A History of Printing
The history of printing is an intricate tale that goes back more than 5,000 years. Printing in its most basic form, and the complexities of modern age printing, together weave a history that is linked strongly with the humanity and culture. The most basic of printing processes was the duplication of seals and images such as those found in royal rings and printed onto clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia.
However, the first revolution in the beginnings of printing was called block printing. This method can be found in various surviving documents in many countries around the world such as China, India, and in Egypt. Although many ancient civilizations utilized this technique, it is widely believed to have originated in China during the Han dynasty. At first it was used to produce text onto cloth such as silk but was later adapted by Buddhists as a manner in which to spread charms and sutras on paper. Egypt would also use this method later. The first evidence of block printing in Egypt dates to the early fourth century. Block printing on cloth would become commonplace in Christian Europe by the 13th century. Later this technique would be overtaken by the stencil technique, although this was short-lived.
The next revolution in printing would come with the introduction of movable type. The first working model was created in China in 1040 A.D. This would be followed by the first metal movable type in Korea. Although revolutionary, it was expensive and difficult to manipulate the ceramic and metal tablets that this process used.
It would not be until the year 1450 that a solution would come about in Europe. Johannes Gutenberg is credited as the inventor of the printing press. This single invention is considered by many historians to be the most important invention in cultural history. Gutenberg's invention would usher in Europe's age of printing. The printing press revolutionized printing by allowing for faster and cheaper dissemination of knowledge to the masses. Before this revolution very few people, usually rich and nobles, owned books.
The printing press would continue to be refined in the following centuries which allowed for more efficient variations as well as cheaper methods. Slowly, speed would also be improved setting up the stage for mass printing in printing houses and later for commercializing of newspapers in modern times.
Today printing has continued to be as influential as it has been for more than six centuries. The future of printing is one that has slowly turned from physical form to a more digital process that will surely be just as important for us as the first revolutions in printing have been.
However, the first revolution in the beginnings of printing was called block printing. This method can be found in various surviving documents in many countries around the world such as China, India, and in Egypt. Although many ancient civilizations utilized this technique, it is widely believed to have originated in China during the Han dynasty. At first it was used to produce text onto cloth such as silk but was later adapted by Buddhists as a manner in which to spread charms and sutras on paper. Egypt would also use this method later. The first evidence of block printing in Egypt dates to the early fourth century. Block printing on cloth would become commonplace in Christian Europe by the 13th century. Later this technique would be overtaken by the stencil technique, although this was short-lived.
The next revolution in printing would come with the introduction of movable type. The first working model was created in China in 1040 A.D. This would be followed by the first metal movable type in Korea. Although revolutionary, it was expensive and difficult to manipulate the ceramic and metal tablets that this process used.
It would not be until the year 1450 that a solution would come about in Europe. Johannes Gutenberg is credited as the inventor of the printing press. This single invention is considered by many historians to be the most important invention in cultural history. Gutenberg's invention would usher in Europe's age of printing. The printing press revolutionized printing by allowing for faster and cheaper dissemination of knowledge to the masses. Before this revolution very few people, usually rich and nobles, owned books.
The printing press would continue to be refined in the following centuries which allowed for more efficient variations as well as cheaper methods. Slowly, speed would also be improved setting up the stage for mass printing in printing houses and later for commercializing of newspapers in modern times.
Today printing has continued to be as influential as it has been for more than six centuries. The future of printing is one that has slowly turned from physical form to a more digital process that will surely be just as important for us as the first revolutions in printing have been.
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