The Printed Book

23 March 2010.

"I was watching a recent episode of the Collectors (abc1, Fri. 8.00pm) where they included a collection of old printing presses. The collector mentioned how printers would strive for a smooth page with no print indents...and how now these indents are the only way to tell the work is not digital."

9 April 2010.

"Who would have thought that something as simple as movable type, could have such an influence on society?"

It seems that Gutenberg had great ideas but was unsuccessful in business. The first printed bible was wasteful because of too few lines per page-makes me wonder why Gutenberg chose to print a book as ambitious as the bible; afterall many of the manuscripts books were chapters like the psalms or gospels. Had he chose a smaller project the result may have been less expensive, his result a successful book that could work within the line per page boundary he had set and a learning curb towards the more ambitious bible. Perhaps also he may not have been sold out by his bank manager Johann Fust. Ok he did hide smaller projects from Fust but it seems Fust knew well how important and profitable Gutenberg's printing press was and wanted control once the hard yards were covered by Gutenberg. Peter Schoeffer also knew what side his bread was buttered on too, ambitiously managing Fust's daughter.

"It is as well that Gutenberg is remembered for his inventions - The Gutenberg Bible is never referred to as the Fust Bible..."

I find it interesting that early printed books retained the format and appearance of the manuscript books, that the initials were still hand painted, added later by scribes. Could this have been because initially people were loath to trust new the machine printing? This could be possible, many people today find teller machines untrustworthy and prefer bank books, the same can be said for computers. Not just the older generation, there is a graphic design studio in Hobart who still use Letraset..! The most likely scenario is the producers of these early printed books copied the manuscript format because they were the only examples of codex books available, the public's aversion to change may have had some influence in the continued use of scribes, after all it was possible for initials to be printed, but publishers retained the hand painted examples used in manuscripts. Woodblock illustration, regardless of how finely engraved couldn't replace the colour and luminosity of the manuscripts. Another aspect of the manuscripts that was at times continued was in the binding. An example of this is the collection of ancient Roman poetry by Terence (1561) where decorative clasps have been copied from manuscripts.

"Printing hasn't the same feel as hand created work. Very few of today's printed books could be regarded as art, but it is obvious (judging by debates on the forum) that the manuscript books are seen as works of art; early printed books also have a beauty and heart that couldn't be found in printed books today, even with the most advanced technology. Perhaps the early pioneers of printing felt the same way about these early books when comparing them with manuscripts and chose, even when new developments were possible, to retain some of the essence of beauty found in the handmade predecessor of the printed book."

15 April 2010.

'The printing press was the first major use of mass communication...'

The creation of the printed book arguably changed society more than any other technological invention. This was certainly the case until the advent of personal computers and the internet. Mass production in the printed form, with other production and social advancements of the industrial revolution and the advent of compulsory basic education (1876) the need for information grew. The new wealthier middle class helped the spread of newspapers, periodicals, the opening of public lending libraries and educational institutions of the arts and sciences. Socially conscience leaders of industry encouraged their workers to become involved in arts, craft and musical endeavours.

"We are lucky that Gutenberg's invention occurred when it did, although there is no doubt that movable type would have been invented at some stage, had it waited until the industrial revolution to appear society would be a lot different today."

18 April 2010.

The development of image reproduction in the nineteenth century made it possible for students of the arts and sciences to study without travel. Imaging those living in Australia or the Americas never seeing the works of writers and painters.. Early art books may not have been accurate colour reproductions but were a major influence on the establishment of art and science institutions. The printed words and images of such compendiums brought the world closer. Travel logs and text printed describing other worlds would have had an impact on migration and travel for adventure. No doubt propaganda and embellishment would have also been a common feature of these communications. These not being a modern occurrence, but even realistic renditions may not have been believed when in printed form, the Platypus and Rhinoceros being examples.