthusiastic about tobacco as any avid hobbyist.

Dozens more help the Daily Reader perform, and we didn't all converge on Longs, South Carolina, for the cultural stimulation, though the people are nice, and the weather is sometimes tolerable. No, we came here for Smokingpipes, because it's a cool place to work for people who geek out about tobacco, cigars, and pipes.

Our staffing philosophy explains much about the quality of what you read and view on these pages. We don't necessarily enlist for specific positions — we welcome people who brilliantly share our passions, and then we find, devise, or watch positions evolve that support their enthusiasm and satisfaction in their chosen vocations. We don't just work here; we like working here. We thrive. And we hope it's evident in our content.

If you've not explored that content, we urge you to investigate. Check out the Tags link to see what our vast library holds. You'll find everything from fiction, humor, and satire to promotional content, historical articles, profiles of famous smokers, reviews, how-to advice, pipe- and cigar-maker biographies, interviews, short stories, tobacco varietal examinations, and much more.

You'll find enthusiastic people having lots of fun investigating our common interests. Every day here is like a pipe show, with lots of discussion and exploration of the topics that captivate enthusiasts. We hope that you'll recognize our affection for and commitment to this unusual hobby we all share and consider subscribing and participating. Your comments help us identify what we get right and what we get wrong and help direct future content to excite and engage our shared passion for inspirational smoking experiences.

— Chuck Stanion, Editor, Daily Reader