Print MediaPrint Media

BooksBooks

NewspapersNewspapers

MagazinesMagazines

BooksBooks

The most credible form of print mediaThe most credible form of print media DurabilityDurability Association with formal educationAssociation with formal education Preserve thoughts, culture, legends of Preserve thoughts, culture, legends of

historyhistory LeisureLeisure

Papyrus rollsPapyrus rolls

Earliest known rolls containing writing Earliest known rolls containing writing Egyptian mummy casesEgyptian mummy cases 3500 BC3500 BC Contained writing called hieratic Contained writing called hieratic

Made use of picturesMade use of pictures

First known alphabetFirst known alphabet

1400 BC1400 BC Phonecian alphabetPhonecian alphabet

Writing system derived from speech rather Writing system derived from speech rather than pictures/ symbolsthan pictures/ symbols

Wooden block printingWooden block printing

Tang Dynasty (617-906 AD)Tang Dynasty (617-906 AD) Diamond Sutra (mid 9Diamond Sutra (mid 9thth c.) c.)

11stst printed book still in existence printed book still in existence

Writing materialsWriting materials

Clay tabletsClay tablets Animal skinsAnimal skins ParchmentParchment LinenLinen Wood-pulp paperWood-pulp paper

CodexCodex

End of 3End of 3rdrd c. AD c. AD Replaced papyrus/ parchment scrollsReplaced papyrus/ parchment scrolls Roman method of book bindingRoman method of book binding

Used cords to tie sheets of papyrus/ Used cords to tie sheets of papyrus/ parchment between wooden boardsparchment between wooden boards

Greater ease of readingGreater ease of reading Made indexes possibleMade indexes possible

Johann GutenbergJohann Gutenberg

1430’s1430’s Invented workable press that used Invented workable press that used

movable typemovable type European innovation (no one knew of European innovation (no one knew of

earlier Asian inventions)earlier Asian inventions) 1456 Gutenberg printed “Mazarin Bible”, 1456 Gutenberg printed “Mazarin Bible”,

11stst book produced w/ movable type book produced w/ movable type

11stst printing press in printing press in EnglandEngland

14761476 William CaxtonWilliam Caxton

Social changeSocial change

Spread of printing ripened conditions for Spread of printing ripened conditions for social changes, esp. those affecting social changes, esp. those affecting established religious institutionsestablished religious institutions Formation of new opinionsFormation of new opinions Fresh interpretations of the Bible, sometimes Fresh interpretations of the Bible, sometimes

at variance with church dogmaat variance with church dogma Fragmentation of Roman Catholic Church Fragmentation of Roman Catholic Church

formed matrix of Protestant Reformationformed matrix of Protestant Reformation

The Cambridge PressThe Cambridge Press

11stst printing press in America printing press in America Est. at Harvard 1638Est. at Harvard 1638 Issued limited # of booksIssued limited # of books

Colonial periodColonial period

Only literate upper class could afford Only literate upper class could afford booksbooks

Most books costly (printed in Europe)Most books costly (printed in Europe) Wealth/ status measured by # of leather-Wealth/ status measured by # of leather-

bound books one possessedbound books one possessed Low literacy rates (10% by 1800)Low literacy rates (10% by 1800) Cost of a book approx. 1 week’s wages Cost of a book approx. 1 week’s wages

($1) ($1)

1919thth Century Century

Compulsory education led to higher Compulsory education led to higher literacy ratesliteracy rates

Industrial improvements lowered cost of Industrial improvements lowered cost of books due to large scale productionbooks due to large scale production Steam-powered pressesSteam-powered presses Mechanical typesetting machinesMechanical typesetting machines

Age of BooksAge of Books

By the mid 19By the mid 19thth c., inexpensive c., inexpensive paperback editions available for 10 cents paperback editions available for 10 cents a copya copy

Books became popular mass mediumBooks became popular mass medium

Publishing housesPublishing houses

Significant forces during late 19Significant forces during late 19thth c. c. By 1900, literacy rates had reached 90%By 1900, literacy rates had reached 90% Books, newspapers, magazinesBooks, newspapers, magazines Free public libraries allowed access for Free public libraries allowed access for

allall

Publishing-goes-public Publishing-goes-public EraEra

Period since 1945Period since 1945 Independent companies sold stock in Independent companies sold stock in

themselves to individual investorsthemselves to individual investors Led to mergers/ conglomeratesLed to mergers/ conglomerates CausesCauses

Competition among publishing housesCompetition among publishing houses Mass demand for works of fictionMass demand for works of fiction Commercialization of literature Commercialization of literature Printing and marketing practices streamlined w/ big Printing and marketing practices streamlined w/ big

businessbusiness

Publishing divisionsPublishing divisions

Trade booksTrade books Books sold via bookstores general consumerBooks sold via bookstores general consumer

TextbooksTextbooks Published for studentsPublished for students

Professional/ scholarly booksProfessional/ scholarly books Post grad specialistsPost grad specialists

PaperbacksPaperbacks Mass-marketed titles sold in bookstores/ at news Mass-marketed titles sold in bookstores/ at news

standsstands