9
Samantha Knapton, Allie Butterfield, Lindsay Brenner, Keegan Burch, and Samuel Kfoury
Introduction
The historical development of print media describes how the media came to be in the present day. Print media weren’t always like they are now; only those in power would have access to books. Newspapers would only be read by those who had the privilege of knowing how to read—which wasn’t very many people. Magazines were only published on high quality paper instead of online. In this chapter, we look at the historical development of magazines, newspapers, and books, in that order. From the early “public news banners” that came before newspapers to the revelation of the first eBooks, there is much to learn in the next few sections.
The History of Books
Before there were books, there were storytellers who passed on the best of tales through word of mouth. Storytelling, was usually done by elders as a way for stories to get around and be remembered. It wasn’t until five thousand years ago or so that the Egyptians and Babylons, started to become interested in the use of written text or symbols.
The first “books” ever recorded were made from wooden planks with hand drawn symbols that were compressed into clay tablets; this took place around 2400 B.C.E. It would be quite a while after this until books took another turn of development.
Between the years 400 – 1500 C.E., Manuscript Culture was born. Manuscript Culture was a time when books became handcrafted works of art rather than simple pieces of information. They were individually hand drawn and painted with the most intricate of designs. This was specifically true for Illuminated Manuscripts, with their vivid images of bright color and patterns. During this time, dedication, money, and time was put into making these. They were usually owned by the wealthy or churches. Priests/Monks were better known for this practice and became some of the world’s first editors, also known as “scribes”.
During the third century, there came block printing and movable type. Block printing was a process developed by the Chinese used for newspapers, magazines, and books in more modern times. It consisted of sheets of paper being pressed with books of inked wood. Many of these wooden blocks had raised surfaces or imprinted letters and symbol put there by hand, and with it, China’s Diamond Sutra, by Wang Chieh, 868 C.E. was popularized and reproduced throughout the Chinese nation. Block Printing was also used for newspapers, magazines, and books during the twentieth century. The first block printing machine was brought to Europe by Marco Polo in 1295 A.D. However, the first European block-books were not made until the 1400s.
Although, printing was taken into consideration again and changed and renewed with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, between 1453 and 1456 AD. It`s design was inspired by wine presses and was used to create two hundred copies of the Latin Bible. By using vellum, a half skin-based